At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Change team and oversee customer-funded initiatives in a secure defence environment.
- Company: Join a high-profile organisation delivering critical services to Government and Defence clients.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, car allowance, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Hybrid role with monthly travel; committed to diversity and equality in the workplace.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while shaping the future of change capabilities.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading change programmes and strong commercial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Change, Programme or Portfolio leader with a strong commercial mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional customer outcomes? We are looking for a Head of Change to lead a growing and high‑profile function responsible for delivering customer‑funded change across a complex portfolio within a secure defence environment. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the Change capability, leading a high‑performing team and driving both operational excellence and commercial success. Working within a highly trusted environment where Developed Vetting clearance is essential, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a business delivering critical services to Government and Defence clients. You will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on oversight, ensuring that change is delivered effectively, profitably and in line with customer expectations, while building strong, lasting relationships with stakeholders. This role is hybrid, with an expectation to travel to Gosport at least once a month.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading and developing a geographically dispersed Change team, driving performance, engagement and continuous improvement.
- Overseeing a portfolio of customer‑funded change initiatives, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality expectations.
- Owning senior customer relationships and acting as an escalation point for complex programme delivery issues.
- Driving strong governance, reporting and delivery disciplines across programmes and portfolios.
- Managing financial performance, including forecasting, revenue and margin accountability.
- Identifying opportunities to expand customer change requests into broader, more strategic programmes of work.
What you’ll bring:
- Proven experience leading teams delivering programmes, projects or change portfolios in customer‑facing environments.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience of financial management, forecasting and revenue delivery.
- Experience managing complex programmes with multiple workstreams and senior stakeholder engagement.
- Ability to build trusted customer relationships and navigate challenging delivery environments.
- Experience establishing and leading governance forums such as programme boards and steering committees.
- Strong use of data and performance insight to drive decision‑making and improve outcomes.
It would be great if you had:
- Experience leading Change or Programme Delivery functions within large, complex organisations.
- Experience working in outsourced, managed service or customer‑led delivery environments.
- Experience delivering technology‑enabled transformation programmes.
- Experience balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on operational delivery responsibilities.
Employment Type: Full‑time, Permanent.
Location: Gosport – hybrid working with monthly travel.
Security Clearance Level: Developed Vetting (DV).
Salary: £75,000 – £90,000.
Benefits: upto 10% bonus, £6,600 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.
We embrace difference as a source of creativity, innovation and competitive advantage and are striving to become a more diverse organisation. We welcome applications from people with a diverse variety of backgrounds and identities. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. We participate in the Disability Confident scheme and are committed to offering an interview to any candidate with a disability, who meets the minimum criteria for the role. If you believe this could apply to you, please let us know when completing your application.
Head of Change in Hampshire employer: Sopra Steria Ltd
Sopra Steria Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Gloucestershire where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to ongoing training and development opportunities, alongside the flexibility of working hours that promote a healthy work-life balance. Join a team that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations in the ever-evolving field of IT.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Change in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Change at Sopra Steria Ltd!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Sopra Steria Ltd or be willing to refer you for that Head of Change position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Sopra Steria Ltd who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Change star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Change role at Sopra Steria Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Change in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Sopra Steria Ltd. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria Ltd
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Sopra Steria Ltd. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
