IT Programme Manager

Our client, a large Defence company is looking for an IT Programme Manager to join them on an initial 12 month contract at their site in Harlow, Essex.

• Applicants must be eligible to obtain SC Clearance.
• Remote working with ad–hoc visits to their site in Harlow.
• 85 p/h Umbrella, inside IR35.

Programme Manager with specialist knowledge in Applications and Major Systems Migrations.

Main Duties:

• Formulate the programme strategy by evaluating options with a clear sense of the key priorities and risks to the programme. Lead and influence the programme strategy to gain 'buy–in' and build confidence from stakeholders, programme boards and executive teams as well as the programme team
• Management across full lifecycle (shaping through to closure) of DT transformation programmes and any subsequent projects that form components of the programme.
• Plan and design the programme and proactively monitor their progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action
• Owns, develops, implements, and manages all programme artefacts across the programme lifecycle. Plans, RAID and action tracking logs, org structures, requirements tracking, and DT platform quality requirements and ensuring successful transition to support where appropriate.
• Accountable for ensuring that programme governance is followed, working within existing standards set by the PMO and to internal standards.
• Manage the programme budget on behalf of the SRO, monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered and realised outcomes/benefits as the programme progresses.
• Responsible for scheduling resources to meet programme requirements, both internally and externally. Resource management and production of accurate basis of estimates and subsequent forecasting to underpin a credible plan
• Build and functionally lead a programme team (no direct line management), establish successful drumbeat for the projects and team.
• Use commercial acumen for successful management of suppliers and 3rd Parties to fulfil on time delivery
• Manage both the dependencies and the interfaces between projects within the programmes
• Liaises and communicates effectively with programme stakeholders on an ongoing basis. Prepares and runs credible Steering Groups
• Develops and delivers credible presentations, progress reports and meetings appropriate to the audience on time and to the expected standard.
• Report the progress of the programme at regular intervals to the SRO and PMO. Report and escalate programme and project risks to management and governance function as appropriate.
• Facilitate the appointment of individuals to project teams that will support the programme
• Ensure the delivery of any new service, structure, systems or process as resulting in the projects being delivered to the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plan and programme governance arrangements
• Provides specialist technical delivery knowledge as required.
• Ensure business change is embedded successfully and that business benefits/outcomes are realised
• Ability to work strategically across a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the business up and including executive level

Candidate Requirements:

Essential

• Prior experience 5 years+ in Programme Management within defence or highly regulated technical industry.
• Capable of leading complex technology programmes with multiple stakeholders both internal to IT and within the Business
• Experienced in the migration and transformation of applications handling major systems reviews and implementation of new target operating models aligned to the digital technology strategy
• Knowledge and experience of enabling and supporting digital transformation programmes for the wider business
• Demonstrable experience across full lifecycle management of multiple technology projects as part of programmes, from inception to delivery, especially solution identification, design, pricing, risk management and early project definition before transition into service operation.
• Experience of the critical project to service transition phase and associated early lifecycle support, including management, and reporting of defects.
• Proven experience of industry standard Project Management Best Practice Prince 2 or equivalent.
• MSP & PRINCE 2 qualifications and/or equivalent PMP certifications.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Science, or Mathematics
• SC cleared or the ability to become SC cleared.

Desirable:

• Ideally experienced with process quality methodology and ITIL.
• Six Sigma qualifications and experience
• Previous experience or knowledge of APM/PMBOK/CGI or similar programme governance models