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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful programmes and drive change in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Openwork, a leader in financial services with a focus on transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, generous holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your leadership skills in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
The opportunity
As Programme Director, you’ll be accountable for the successful delivery of Openwork’s most important strategic programmes, driving real change that enables our Value Creation Plan. You’ll lead complex, high‑impact programmes, motivate large cross‑functional teams, and provide strong leadership to Project Managers within the Change & Transformation function. You’ll also help shape the culture, capability and ways of working of our Change team by leading one or more 'practice' pillars. This role is hybrid working, 3 days a week from the Swindon office.
The benefits
- Salary - ÂŁ65,000 to ÂŁ84,000
- Bonus scheme - on target bonus - 15%
- Pension scheme - contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%
- Critical illness cover
- Income protection - 1x salary
- Death in service - 4x salary
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days
- A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.
Key Accountabilities
- Programme Delivery
- Own the end‑to‑end delivery of key strategic programmes, ensuring intended benefits are realised
- Mobilise programmes with clear objectives, governance, KPIs, resource plans and delivery roadmaps
- Lead delivery across all phases, applying best‑practice frameworks, controls and reporting
- Proactively manage budgets, RAIDDs, risks, issues and dependencies
- Act as the primary point of contact for programme delivery across business, product and technology
- Remove delivery blockers and keep Executive sponsors informed, escalating issues promptly
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, motivate and support large cross‑functional programme and project teams
- Create a collaborative, high‑performance environment with effective communication and knowledge sharing
- Address issues and conflicts constructively to maintain delivery momentum
- Cross‑Portfolio Management
- Manage inter‑programme dependencies, sequencing and conflicts across the change portfolio
- Build strong partnerships with other Programme Directors and contribute to portfolio‑level planning
- Change & Transformation Leadership
- Lead and line‑manage Project Managers and other Change delivery resources
- Drive capability uplift, continuous improvement and best practice across the function
- Improve tools, processes and ways of working, and support the adoption of change standards
- Actively contribute to a positive, ambitious and inclusive Change & Transformation culture
What will you need to succeed?
Experience & Qualifications
- Significant programme management experience, ideally within financial services
- Proven delivery of complex, multi‑stream programmes in fast‑paced, transforming organisations
- Comfortable operating with ambiguity and managing significant programme budgets
- Project management qualification (e.g. APM, PMP, PRINCE2) advantageous
Knowledge
- Strong track record of delivering complex programmes on time, within budget and to agreed outcomes
- Deep understanding of programme lifecycles, change frameworks, tools and techniques
- Experience prioritising change and managing budgets and resources at scale
Skills & Competencies
- Delivery‑focused leader with strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Able to lead large, cross‑functional teams and influence senior stakeholders
- Highly analytical with strong problem‑solving, decision‑making and critical‑thinking skills
- Confident in managing risk, budgets and delivery plans
- Skilled in negotiation and conflict management
- Organised, adaptable and resilient, with a continuous improvement mindset
- Expertise in project management tools (e.g. MS Project)
Programme Manager employer: The Openwork Partnership
Contact Detail:
The Openwork Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Programme Manager role.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and understanding their strategic programmes. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your experience in leading complex projects. Confidence is key, so show them you’re the right fit!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It’s a great way to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. We believe this small gesture can make a big difference in keeping you top of mind for the hiring team.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a Programme Manager position that excites you, apply through our website! It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our Change & Transformation team!
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Programme Manager role. Highlight your experience in delivering complex programmes and managing cross-functional teams. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about leading change and transformation. Share specific examples of how you've driven successful outcomes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can motivate and lead teams effectively. In your application, highlight instances where you’ve successfully led large teams or managed conflicts. This will help us see your leadership style in action!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Openwork Partnership
✨Know Your Programmes Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific programmes that the company is currently running. Understand their objectives, challenges, and how they align with the Value Creation Plan. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience can directly contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Programme Manager, your ability to lead and motivate teams is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve fostered collaboration and resolved conflicts to maintain momentum in projects.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you would handle ambiguity or manage significant programme budgets. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Understand Change Management Frameworks
Brush up on your knowledge of change management frameworks and tools. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments. This will show that you’re not just familiar with theory but have practical experience in driving change effectively.