Senior Project Manager in Leeds

Leeds | Hybrid Working (3 Days in Office) | Permanent | Lead Transformation. Influence Strategy. Deliver Real Business Change.

At Markel, we’re looking for an experienced Senior Business Change Project Manager to join our UK Business Change team and lead some of the most strategic, high‑profile change initiatives across the business. This is more than a project management role. You’ll be responsible for delivering complex business change programmes that directly support growth, operational excellence, new product development, digital transformation, automation, and international expansion. You’ll work with Executive Sponsors, senior leaders, technology teams, and external vendors to turn ambitious ideas into successful business outcomes. If you’re someone who thrives in complex stakeholder environments, enjoys solving challenging business problems, and wants to make a visible impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Join Markel?

• Deliver business‑critical change across a growing organisation
• Work directly with Executive partners and decision‑makers
• Lead projects that genuinely influence the future direction of the business
• Be part of a collaborative, supportive team with a strong culture and reputation for delivery
• Enjoy the autonomy and trust to own complex programmes from inception through to implementation

What You’ll Be Working On:

You’ll lead a diverse portfolio of strategic business change initiatives, including:

• New product launches and product development programmes
• Operational efficiency and process improvement projects
• Automation, AI and digital transformation initiatives
• Workflow and business process redesign
• Technology‑enabled business change
• Claims and policy platform enhancements
• International business growth and expansion projects
• Vendor‑led system implementation programmes

Typically, you’ll lead multiple concurrent projects, balancing delivery, governance, collaborator engagement, budget control, and business readiness activities.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the delivery of complex business change projects from initiation through to implementation
• Chair Project Working Groups and Steering Committees
• Build strong relationships with Executive Sponsors and senior partners
• Lead project governance, reporting, RAID logs, and project controls
• Create and maintain detailed project plans and delivery roadmaps
• Handle budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting
• Work closely with Business Analysts, SMEs, Technology teams, Solutions Architects, and external vendors
• Drive decision‑making, challenge constructively, and ensure accountability across project teams
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for a confident and credible senior project professional who can operate effectively with partners at every level of the organisation.

• Minimum 10 years' Project Management experience
• Consistent record delivering complex business change projects
• Experience working in regulated environments
• Experience running project budgets, forecasting and financial reporting
• Vendor and third‑party supplier management experience
• Strong governance, risk and issue management expertise
• Experience running Steering Committees and governance forums
• Demonstrable ability to influence decisions and drive outcomes

Ideally You’ll Come From:

• Insurance
• Banking
• Another highly regulated sector

Insurance experience would be highly advantageous but is not essential.

Qualifications:

• APM Qualification or equivalent recognised Project Management certification.

Methodologies:

You’ll have experience working across both and understand how to apply the right approach for the project and participant landscape.

A natural relationship builder

Comfortable challenging senior team members when needed

A confident communicator and presenter

Commercially aware and outcome‑focused

Highly organised and resilient

Collaborative, approachable and team‑oriented

Someone who enjoys getting stuck in and helping colleagues succeed

Location & Hybrid Working:

This role is based in Leeds, with hybrid working arrangements. You’ll be expected to attend the Leeds office three days per week, including Thursdays, with some UK travel as required. We’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates already based within reasonable commuting distance of Leeds.

What You’ll Receive:

In return, we offer:

• Great salary + 25% annual bonus opportunity
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Travel insurance
• Season ticket loan
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.

Ready to Help Shape What's Next?

If you’re an experienced Senior Project Manager looking for a role where you can influence strategic decisions, deliver meaningful change, and work with dedicated people across a growing international business, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.