Program Lead

Program Lead

Freelance Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead an AI-enabled HR transformation programme and drive complex 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 impactful leadership.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leading complex programmes and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and influence.

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

  • Essential Experience
    • 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 employer: Venturi

As a Programme Lead in our dynamic organisation, you will thrive in a supportive and innovative work culture that prioritises employee growth and collaboration. With a hybrid working model based in Leeds, we offer competitive day rates and the opportunity to lead transformative AI-enabled HR initiatives while building strong relationships with senior stakeholders. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a politically nuanced environment where your expertise will be valued and recognised.
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Contact Detail:

Venturi Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Program Lead

✨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 about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Programme Lead role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to programme management and AI transformation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources. The more comfortable you are discussing your experience, the more confident you'll appear to potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully led complex programmes and navigated organisational politics. This will demonstrate your capability to build trust and influence decisions, which is crucial for the Programme Lead position.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, what are you waiting for? Get your application in!

We think you need these skills to ace Program Lead

Programme Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement
Governance and Control
Risk Management
Financial Controls
AI-enabled Service Models
Data Analysis
Emotional Intelligence
Consultancy Skills
Problem Diagnosis
Collaboration
Change Management
Communication Skills
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Programme Lead role. Highlight your experience with AI-enabled transformations and complex programme management. We want to see how you’ve shaped visions and driven delivery in similar environments!

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 built trust with stakeholders and navigated organisational politics. We love a good story!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how you engage with diverse teams. We’re looking for someone who can bring structure and momentum to complex programmes, so don’t hold back on sharing your successes!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in directly!

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 components of the programme, including governance, risk management, and benefits realisation. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders

Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, practice how to establish trust quickly. Think of examples from your past where you've navigated complex relationships and influenced decisions without direct authority. Be ready to share these stories!

✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss how you've diagnosed problems and shaped solutions in previous roles. Use specific examples that highlight your consultancy-level skills and your ability to drive discovery and early delivery in a politically nuanced environment.

✨Showcase Your AI Knowledge

Brush up on your understanding of AI capabilities, data readiness, and governance. Be prepared to discuss how these elements play a role in HR transformation. This will show that you're not just a programme lead but also someone who can engage with technical and business stakeholders effectively.

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