At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver complex pension programmes while managing cross-functional teams.
- Company: A leading outsourcing and professional services company with over 50 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real difference in pension administration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of pension services and drive impactful transformation initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
A leading outsourcing and professional services company is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to deliver complex, high‑impact programmes across our growing Pension Solutions division. With over 50 years of experience administering and supporting pension schemes of all shapes and sizes, we help organisations navigate regulatory obligations, modernise legacy operations, and provide resilient, future‑ready pension services.
This is an exciting opportunity for a proven Programme Manager to lead multi‑project delivery within a portfolio that includes internal transformation, regulatory change, new client onboarding, and large‑scale improvements to pension administration processes and technology.
About the Role
As Programme Manager, you will lead a defined set of interdependent projects and associated business change activities. You will establish clear governance, manage risks and issues, and ensure the business is fully prepared for change. You’ll work across cross‑functional teams, often remotely, to deliver successful outcomes for both the organisation and its pension scheme clients. Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to motivate geographically dispersed teams are essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Programme Management
- Plan, design, and deliver programmes within a structured PM framework.
- Monitor and report progress through established governance processes.
- Map and manage programme dependencies.
- Oversee or contribute to business cases.
- Ensure operational and business readiness for cutover and ongoing delivery.
- Governance & Quality Assurance
- Manage risks, issues, and change controls.
- Ensure deliverables meet quality expectations.
- Align programme outcomes with strategic organisational goals.
- Work with project leads and Benefits Managers to track and realise benefits.
- Leadership & Resource Management
- Identify and coordinate required resources.
- Lead, motivate, and develop cross‑functional project teams.
- Provide coaching and support to direct reports.
- Stakeholder Management
- Build trusted relationships across internal teams and external pension clients.
- Communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Lead governance forums and ensure clear decision‑making.
Key Experience & Skills
- Proven experience delivering complex programmes within structured frameworks.
- Strong understanding of project and programme methodologies (Agile/Waterfall).
- Excellent leadership skills and the ability to drive performance across remote teams.
- Outstanding stakeholder management abilities, particularly with regulated pension clients.
- Strong analytical skills with proven experience managing risks, issues, and dependencies.
- Budget management and financial reporting experience.
- Experience working within contractual environments and supporting commercial negotiations.
- Understanding of the full requirements management lifecycle.
- High-quality reporting across RAID, milestones, finances, and resourcing.
- Ability to thrive under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
- Proficiency in MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint; experience with JIRA beneficial.
- Experience within Financial Services or regulated markets is advantageous.
Qualifications
- Essential: Programme and Project Management qualifications (PRINCE2, MSP, APM, PMI, or equivalent).
- Desirable: Agile/Scrum certification.
Why Join Us?
You’ll play a crucial role in shaping and delivering complex pension‑related programmes that directly support organisations and their members. This role offers the chance to influence major transformation initiatives, work with expert teams, and contribute to the future of pension administration and technology within a trusted, market‑leading provider.
Programme Manager (Pension Services) in Southampton employer: Lorien
As a leading outsourcing and professional services company, we pride ourselves on fostering a flexible and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our Programme Managers can lead impactful projects while enjoying the benefits of remote work. Join us to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to transforming pension services and making a meaningful difference in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager (Pension Services) in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the pension services sector and let them know you're on the lookout for Programme Manager roles. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their pension solutions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re all about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed remote teams and delivered complex programmes. Highlighting your ability to motivate and lead will resonate well with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better chance of getting noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager (Pension Services) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Programme Manager role. Highlight your experience with complex programmes and any relevant qualifications like PRINCE2 or Agile certifications. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about pension services and how your leadership skills can drive success in our projects. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:Since stakeholder management is key for this role, make sure to include examples of how you've built trusted relationships in previous positions. We love seeing how you’ve navigated challenges and delivered results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Know Your Programmes Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of a Programme Manager in Pension Services. Familiarise yourself with programme management frameworks like Agile and Waterfall, and be ready to discuss how you've successfully delivered complex programmes in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership abilities, especially in managing remote teams. Think about times when you motivated a geographically dispersed team or resolved conflicts. This will demonstrate your capability to lead cross-functional teams effectively.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Be ready to talk about your experience in building trusted relationships with stakeholders, particularly in regulated environments. Prepare specific examples of how you've communicated effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences to ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Expect questions about risk management and how you've handled issues in previous projects. Bring along examples of how you've mapped dependencies and ensured operational readiness for cutover. This will show your analytical prowess and ability to thrive under pressure.
