At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead delivery of financial services initiatives and optimise programmes for maximum impact.
- Company: Join The Very Group, a family-focused company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a £1000 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by driving excellence in delivery and fostering a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex projects and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
We are The Very Group, and we're here to help families get more out of life. We know our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love.
About the role
We’re looking for a Senior Delivery Manager to lead the end‑to‑end delivery of medium to large initiatives and optimisation programmes within Financial Services while also ensuring small change and BAU land smoothly. You’ll drive delivery excellence, foster a high‑performing culture, and embed continuous improvement. You’ll manage complex, high‑risk products and services, orchestrating multi‑disciplinary teams (including third parties) to deliver on time, on cost, and with quality—unlocking value early and often.
Team Leadership and Delivery
- Lead cross‑disciplinary delivery teams (direct, matrix, and third parties) to deliver outcomes on time, to budget, and to the right standard for our customers
- Facilitate squad ceremonies (stand‑ups, planning, reviews, retrospectives) and remove blockers
- Create and manage delivery plans; align dependencies across squads and initiatives
- Partner with Product and Engineering on roadmaps; refine and prioritise backlogs with Product Managers and Business Analysts
- Coach teams to ship high‑quality solutions regularly and predictably, using metrics to drive continuous improvement
- Role‑model excellent delivery principles and a culture of performance, accountability and learning
Planning and Prioritisation
- Lead planning cycles across squads and contribute to quarterly/portfolio planning
- Balance technical and product priorities across multiple roadmaps to maximise value delivery
Risk, Issues and Dependency Management
- Proactively identify and manage risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies affecting delivery and benefits realisation
- Escalate appropriately through Portfolio Management and portfolio governance where needed
Governance and Change Control
- Build and run fit‑for‑purpose governance across projects, small change and BAU in liaison with portfolio governance (ePMO)
- Ensure decisions are documented with the right level of sign‑off
- Keep delivery in scope; manage change requests and surface impacts early
Resource and Capacity Management
- Manage squad capacity and align resources to priorities; resolve bottlenecks with the Portfolio Manager
- Coordinate internal teams and partners to maintain flow across services and squads
Financial Management
- Manage squad/initiative budgets; track spend and hold regular cost reviews, escalating issues as required
- Input into business cases and benefits tracking; support investment decisions with clear advice and data
- Report on productivity and flow metrics (value delivered, burndown, cycle time, lead time)
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, Heads of Product, Heads of Tech and delivery teams
- Provide clear, timely updates on progress, risks and changes to portfolio governance and business stakeholders
- Foster a high‑trust, collaborative culture across internal teams and external partners
Change Management and Transition
- Ensure effective transition of changes into BAU with a focus on adoption, stability and measured benefits
Reporting and MI
- Provide regular initiative and roadmap reporting, highlighting risks and mitigations
- Deliver accurate, timely reporting on KPIs and delivery metrics to drive decisions
About you
- A proven ability to govern large, complex, and cross‑functional initiatives
- Good commercial and financial acumen
- Proficient in Agile, waterfall and Hybrid delivery models
- Strong grasp of Kanban
- Good capacity planning
- Can recognise when something does not work and encourage a mindset of experimentation
- Able to listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders and interpret them
- A bias towards action, always finding ways to remove barriers to rapid delivery
- Strong stakeholder and 3rd party management skills
- Manages stakeholder expectations and facilitate discussions about high risk and complexity even within constrained timescales
- Actively addresses the most complicated risks, issues and dependencies including where ownership exists outside the team or no clear ownership exists
- Can identify dependencies in plans across services and coordinate delivery
- Engages colleagues with enthusiasm and commitment; brings people together to form a motivated team; knows how to optimise the delivery flow of teams, managing the pace and tempo
- Fully understands the environment they work in and can prioritise the most important or highest value tasks
- Has the ability to reflect and be resilient
- Clear, concise communication; strong facilitation and negotiation
Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
- £1000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- LinkedIn learning access
- Bonus potential (performance and business‑related)
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
Equal opportunities
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Senior Delivery Manager - Financial Services employer: The Very Group
At The Very Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a flexible hybrid working model that supports work-life balance while fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through access to LinkedIn learning and a generous benefits package, including a £1000 flexible benefits allowance and up to 30 days of holiday. Join us in our mission to help families thrive, where your contributions will be valued and rewarded in a dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and delivery excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Delivery Manager - Financial Services
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like The Very Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Delivery Manager - Financial Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to The Very Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on The Very Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Very Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with The Very Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at The Very Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former The Very Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.