At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative programmes and drive impactful change across the firm.
- Company: Join Osborne Clarke, a dynamic international legal practice with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous benefits, and a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values individuality and fosters professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of legal services while making a real difference in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in programme management and a passion for driving business outcomes.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Role profile
Osborne Clarke are recruiting for a Programme Manager to join our Change & Transformation team on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.
This leadership role will be pivotal in shaping and delivering firm-wide transformation programmes, ensuring they deliver tangible financial and non-financial outcomes and business benefits aligned to Osborne Clarke’s strategic vision and goals.
This is a full-time, permanent position at any UK office, with travel expected as required, both within the UK and internationally.
The role
The Programme Manager will be a key member of our Change & Transformation function, promoting collaboration, effective team working and innovation across the firm.
You will take end-to-end ownership of complex, business-wide programmes and, where required, significant projects of strategic benefit to Osborne Clarke.
Working Closely With The Head Of Portfolio & Delivery, Director Of Change & Transformation, Head Of Change Management, BA Lead, PMO Manager, Programme Sponsors And Key International Business Stakeholders, You Will
- Shape programmes and establish appropriate governance to support effective decision-making and delivery.
- Coordinate the drafting of business cases, considering the holistic people, process and technology changes required.
- Develop and manage integrated programme plans, managing inter-dependencies, milestones and the critical path.
- Proactively identify and manage risks and issues, and ensure timely escalation where appropriate.
- Monitor programme delivery against approved timelines and budgets.
- Coach, motivate and supervise programme delivery teams, including third parties, through matrix management.
Alongside these responsibilities, you will support Osborne Clarke and Business Services in delivering consistently excellent services to our clients, and promote a culture of mutual understanding through effective communication across the business.
- Other Key Responsibilities Include
- Programme Leadership & Governance
- Direct and manage key transformation programmes from beginning to end, ensuring programme outcomes align with Osborne Clarke’s strategic vision and goals.
- Shape the programme structure and establish appropriate governance, controls and reporting mechanisms.
- Support the coordination and drafting of robust business cases, ensuring clear articulation of strategic goals, expected benefits and required changes across people, process and technology.
- Develop budget proposals and manage subsequent budget changes where necessary, determining the appropriate type of spend.
- Planning, Delivery & Risk Management
- Develop and manage full-scale, integrated programme plans, including: Identification and management of inter-dependencies with other programmes, integration of milestones from projects within each programme and Management of the critical path to ensure delivery of key outcomes.
- Proactively identify and manage key programme risks and issues, implementing effective mitigation plans and escalating as appropriate.
- Ongoing monitoring of programmes to ensure delivery against approved timelines and budgets.
- Prepare and deliver programme and project progress reports, proposals and presentations to governance forums and stakeholders to support timely, informed decision-making.
- Stakeholder Management & Team Leadership
- Matrix manage project managers, senior project managers and other resources assigned to the programme.
- Work with technical specialists across different departments to ensure programmes and projects have access to the resources required for successful delivery.
- Coach, motivate and supervise programme delivery teams (including third parties), influencing them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with programme sponsors and key stakeholders, including at C-suite level, to ensure programmes remain aligned to business priorities and deliver sustainable change.
- Methodology, Change & Continuous Improvement
- Where required, directly manage significant and complex projects of strategic benefit to the organisation.
- Contribute to updates to our methodology and governance, sharing expertise and experience with the wider department.
- Champion the critical role of change management and benefits management alongside programme and project management, to ensure changes are embedded and deliver sustainable business outcomes.
- We Are Looking For
- Proven experience as a Programme Manager, with a strong track record of delivering tangible financial and non-financial outcomes for the business.
- Demonstrable experience shaping and managing complex, business-wide change and transformation programmes, supported by recognised programme management qualifications (e. g. MSP).
- A laser focus on delivering tangible business outcomes, with a clear understanding of how change fits into the broader business agenda.
- A high level of technical expertise in portfolio and programme management, and a full understanding of the programme life cycle.
- An acute appreciation that successfully managing change requires effective use of programme methodologies to deliver outputs that translate into real business benefits and outcomes.
- A collaborative and constructive mind‑set, with a strong focus on problem solving and navigating ambiguity.
- Experience within the professional services / legal sector, or the ability to adjust to a complex Partnership environment, which is critical for success in this role.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience of engaging with and challenging C‑suite stakeholders.
- The ability to build and manage high‑performing teams and create a sense of community amongst often disparate project team members.
- An approach that recognises the criticality of change management and benefits management, alongside programme and project management, in successfully delivering sustainable business change.
Salary And Benefits
We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits. We value the health and wellbeing of our people and our wide range of initiatives and benefits support this.
Our recruitment process
Please note that although we include closing dates for our roles as a guide, we review and progress applications on a rolling basis.
At Osborne Clarke we do not make any recruitment decisions using automated decision-making.
We are committed to providing an environment where you can perform to the best of your abilities at every stage of your recruitment experience and beyond.
If you require any adjustments to be made during the application stage, interview process, or when working with us, please let us know in confidence.
About Us
Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 330 Partners and more than 1,260 talented lawyers in 26 locations*.
Our sector-based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow.
Advising them both comprehensively and commercially.
We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors.
And our unique approachable culture is not an added extra, it's fundamental to our success.
At Osborne Clarke we value difference and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networks - not to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality.
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Programme Manager - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract employer: Osborne Clarke
Osborne Clarke is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to professional growth, this role as Strategic Talent Development Lead provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the development of legal professionals in a supportive environment. The blend of office and home working ensures a healthy work-life balance, making it an attractive choice for those seeking rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
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We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
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 Osborne Clarke and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Osborne Clarke
✨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 Osborne Clarke 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 Osborne Clarke.
✨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 Osborne Clarke.
✨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 Osborne Clarke. 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.
