At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative programmes that shape the future and deliver real impact.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation committed to becoming the best large landlord.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, birthday leave, pension, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working environment with strong leadership and growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a difference in residents' lives while managing exciting, complex projects.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in digital programme management and industry qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 46200 - 63800 € per year.
The role is a Fixed Term Contract (until February 2028) located in Farringdon or Sittingbourne office, with the flexibility to work in a hybrid way.
Drive transformation at scale: Lead complex programmes that reshape our future. Join our Transformation team as a Programme Manager and play a critical role in delivering our multi-year transformation programme that will turn our ambitious plans into measurable outcomes for our residents.
Reporting to the Delivery & Resource Manager, you will lead complex, cross-cutting programmes end-to-end with strategic oversight, robust governance, and stakeholder engagement at every level. You will be responsible for coordinating multiple interconnected projects, managing dependencies, mitigating risks, and ensuring our transformation initiatives deliver real impact as we work toward becoming the best large landlord for repairs by 2027, achieving a C1 regulatory rating by 2028, and meeting the efficiency targets in our long-term financial plan.
You will manage a programme of works, providing direction and support to Project Managers, ensuring consistent governance, and maintaining clear visibility of progress, risks, and dependencies. You will be comfortable working in an agile, adaptive environment where priorities can shift, and you will use your strategic thinking to keep the programme on track even when circumstances change.
What You’ll Need:
- Solid experience within a digital programme and project management environment, with proven ability to deliver complex transformation programmes end-to-end.
- Experience in the delivery of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid methods of programme and project delivery, with ability to flex approach based on project needs.
- Experience in user-centred service design and its application to product delivery, understanding how to embed resident and user needs into transformation work.
- Ability to organise and deliver complex programmes and projects using various methods and tools (e.g. MS Project, DevOps, Miro or other collaboration platforms).
- Excellent logical and analytical problem-solving approach, with ability to navigate complexity, identify root causes, and develop strategic solutions.
- Financial control and management skills, including budget management, cost-benefit analysis, and resource planning.
- Strong leadership and relationship building skills, with demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, build consensus across diverse groups, and manage resistance to change.
Qualifications:
- Industry project management qualification such as Agile Practitioner, Scrum Master, Certified Product Owner, Prince2 Practitioner or Managing Successful Programmes (Essential).
Benefits:
As well as this extremely rewarding job, you will also have 27 days annual leave, an extra day leave to celebrate your birthday, company pension, access to private medical and continued development and career opportunities throughout your employment with Southern Housing.
Closing Date: 28th January 2026
Interviews: W/B 2nd February 2026
Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Programme Manager in London employer: Optivo
Join Southern Housing as a Programme Manager and be part of a transformative journey that not only reshapes our future but also enhances the lives of our residents. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and generous benefits including 27 days of annual leave plus a birthday day off, we offer a fulfilling environment where your contributions truly matter. Located in Farringdon or Sittingbourne, you will enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working while leading impactful programmes that drive real change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s transformation goals. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission to become the best large landlord for repairs by 2027.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. We want to hear about specific situations where you’ve led complex programmes and how you tackled challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can keep you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Programme Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex programmes and your familiarity with Agile and Waterfall methodologies. We want to see how your skills align with our transformation goals!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about leading transformation initiatives and how your past experiences have prepared you for this role. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight your analytical problem-solving approach. Share examples of how you've navigated complexity and developed strategic solutions in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the Programme Manager position. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optivo
✨Know Your Programmes
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of programme management. Familiarise yourself with the methodologies mentioned in the job description, like Agile and Waterfall. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully delivered complex transformation programmes in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and relationship-building skills. Think about times when you influenced senior stakeholders or built consensus among diverse groups. This will demonstrate your ability to manage resistance to change effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare to discuss how you navigate complexity and develop strategic solutions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Understand User-Centred Design
Since user-centred service design is crucial for this role, be prepared to talk about how you've embedded resident and user needs into your transformation work. Share specific examples that illustrate your understanding and application of this approach.
