At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of a major IT transformation programme and manage complex dependencies.
- Company: Join Volkswagen Group, a leader in automotive innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey in the automotive industry with real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large-scale IT programmes and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
About The Role
Group IT are recruiting for an IT Programme Manager (known internally as Portfolio Delivery Manager) on a full-time permanent basis. Accountable for the overall coordination and successful delivery of a critical Group IT Transformation Programme designed to support Volkswagen Group UK’s move from legacy, mainframe capability to a centralised target landscape. You will lead the programme through key delivery phases, ensuring the solution is shaped around clear business outcomes, robust integration and data requirements, effective test and cutover planning, and strong transition into BAU. The role operates in a multi-supplier, multi-market environment and reports into the Senior Portfolio Manager. You will strengthen the maturity, governance and delivery assurance of the NADIN Programme in line with established frameworks. You will manage complex dependencies across VWG UK, Brands, Finance, Business process owners and external delivery partners, proactively controlling risk, change impacts, cost, quality and schedule so the programme remains aligned to strategic objectives and delivers measurable business value.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of the NADIN Programme, ensuring clear plans, milestones, governance, controls and outcomes across discovery, mobilisation, delivery and transition.
- Provide programme leadership and direction to project managers and workstream leads, ensuring effective allocation, capability, decision-making and consistent delivery standards.
- Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across all process owners, Group IT leadership, VW AG NADIN teams, Finance, Brands and operational teams to support prioritisation, escalation and robust governance.
- Manage internal resources and multiple external suppliers across the programme lifecycle, maintaining clear accountability, commercial discipline, performance management and delivery quality.
- Ensure strong delivery controls and reporting so commitments are met across scope, schedule, quality, risk, dependency, change, service transition and budget.
- Support the Head of Portfolio Delivery with accurate financial forecasting/reporting, executive communications, Programme Board materials and timely decision papers.
Skills & experience you can bring to the role:
Technical Expertise
- Experience delivering large-scale, architecture-led business and technology change from discovery/options appraisal through solution design, build, test, cutover and transition to BAU.
- Strong understanding of complex integration and data landscapes, ideally including legacy modernisation, SaaS/cloud and on-premises environments, interface dependency management, migrations, decommissioning and environment readiness.
- Comfortable working with Enterprise/Solution Architects and navigating design governance such as architecture review boards/design authority, ensuring standards, key decisions, exceptions and trade-offs are documented and approved.
- Able to manage technical dependencies and controls including non-functional requirements (security, resilience, performance), integration impacts, data migration, test readiness, defect management and technical RAID across multiple teams and suppliers.
- Experience planning cutover and service transition including release approach, rollback, hypercare, operational acceptance and ITIL-aligned change, release and configuration management practices.
- Experience in running largescale ERP transformation including Finance and accounting, Order Management, Procurement and Purchasing and Supply chain and inventory management.
Project & Portfolio Management
- Proven experience in managing complex programmes and projects using Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methodologies.
- Formal training in project and programme management, with strong financial management, forecasting, benefits tracking and governance experience.
- Strong experience managing cross-functional teams, programme boards, senior stakeholders and multiple external delivery partners in a complex enterprise environment.
Leadership & Communication
- Ability to influence at senior management and executive level, while leading effectively at operational and workstream level.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to turn complex programme issues into clear choices, recommendations and decision papers.
- Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and relationship-building skills across business, IT, Group, supplier and finance communities.
Personal Attributes
- Proactive, pragmatic, diplomatic and solution-oriented, with the resilience to lead through ambiguity and complex delivery challenges.
- Highly skilled in managing commercial, supplier and stakeholder relationships within complex, enterprise-scale transformation environments.
What can we offer you?
Along with a competitive salary, car schemes (including cars for family members), discretionary bonus, enhanced pension contributions, private healthcare, fuel card, 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, 4 x life assurance & health & wellbeing support, we also offer a wide range of flexible benefits to suit you and your lifestyle.
About Us
Volkswagen Group We’re driven by difference. With six big brands under one roof – each with its own history, designs and innovations – we’ve created some of the world’s most iconic vehicles, from luxury sports cars to family camper vans. Here, you’ll discover opportunities, explore ideas and tackle challenges that you won’t find anywhere else. It takes a range of teams to make the Group successful. We all share the same aim: to deliver sustainable mobility for generations to come, while keeping the customer and their changing demands at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a more exciting time to join our industry as it undergoes the biggest transformation for over 100 years. With digitalisation, electrification and driverless mobility all coming to the market, we’re actively looking for people with new skills, knowledge, and outlooks. A brave new world demands brave, new, diverse people; so whatever your background, we would love to hear from you. We know that different perspectives and thought processes are vital as our industry goes through an exciting period of change.
IT Programme Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Volkswagen Group UK
Volkswagen Group UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Milton Keynes where innovation and customer focus are at the forefront. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, comprehensive car schemes, and enhanced pension contributions, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. The collaborative culture encourages engagement with key stakeholders, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Programme Manager in Milton Keynes
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Volkswagen Group UK values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Volkswagen Group UK might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Volkswagen Group UK!
✨Direct Apply to Volkswagen Group UK
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Volkswagen Group UK website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Programme Manager in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Volkswagen Group UK.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Volkswagen Group UK. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Volkswagen Group UK
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
