At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major programmes, driving transformational change and delivering impactful outcomes.
- Company: Join Turner & Townsend, a leader in delivering ambitious Net Zero programmes globally.
- Benefits: Flexible working, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the world while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale programmes and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Company Description
At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realise their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. For 75 years we have been leading the delivery of major transformational programmes. Our success at realising outcomes for clients has resulted in significant growth. Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious Net Zero programmes from over 110 offices worldwide.
Further to this success we are now facing a new wave of growth to achieve our ambitious 2025 vision. To achieve this, we need great people who are passionate about both delivering great outcomes to our clients and contributing to our future vision. This is made entirely possible through our entrepreneurial culture, allowing employees of all levels to directly influence the business and to own their career.
The world is changing, and we have a responsibility to support that change, helping drive it and be part of it. Through the commitment, capability and care our team brings, we build trust between clients, suppliers, governments, and society. Delivering better outcomes that have a positive impact on the world around us. We work smarter to face the challenges of the future; bringing the clarity that helps teams realise their full potential across the real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors. It’s how we’ve made the difference for 75 years. Transforming performance for a green, inclusive and productive world.
Job Description
As a Major Programmes Lead / Senior Programme Director or Programme Management Office Director, you will have experience in playing pivotal roles in £500m+ major capital programmes, across complex construction environments within sectors such as Central Government, Industrial, Life Sciences, Data Centres and Defence.
You provide strategic leadership as a credible and accomplished programme delivery professional with a proven track record of delivering large-scale, high-value investments. You bring deep construction expertise, with the ability to operate seamlessly between strategic programme leadership and project-level detail, influencing key stakeholders and driving critical investment decisions.
Accountable for end-to-end programme delivery, you lead programmes from early-stage definition and mobilisation through execution, transition and benefits realisation. Working across multi-disciplinary teams and complex stakeholder environments, you provide the leadership, governance and commercial acumen required to deliver successful outcomes with clarity, control and confidence for our clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Portfolio & Strategic Thinking: Define and champion the programme vision, ensuring alignment with client business objectives and investment strategies. Lead the successful delivery of major, complex capital programmes across the full lifecycle, from business case development and mobilisation through execution, transition and benefits realisation.
- Executive Leadership: Provide visible and credible leadership across multidisciplinary teams, creating a high-performance delivery culture. Establish and lead programme management and control frameworks that provide clear governance, accountability, transparency and confidence throughout programme delivery.
- C-Suite Stakeholder Influencing and Engagement: Implement a structured stakeholder engagement and management process, building strong relationships with senior clients (C-Suite), Boards, Steering Groups, Investors and supplier stakeholders. Build trusted relationships with C-suite executives, Boards, Steering Committees, investors, delivery partners and key stakeholders. Influence strategic decision-making, secure stakeholder alignment and effectively navigate complex governance and organisational environments.
- Commercial & Financial Stewardship: Maintain overall accountability for programme commercial performance and financial governance. Oversee forecasting, reporting, investment controls and value management, ensuring informed decision-making and delivery of agreed business outcomes.
- Risk Strategy, Health & Safety Leadership: Identify and mitigate health and safety risks, enforcing safeguards to protect all involved in programme delivery. Lead the development and implementation of programme-wide risk management and assurance strategies. Champion a culture of safety, wellbeing and compliance, ensuring effective controls are in place to protect people, assets and programme objectives.
- Governance and Delivery Leadership: Design and implement robust governance, reporting and assurance frameworks that support effective programme oversight and delivery. Ensure compliance with organisational, contractual and regulatory requirements while maintaining stakeholder confidence and supporting informed executive decision-making.
- Commission Management and Business Development: Lead the successful commercial and contractual management of commissions, ensuring delivery excellence, client satisfaction and achievement of performance objectives. Develop trusted client partnerships, identify strategic growth opportunities and actively contribute to business development and market expansion activities.
- People & Culture: Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture across internal and client-facing teams. Build organisational capability through coaching, mentoring and talent development, while leading people management activities that support individual growth, team performance and the One Business culture.
Qualifications
This is a Director level role. To excel in this role, you will have:
- Proven experience delivering high-profile, large-scale, complex transformation/real estate programmes (£250-£500m+) with demonstrable achievement of tangible benefits and outcomes for clients/employers.
- Ability to prioritise and optimise complex programmes, responding to internal and external influences over the programme lifecycle.
- Strong project delivery background with progression into programme leadership within a construction environment.
- Experience leading and integrating large multidisciplinary teams including project management, project controls, technical and commercial teams.
- Strong understanding and practical application of construction project delivery models, procurement routes and contracts (NEC, JCT).
- Excellent understanding of project controls methodologies and application including schedule management, cost control and risk and opportunity management at a project and programme level.
- Experience operating at C-suite level – demonstrating exceptional communication skills including presentation of data to influence outcomes.
- Supply chain management experience, specifically Tier 1 management.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with demonstrable experience in dealing with third parties and customers.
- An expert practitioner of industry best practice programme management methodologies, preferably within a real estate environment.
- Practical experience in establishing health and safety leadership activities and thorough understanding of legislative requirements including CDM and Building Safety Act.
- An experienced and first-class people manager, dedicated to nurturing talent within the organisation and supporting professional growth among clients’ teams.
- Demonstrate an understanding and application of digital tools and strategy, including the use of AI.
- Education to a degree/postgraduate/equivalent level in a relevant technical discipline (eg Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, MBA).
- Professional accreditation (eg. RICS, CIOB, APM).
- Health and Safety Qualification (eg IOSH, NEBOSH).
Additional Information
Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to effect change. We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive, and flexible working environment.
At Turner & Townsend, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sectors of the community, and we strongly believe that this diversity is what creates great solutions for our clients, bringing together people with different ideas and skills who want to push boundaries. In celebration of our diversity and to keep this agenda at the forefront of what we do, we have several internal networks, such as LGBT+, Diversity & Inclusion, and Race & Ethnicity which create a safe space for employees to express themselves and to drive change.
Major Programmes Lead / Senior Programme Director in London employer: TURNER & TOWNSEND
Turner & Townsend is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation across its global teams. With a commitment to employee growth, you will have access to training and development opportunities while working on impactful projects that improve lives. Located in a diverse and inclusive environment, this role as a Global Recruitment Operations Administrator allows you to contribute to a seamless hiring experience, making a meaningful difference in the recruitment process.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Major Programmes Lead / Senior Programme Director in London
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like TURNER & TOWNSEND, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Major Programmes Lead / Senior Programme Director at TURNER & TOWNSEND.
We think you need these skills to ace Major Programmes Lead / Senior Programme Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at TURNER & TOWNSEND
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
