At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead governance and reporting for a complex operational transformation programme.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on large-scale operational change.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote/hybrid work, and fast-paced environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with high visibility and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by bringing clarity to complex projects and supporting executive teams.
- Qualifications: Strong PMO leadership experience and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 78000 £ per year.
Location: UK Remote / Hybrid (occasional travel)
Duration: 6 months initial
Rate: £675 per day (Inside IR35)
Start: ASAP
We’re supporting a large-scale operational transformation programme that needs serious structure, clarity and senior-level governance discipline. Great opportunity for someone who thrives in complexity, brings order to ambiguity, and ensures executive teams always have a clear, accurate view of what’s happening across a multi-workstream portfolio.
The Role
You’ll take ownership of programme governance and executive reporting across a complex operational landscape. Your focus will be making sure leadership teams have the visibility, prioritisation and decision support they need to keep a fast-moving programme aligned and on track. You’ll be the person who turns noise into clarity.
What you’ll be doing
- Running executive Steering Committees and governance forums
- Owning end-to-end programme reporting and decision logs
- Tracking actions, risks, dependencies and key decisions
- Maintaining portfolio-wide view of milestones, priorities and progress
- Coordinating inputs across multiple operational workstreams
- Supporting monthly business performance and leadership reviews
- Ensuring consistent governance cadence across all forums
- Maintaining roadmap and prioritisation views
- Driving follow-through on actions to closure
- Providing structure, challenge and clarity to senior stakeholders
- Supporting ad-hoc governance and reporting needs
What we’re looking for
- Strong PMO leadership or programme governance background
- Proven experience running executive forums (SteerCo / MBRs)
- Portfolio or programme-level reporting ownership
- Background in operational environments (logistics, supply chain, large-scale business ops etc.)
- Confident stakeholder management at Director / Exec level
- Highly structured, organised and detail-driven
- Comfortable operating in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
- Strong written reporting and executive communication skills
The environment
Fast-paced. High visibility. Lots of moving parts. You’ll succeed here if you naturally bring structure, ask the right questions, and don’t wait for clarity — you create it.
Next steps
Interviews are being arranged quickly. Candidates must be available within the coming weeks.
Program Manager in Chester employer: MRJ Recruitment
As a Programme Manager in our dynamic and fast-paced environment, you will thrive in a culture that values clarity, structure, and proactive problem-solving. We offer competitive rates, flexible remote/hybrid working options, and a commitment to your professional growth through exposure to senior leadership and complex operational challenges. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the unique advantages of working within a large-scale transformation programme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Program Manager in Chester
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like MRJ Recruitment. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at MRJ Recruitment.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at MRJ Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Program Manager in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at MRJ Recruitment and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at MRJ Recruitment
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like MRJ Recruitment will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to MRJ Recruitment.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at MRJ Recruitment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at MRJ Recruitment. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
