At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic technology programmes and drive innovation across the organisation.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a globally recognised news organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical cover, hybrid working, and opportunities for community engagement.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of journalism while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading complex technology programmes and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About Us
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
The Role
We're looking for an experienced Programmes Director to lead the governance, delivery and performance of the FT's strategic technology programme portfolio. This is a senior leadership role within Product & Technology, responsible for overseeing a portfolio of large-scale transformation programmes while ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and measurable business value. You'll work closely with senior business and technology leaders to shape investment decisions, drive delivery excellence and ensure strategic programmes remain aligned to organisational priorities. You'll provide leadership to a team of Project and Programme Managers, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and balance delivery rigour with the flexibility needed to support innovation across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a portfolio of strategic technology programmes, ensuring successful delivery against business objectives, budgets and expected outcomes.
- Provide leadership and matrix management to Project and Programme Managers, supporting capability development and delivery excellence.
- Establish and facilitate programme governance forums, steering groups and design authorities.
- Oversee programme financial management, business cases, value realisation and supplier performance.
- Partner with business and technology leaders to align transformation initiatives with organisational strategy.
- Champion programme and project management standards, coaching teams and implementing improvements where required.
- Lead organisational change activities to support successful adoption of new technologies, processes and operating models.
- Ensure programmes comply with governance, regulatory, architecture and security requirements.
- Identify, assess and mitigate programme risks while maintaining effective governance frameworks.
- Build strong relationships across Product, Technology and the wider business, providing clear updates and strategic advice to senior stakeholders.
Required Skills and Experience
- Significant experience leading complex portfolios of technology or digital transformation programmes.
- Proven track record managing multiple concurrent strategic programmes and delivering measurable business value.
- Experience leading Project and Programme Managers within a portfolio environment.
- Strong financial management skills, including investment oversight, ROI tracking and business case development.
- Experience working across Agile product development and structured programme delivery environments.
- Good understanding of enterprise technology, SaaS platforms, IT infrastructure and emerging technologies.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Strong leadership style focused on collaboration, coaching and delivery rather than command-and-control.
- Professional programme or project management certification (such as PMP, PRINCE2 or AgilePM) is desirable.
Desirable
- Experience leading CRM, ERP or Lead-to-Cash transformation programmes.
- Experience within media, publishing or subscription businesses.
- Experience operating in complex, federated organisations.
- Ability to balance delivery discipline with innovation in fast-paced environments.
What's in it for You?
Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.
We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.
Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, please email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Further Information
At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.
Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.
Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.
Programmes Director in London employer: The Financial Times
The Financial Times is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that fosters curiosity and ambition. As a Companies Writer for Investors Chronicle, you'll have the opportunity to engage with a diverse community of experts, enjoy generous benefits including flexible working arrangements, and access numerous growth opportunities that empower you to shape your career in impactful journalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programmes Director in London
✨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 Programmes Director at The Financial Times!
✨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 The Financial Times or be willing to refer you for that Programmes Director 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 The Financial Times who’s on the lookout for their next Programmes Director 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 Programmes Director role at The Financial Times!
We think you need these skills to ace Programmes Director in London
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 The Financial Times. 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 The Financial Times
✨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!
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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 The Financial Times. 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!
