Reports to the Head of the Process Optimisation & Digitisation Capability Centre (POD)

As part of our Group Transformation Programme this role will be a member of the Process Optimisation and Digitisation Capability Centre (POD). The purpose of this role is to directly manage and lead a programme of projects focussing on optimising and automating our processes, to enhance our client’s journey and our employee experience. This role will also directly manage initiatives in some instances.

This role will work with the members within the POD and wider stakeholders to evaluate and prioritise activities/ projects ensuing alignment to our transformation programme in delivering our Target Operating Model – with a key focus on adoption and benefit realisation.    

This role will support the Head of POD with the overall Portfolio management of change for the activities within the POD, ensuring successful delivery to achieve the benefits enhancing our client and user experience.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage programme of projects that deliver process optimisation, automation and digitisation, in a fast-paced environment, from initiation through to delivery and successful transition.
• Responsible (with other members of the POD) for the successful delivery of the programme, ensuring delivery on time, within scope and within budget.
• Manage a number of initiatives within the programme and be interchangeable from being a Programme Manager and a Project Manager.
• Responsible for maintaining the correct programme documentation, including regular progress reports to the Steering Committees, Project Sponsors, Transformation Management Office and key stakeholders on the programme/project status, issues, risks, budgets, resource and change management plans, identifying issues and escalating for resolution where necessary.
• Responsible for implementing the programme management governance, in line with the Transformation Management Office (TMO) and cadence of project meetings and reviews in order to ensure the effective management and delivery of projects.
• Responsible for identifying and securing the necessary resource required to successfully deliver at a programme level.
• In collaboration with the Change Manager and other members of the POD, support the change process and cultural impact analysis and assess the change readiness of the relevant business teams to enable the successful delivery of projects and initiatives.
• Manage the programme within agreed governance structures and processes, to ensure consistency of approach and efficient use of resources.
• Manage indirect project resources to identify capacity constraints and identify solutions to fulfil shortfalls to ensure that projects are delivered within agreed timeframes.
• Record information accurately and consistently using appropriate systems and provide and communicate timely information to relevant parties.
• Responsible for identifying risks to the business from any projects and developing risk mitigation plans to ensure minimum adverse impact to the business during the delivery of projects.
• Responsible for conducting post-project reviews to identify lessons learned and continuously improve the project management process across the business.

Skills, knowledge, expertise:

• Ability to lead a team within a Programme from within the office or remotely both from a delivery focus and from a people leadership focus.
• Ability to run a programme of works and a Portfolio of change focusing on agile and lean ways of working.
• Demonstrable capability to lead transformation projects and programmes from initiation through to successful completion. Using the most effective method of delivery dependant on the size and type of change.
• 10+ years of Portfolio/programme/project/change management experience in a large size company with a proven record of successful project delivery working cross-functionally with tech and non-tech teams.
• Experience in the Financial Services industry is advantageous.
• Relevant Project/Programme Management qualifications/Change Management (Prince2, MSP, PMI or equivalent).
• People Leadership: able to inspire individuals and create empowered teams with strong ethos and drive. By constantly driving purpose and meaning to individuals on their contribution to the Big Picture.
• Excellent communication: communicates with clarity and confidence at all levels; adapts style and content to the needs of the audience by being inspirational.
• Influencing and relationships: proactively builds productive and open and trusting relationships with internal and external partners; presents robust and convincing arguments in the face of challenge while remaining respectful of others’ views; negotiates effectively to agree realistic outcomes.
• Planning and Organising: plans, schedules, prioritises, and allocates work effectively; delivers to multiple and challenging deadlines; organised and disciplined but able to cope with ambiguity; monitors progress against plans using project management techniques or other recognised methods such as Agile/Waterfall/Hybrid.
• Continuous improvement: identifies opportunities for continuous improvement; shows demonstrates enthusiasm and willingness. Creates momentum and excitement around initiatives and new approaches.
• Delivering results: remains calm, effective, and positive even when under pressure; takes ownership for delivering outcomes and is highlight pragmatic and action orientated.
• Initiative and problem solving: identifies problems, provides / facilitates the creation of options and recommendations, and uses initiative to drive solutions in a positive and constructive manner; whilst being able to identify and manages risk.
• Change Management & Adoption: ability to focus on the human side of change by building and delivery change management strategies and plans to increase adoption and the success of the acceptance of benefits.

We will provide the training, both in house for relevant technical knowledge and professional qualifications to enhance your professional development. You will need to be quick to learn new systems and great be with people, as close working relationships between our colleagues and clients is at the heart of what we do.