IT Programme Manager in Milton Keynes

Group IT are recruiting for an IT Programme Manager (known internally as IT Portfolio Delivery Manager) on a full‑time permanent basis. Accountable for the overall coordination and successful delivery of a £3-4 million IT project portfolio, including initiatives across security and lifecycle management of IT services. You will lead a team of IT Project Managers through effective line management and ensure projects are delivered to agreed scope, quality, timescales and budget. The role operates in a multi‑supplier environment and reports directly to the Head of Portfolio Delivery. You will advance the maturity of the IT Portfolio in line with established frameworks, strengthening governance, reporting and delivery assurance. You will drive continuous service improvement across the portfolio, proactively managing dependencies, risks and change impacts, and ensuring the portfolio remains aligned to strategic objectives and delivers measurable business value.

The automotive industry is transforming. The rise of EVs, increased connectivity, shared mobility, changing customer expectations, and the technological revolution have brought a raft of new challenges. The scale of this shift in the way we work means a new focus for IT professionals who are tasked with delivering business change to match Volkswagen Group's ambitious strategy. We’re providing innovative solutions, maintaining applications, and optimising security. We are experts in our business processes and systems, and leaders of vast transformation programmes. We are responsible for projects right across Volkswagen Group UK, so you’ll find the work varied and challenging, and there’s plenty of opportunity to spread your wings and become involved in more initiatives.

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of IT projects within a portfolio valued at £3-4 million, ensuring clear plans, controls and outcomes.
• Provide line management, coaching and development for IT Project Managers, ensuring effective allocation, capability growth and consistent delivery standards.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships (including Product Owners and IT leadership) to support prioritisation, decision‑making and robust governance.
• Manage internal resources and multiple external suppliers across the delivery lifecycle, maintaining clear accountability, performance and delivery quality.
• Ensure strong delivery controls and reporting so commitments are met across scope, schedule, quality, risk and budget.
• Support the Head of Portfolio Delivery with accurate financial forecasting/reporting and effective stakeholder communications.

• Experience delivering architecture‑led change from discovery/options appraisal through solution design, build, test, and transition to BAU.
• Strong understanding of delivery across a hybrid technology estate (cloud/SaaS and on‑premises), including upgrades, migrations, decommissioning, and environment readiness.
• Comfortable working with Enterprise/Solution Architects and navigating design governance (e.g., architecture review boards/design authority), ensuring standards, decisions and exceptions are documented and approved.
• Able to manage technical dependencies and controls including non‑functional requirements (security, resilience, performance), integration impacts, and technical RAID across multiple teams/suppliers.
• Experience planning cutover and service transition (release approach, rollback, hypercare, operational acceptance), using ITIL‑aligned change, release and configuration management practices.

• Proven experience in managing complex projects using Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Formal training in project and programme management, including financial management.
• Strong experience managing cross‑functional teams and multiple external delivery partners.

• Ability to influence at senior management level and lead effectively at operational level.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.

• Proactive, pragmatic, diplomatic and solution‑oriented.
• Highly skilled in managing commercial and stakeholder relationships within complex, enterprise‑scale environments.

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 × life assurance & health & wellbeing support, we also offer a wide range of flexible benefits to suit you and your lifestyle. In Group IT, we have an inclusive culture, built on diversity, difference and friendship that inspires us all. What really sets us apart is how we work – not how many vehicles we sell. We learn from each other, encourage each other, and regularly challenge each other to think differently. Our people have a true passion for what they do, a genuine desire to go further for customers and to give their own careers real momentum at the same time.