At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and drive cross-functional execution at a senior level.
- Company: Join a dynamic team with a focus on impactful internal programmes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to influence key decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by managing critical projects that shape the organisation's future.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in programme delivery with strong governance and leadership skills.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Lead a portfolio of internal, strategically critical initiatives! This is a senior, highly visible individual contributor role, reporting directly into the Senior Leadership Team, with strong governance, delivery and senior stakeholder accountability expectations. This is an internal delivery and governance position rather than an interim transformation leadership role.
Responsibilities
- End to end ownership of multiple internal strategic programmes
- Driving cross functional execution and accountability at senior leadership level
- Establishing and maintaining robust programme governance (reporting, RAID, controls, success metrics)
- Clear, executive level communication to SLT
- Advisory input into PMO design and evolution
Requirements
- 10+ years in program/project portfolio delivery, with 5+ years running multi‑workstream, cross‑functional programs.
- Proven track record delivering internal, strategically critical initiatives (e.g., operating model changes, org readiness, risk/control uplift, enterprise tooling rollouts, cost-out/value creation programs).
- Experience reporting into or working directly with SLT/Exec and operating effectively in high‑stakes, ambiguous environments.
- Demonstrated governance leadership: designing and running PMO/portfolio controls, executive reporting, RAID, dependency & scope management, change control, and stage gates.
- Strong matrix leadership of senior stakeholders (Director/VP level) and cross‑functional squads without direct line authority.
- Comfortable switching between hands‑on delivery (plans, RAID, comms) and executive-level synthesis (concise options, recommendations, decision framing).
- Degree in Business, Engineering, or related.
- PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, MoP (Management of Portfolios), MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), or PgMP welcomed.
- Agile credentials (e.g., SAFe SPC/PMPO, A-CSM) helpful when interfacing with product/engineering.
- Lean/Six Sigma (for process/value stream efforts) is a plus.
Please note that this role is only open to people living within a reasonable commutable distance of Manchester, and those who have full UK right to work status.
Program Manager in Manchester employer: Lorien
Contact Detail:
Lorien Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Program Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone on the Senior Leadership Team. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the company's strategic initiatives. Show us you know what’s important to them and how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your examples to highlight your governance and delivery skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your executive-level communication! We want to see you articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you nail this down.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Program Manager. Highlight your experience with internal strategic initiatives and governance, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your 10+ years in program delivery and how you've successfully navigated high-stakes environments. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Governance Skills: Since this role involves strong governance, make sure to highlight your experience in designing and running PMO controls. Talk about your familiarity with reporting, RAID management, and how you've ensured accountability at senior levels in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Know Your Program Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your program management knowledge, especially around governance and delivery. Be ready to discuss your experience with multi-workstream projects and how you've successfully navigated complex environments.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority. Think of specific instances where you’ve driven accountability and cross-functional execution at the executive level.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since this role involves clear communication with the Senior Leadership Team, practice summarising complex information into concise, impactful messages. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Governance Expertise
Be ready to discuss your experience in designing and running PMO controls, including reporting and risk management. Highlight any frameworks or methodologies you’ve used, like Agile or Lean/Six Sigma, to show your versatility in managing programmes.