At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a major tech transformation, ensuring smooth adoption of new finance and ERP systems.
- Company: Join WPP, a global leader in marketing and technology innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a transformative journey, making a real impact on enterprise technology.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in large-scale tech transformations and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
WPP is leading a major transformation of its enterprise technology. Our Global CIO is building a global technology capability. The Finance, ERP and Consolidation Programme will consolidate finance and ERP systems onto Workday and Maconomy. A dedicated Programme Director is needed to orchestrate the people side of this transformation, ensuring new ways of working are adopted, benefits realised, and change fatigue minimised.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Define and maintain the programme vision, objectives, and roadmap.
- Governance & Assurance: Establish governance frameworks, manage risks, and ensure compliance.
- Benefits Realisation: Drive delivery of measurable business benefits.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships with senior stakeholders and sponsors.
- Resource & Financial Management: Oversee budgets, resource allocation, and vendor management.
- Change & Adoption: Ensure readiness and adoption of new capabilities.
Programme Management Tasks
- Develop the global vision and roadmap for the programme.
- Build strong relationships with leaders to influence and drive collaboration.
- Establish and lead transformation programmes across WPP Enterprise Technology.
- Ensure deliverables are of the highest quality with clearly articulated scope and quantifiable business benefits.
- Be accountable for programme definition, planning, orchestration, and delivery.
- Identify, define and manage all aspects of the programme’s projects.
- Coordinate dependencies with projects, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Create visibility across teams to mitigate coordination challenges.
- Develop and maintain programme risk management plans.
- Work closely with the PMOs to ensure the programme is reported on accurately.
- Run stage gates for each project in the programme.
- Act as liaison between stakeholders, sponsors, and steering committee.
- Conduct financial analyses and cost‑benefit analysis on programme alternatives.
- Develop business cases to support programme investment.
- Manage third‑party suppliers/partners and contractual commitments.
- Performance manage project management staff.
- Ensure programme projects use Transformation Delivery Framework and Wrike.
- Support the PPM Centre of Excellence.
- Share activities and lessons learned across the PM community.
Qualifications Experience & Background
- Extensive experience leading large‑scale, complex technology transformation programmes.
- Proven track record delivering enterprise‑wide platforms, cloud migrations, infrastructure modernisation or major application deployments.
- Strong background in portfolio, programme, and project management with waterfall and hybrid delivery.
- Experience working with multiple vendors, system integrators and third‑party delivery partners.
Leadership & Strategic Capability
- Ability to define and articulate a clear programme vision, roadmap and benefits case.
- Strong leadership presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience leading matrixed teams and managing cross‑functional delivery across geographies.
- Demonstrated ability to set the right delivery culture, behaviours and expectations.
Governance, Control & Delivery Excellence
- Deep understanding of programme governance, including stage gates, reporting, RAID management and financial controls.
- Ability to establish and maintain robust delivery frameworks, quality standards and assurance.
- Skilled in risk management, including systemic risks, interdependency conflicts and mitigation plans.
- Ability to ensure regulatory, security and compliance alignment across programme components.
Financial & Commercial Management
- Strong capability in budget ownership, forecasting, cost control and benefits realisation.
- Experience conducting business cases, cost‑benefit analysis and ROI assessments.
- Ability to manage vendors against contractual commitments and performance KPIs.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Exceptional communication skills, simplifying complex programme details into executive‑level insight.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with senior sponsors, delivery teams and external partners.
- Skilled in managing change impacts, driving adoption and minimising business disruption.
Change, Adoption & Business Readiness
- Experience overseeing change management, communications, training and readiness.
- Ability to embed and sustain new processes, technologies and capabilities.
- Comfortable addressing change fatigue, capability gaps and resistance points.
Technical Competence
- Strong understanding of relevant enterprise technologies.
- Ability to balance technical constraints, architectural requirements and business needs.
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised, resilient and comfortable operating in ambiguous or evolving environments.
- Strong problem solver able to make clear decisions under pressure.
- Inclusive, people‑centred leader who motivates high‑performing teams.
WPP is embarking on a major 3‑year transformation to simplify, modernise and unify its technology platforms. The role supports operational efficiency, AI adoption, consistent delivery of value across agencies and markets while minimising disruption.
Equal Opportunity Employer
WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
Global Programme Director - Finance, ERP & Consolidation, London employer: WPP Media
WPP is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. As a leader in enterprise technology transformation, we provide our employees with unparalleled growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to meaningful change within the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Programme Director - Finance, ERP & Consolidation, London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities before they hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent projects and challenges, especially in tech transformation. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Global Programme Director. Highlight your leadership skills and past successes in managing complex transformations. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your application today!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Programme Director - Finance, ERP & Consolidation, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading large-scale technology transformations. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've influenced senior stakeholders and led cross-functional teams. Share specific examples of how you've driven change and managed complex projects in your previous roles.
Highlight Your Financial Acumen:Since this role involves budget ownership and financial management, be sure to include any relevant experience you have with cost control, forecasting, and conducting ROI assessments. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at WPP Media
✨Know Your Programme Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Finance, ERP and Consolidation Programme. Familiarise yourself with Workday and Maconomy, as well as the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've led large-scale technology transformations in the past. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage cross-functional teams. They’ll want to see that you can set the right delivery culture and expectations.
✨Demonstrate Your Risk Management Expertise
Since governance and risk management are crucial for this role, come ready to talk about your experience with RAID management and how you've handled systemic risks in previous projects. Share concrete examples of how you’ve established robust delivery frameworks and quality standards.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Communication
Prepare to discuss your approach to building trusted relationships with senior sponsors and delivery teams. Think of ways to simplify complex programme details into executive-level insights. They’ll be looking for your ability to manage change impacts and drive adoption effectively.
