Senior Programme Manager Description
We are searching for talented and experienced Senior Programme Managers who have had experience in the successful delivery of the whole of the proposed change, co-ordination of the programme’ s projects and management of their inter-dependencies. The programme manager will be responsible for delivering change as well as the successful delivery of the programme against specifications. The role requires effective co-ordination of the programme’s projects and management of their inter-dependencies, including oversight of any risks and issues arising. It also includes the co-ordination of the new capability for the business to enable effective change and realisation of projected benefits.
The programme manager will work full-time on the programme and is responsible for the overall integrity and coherence of the programme. The role is crucial for creating and maintaining focus, enthusiasm and momentum. A good understanding of how to apply the Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) method is an essential requirement for this. They will develop and maintain the programme environment to support each project within it through an effective programme management office.
Responsibilities of the Programme Manager
- Planning and designing the programme and proactively monitoring its progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action
- Defining the programme’s governance arrangements
- Ensuring effective quality assurance and the overall integrity of the programme – focusing inwardly on the internal consistency of the programme, and outwardly on its coherence with infrastructure planning, interfaces with other programmes and corporate, technical and specialist standards
- Managing the programme’s budget, monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered and realised benefits as the programme progresses
- Facilitates the appointment of individuals to project teams
- Ensures the delivery of new products or services from projects is to the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, following the programme plan and programme governance arrangements
- Ensure there is an allocation of shared resources and skills within the programme’s individual projects
- Manage third party contributions to the programme
- Manage communications with all stakeholders
- Manage both the dependencies and the interfaces between projects
- Manage risks to the programme’s successful outcome
- Work with the business change manager on the transition to the new business as usual position
- Initiate extra activities and other management interventions wherever gaps in the programme are identified or issues arise
- Report on the progress of the programme at regular intervals to the Project Board
- Skills and attributes needed to be a programme manager
- Effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
- The ability to command respect and to create a sense of community amongst the members of the project teams
- Good knowledge of techniques for planning, monitoring and controlling programmes
- Sound business case development and approvals skills
- Good understanding of the procurement process including negotiation with third parties
- Good knowledge of programme and project management methods including MSP and PRINCE2
- Good knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation procedures
- Sufficient seniority and credibility to advise project teams on their projects in relation to the programme
- the ability to find ways of solving or pre-empting problems
Qualifications
- Qualified to at least degree level
- Prince 2 Qualification
- Certified Agile Practitioner