At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead governance and planning for a major transformation programme while managing delivery activities.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive team focused on impactful resourcing solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in fast-paced, complex transformation settings.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a dynamic environment with hands-on delivery management.
- Qualifications: Experience in PMO, Agile methodologies, and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
- Governance & Planning Manager
- Grade: SEO
Contract: 6 months
Start Date: 1 September 2026
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Governance & Planning Manager to support a major transformation programme in a hybrid role combining PMO governance, programme planning and hands‑on delivery management.
This role will take responsibility for core programme governance activities, including maintaining the ADO plan, sprint planning, board and reporting packs, POAP management and RAID coordination, while also supporting the day‑to‑day delivery of individual implementations.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced PMO professional with previous Delivery Manager experience, able to balance strong governance and planning discipline with a practical, outcome‑focused approach to delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- PMO & Governance
- Manage and maintain the
ADO plan , ensuring delivery activity, milestones and dependencies are accurately reflected.
- Support and coordinate sprint planning and wider Agile planning activities.
- Develop high‑quality programme board packs, governance papers and reporting packs .
- Maintain the
Plan on a Page (POAP) and associated programme reporting.
- Support programme governance processes and ensure appropriate reporting and controls are maintained.
- Assist with external PMO activities, including
RAID management , dependency tracking and risk escalation.
- Maintain accurate programme plans, actions, decisions and governance records.
- Provide clear and concise reporting to senior stakeholders, highlighting progress, risks, dependencies and areas requiring intervention.
- Delivery Management
- Take responsibility for the day-to-day delivery of individual implementations .
- Coordinate delivery activity across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups.
- Track milestones, dependencies, risks and delivery outcomes to ensure implementation remains on track.
- Identify and remove blockers quickly, escalating issues where appropriate.
- Balance delivery pace with appropriate governance and control.
- Support Agile ceremonies and delivery forums where required.
- Ensure delivery activity remains focused on agreed outcomes, benefits and value.
Essential Knowledge & Experience
- Programme & Project Delivery
- Proven experience delivering programmes and projects in complex environments.
- Experience operating within
Agile delivery environments .
- Previous experience in a
PMO, Programme Management or Delivery Management capacity.
- Strong understanding of programme planning, delivery controls and governance.
- Agile Delivery
- Practical knowledge of Agile delivery methodologies including
Scrum, Kanban and Lean .
- Experience with sprint planning and backlog management .
- Understanding of iterative delivery techniques.
- Experience working within
Product Operating Models .
- Governance & Controls
- Strong experience managing
RAID .
- Experience producing delivery reporting and programme governance packs.
- Strong programme planning and control capabilities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective governance without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Stakeholder Management
- Ability to engage, influence and communicate effectively with multiple stakeholder groups.
- Experience facilitating workshops, governance meetings and delivery forums .
- Ability to manage competing priorities and stakeholder expectations.
- Proven ability to build effective cross‑functional relationships.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working on
Government Major Programmes .
- Previous experience delivering digital transformation programmes .
- Experience within estate or workplace transformation .
- Knowledge of the
DTa S Product Operating Model .
- Experience working within an
FCDO operating environment .
- Experience with
Agile at Scale , including SAFe, Scrum@Scale or equivalent approaches.
- Programme management qualifications such as
MSP, PRINCE2 Practitioner or Agile PM .
- Key Skills & Competencies
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Effective facilitator and communicator.
- Able to build trust quickly across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Comfortable working collaboratively across programme, product, technical and business teams.
- Delivery Focus
- Strong execution mindset with a focus on outcomes.
- Excellent prioritisation and planning skills.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous and fast‑moving environments .
- Focused on delivering measurable outcomes and value.
- Problem Solving
- Proactive approach to identifying and removing blockers.
- Able to balance delivery pace with appropriate governance.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
- Proactive approach to risk identification and management.
- Organisational Skills
- Excellent planning and coordination capability.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Able to manage multiple workstreams, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Comfortable working in fast‑paced transformation environments.
- Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will combine the governance discipline of a strong PMO professional with the hands‑on approach of an experienced Delivery Manager .
You will be comfortable managing programme governance and senior reporting while also getting into the detail of delivery, coordinating teams, resolving blockers and ensuring individual implementations progress successfully.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working across both strategic programme governance and practical day‑to‑day delivery , and who can bring structure, pace and accountability to a complex transformation environment.
Respect and equality are core values to us.
We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives.
Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.
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GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING MANAGER (PMO) - SC CLEARED employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
As a PAM Consultant with our esteemed consulting client, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. The company offers robust employee growth opportunities, including continuous training in cutting-edge security practices, while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that values every individual's contribution. Located in the UK, this role not only provides competitive benefits but also the chance to make a meaningful impact on clients' security postures through your expertise in Privileged Access Management.
Contact Details:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING MANAGER (PMO) - SC CLEARED
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
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✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
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We think you need these skills to ace GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING MANAGER (PMO) - SC CLEARED
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!
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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 Sanderson Government & Defence 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 Sanderson Government & Defence
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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 Sanderson Government & Defence will want to see.
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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 Sanderson Government & Defence.
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Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Sanderson Government & Defence. 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.
