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Senior Programme Manager

Job Description

We're looking for an experienced Senior Programme Manager for an important Central Government department. 

Your role:

  • Identify and deploy recognised and appropriate programme/project management techniques to shape the delivery of the programme, co-ordinate all projects and drive progress

  • Establish, develop and deliver against the programme plan including timelines, quality and costs, monitoring and supporting detailed project planning with all teams, ensuring that timelines are realistic and adhered to

  • Manage the large programme budget, monitoring expenditure and costs, producing forecasts and co-ordinating financial returns.

  • Develop effective communication and working relationships with all relevant organisations and individuals, both internally and externally, in order to ensure the successful delivery of programme and project outcomes and support the senior management team with wider engagement.

  • Manage an effective reporting regime and governance for the programme, including the co-ordination, creation and presentation of progress reports

  • Support the Programme Director and Senior Responsible Officer with the planning and administration of senior governance boards and briefings

  • Participate in strategic decision making for the programme 

  • Manage the Delivery Team (line management of at least 1 member of staff) offering expert guidance and leadership 

  • Ensure the effective management of risks and issues within the programme, including assisting project managers with maintaining risks and issues logs, effectively resolving issues and ensuring the appropriate escalation of uncontrolled risks.

  • Produce programme related documentation as necessary and ensure that these are reviewed and updated at regular intervals

  • Assist in the development of benefits realisations plans for all projects in collaboration with the evaluation team

  • Identify, highlight and manage the internal and external dependencies across the programme


Skills and Experience:

  • PRINCE2 and MSP qualified (or hold a similar qualification)

  • Experience of successful programme management at a senior level in a complex organisational environment

  • A good understanding of financial management and budgetary control

  • Ability to build positive and constructive collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and staff, including those at a senior level, bringing them together to coordinate activity and resources to achieve outcomes.

  • An expert understanding of risk management in relation to programme and project management

  • A flexible approach and a willingness to embrace and promote new ways of working

  • An ability to deliver through positive interaction with project/programme team members

  • Impactful influencing skills with the ability to drive action fast

  • A proactive approach that minimises the burden on direction from senior managers

  • Strong planning, and organisational skills

  • Familiar and comfortable working in a hybrid waterfall-agile environment and comfortable with ambiguity and change

  • Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to problem solving

  • Experience working within government programme delivery would be an advantage