At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a transformative AI-enabled HR programme and drive impactful change.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on innovative HR solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and potential for extension.
- Why this job: Shape the future of HR with cutting-edge AI technology and strategic leadership.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading complex programmes and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth in a politically nuanced environment.
Day Rate: £600–£650 per day (Inside IR35)
Duration: 6 months (strong likelihood of extension)
Location: Hybrid – 1 day per week onsite in Leeds
The Opportunity
We're seeking an experienced Programme Lead to take ownership of a critical AI-enabled HR transformation programme. This is a hands-on, senior delivery role — ideal for someone who can quickly establish control, build trust with senior stakeholders, and lead complex change in a politically nuanced environment.
You'll be responsible for shaping the programme structure, driving discovery and early delivery, and ensuring strong governance, pace, and value realisation. The role requires confidence operating at senior levels, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to align HR, Digital/IT, and operational teams around a shared vision.
What You'll Be Doing
- Programme Leadership & Direction
- Shape and clarify the programme vision, roadmap, and success measures
- Define benefits, KPIs, risks, dependencies, and organisational impact
- Ensure alignment with organisational strategy, operating models, and AI governance
- Bring structure, focus, and momentum to a complex and evolving programme
- Senior Stakeholder Engagement
- Build trusted relationships across HR, Digital/IT, Operations, and senior leadership
- Navigate organisational politics with diplomacy and emotional intelligence
- Influence decisions without direct authority, aligning diverse perspectives
- Act as a calm, credible, and authoritative presence throughout delivery
- Discovery, Design & Early Delivery
- Lead discovery activities to understand current HR processes and pain points
- Drive the design and prototyping of AI-enabled HR journeys and service models
- Work closely with architects, product owners, AI engineers, and service designers
- Use insight and data to test hypotheses and identify high-value pilot opportunities
- Governance, Control & Delivery
- Establish and run programme governance, reporting, and decision forums
- Coordinate multiple workstreams, delivery teams, and suppliers
- Manage risk, scope, financial controls, and delivery dependencies
- Maintain business cases and track benefits to ensure programme viability
What You'll Bring
- Demonstrable experience leading large, complex programmes in enterprise or public-sector environments
- Highly credible and emotionally intelligent, with a track record of operating in politically complex organisations
- Strong programme management capability across governance, risk, finance, and benefits realisation
- Consultancy-level skills: able to diagnose problems quickly, generate insight, and shape pragmatic solutions
- Solid understanding of automation, workflow digitisation, and AI-enabled service models
- Confident discussing AI capability, data readiness, risks, and governance with both technical and business stakeholders
- A collaborative, inclusive leader who builds trust and followership quickly
Program Lead (England) employer: Venturi
Contact Detail:
Venturi Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Program Lead (England)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your experience. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of your past experiences that highlight your leadership and problem-solving abilities. This is your chance to shine and show how you can drive their AI-enabled HR transformation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you stand out. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company. Let’s get you that Programme Lead position!
We think you need these skills to ace Program Lead (England)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Programme Lead role. Highlight your experience in leading complex programmes and your ability to navigate political environments. 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 the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've shaped programme visions and built trust with stakeholders in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We’re looking for a collaborative leader, so don’t shy away from sharing your approach to building teams and driving change. Let us know how you’ve influenced decisions and aligned diverse perspectives in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venturi
✨Know Your Programme Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of AI-enabled HR transformation. Understand the key challenges and opportunities in this space. Being able to discuss current trends and how they relate to the role will show your genuine interest and expertise.
✨Build Your Stakeholder Strategy
Think about how you would engage with senior stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've built trust and navigated complex political environments in the past. This will demonstrate your emotional intelligence and ability to influence without direct authority.
✨Showcase Your Governance Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with programme governance, risk management, and financial controls. Prepare specific examples that highlight your capability in these areas, as they are crucial for ensuring the success of the programme.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Leadership
Think of instances where you've led diverse teams towards a common goal. Highlight your inclusive leadership style and how you've fostered collaboration among different departments, especially in complex projects involving HR, Digital/IT, and operations.