The opportunity
As Programme Director, you’ll be accountable for the successful delivery of Openwork’s most important strategic programmes, driving real change that enables our Value Creation Plan. You’ll lead complex, high‑impact programmes, motivate large cross‑functional teams, and provide strong leadership to Project Managers within the Change & Transformation function. You’ll also help shape the culture, capability and ways of working of our Change team by leading one or more 'practice' pillars. This role is hybrid working, 3 days a week from the Swindon office.
The benefits
- Salary - £65,000 to £84,000
- Bonus scheme - on target bonus - 15%
- Pension scheme - contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%
- Critical illness cover
- Income protection - 1x salary
- Death in service - 4x salary
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days
- A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.
Key Accountabilities
Programme Delivery
- Own the end‑to‑end delivery of key strategic programmes, ensuring intended benefits are realised
- Mobilise programmes with clear objectives, governance, KPIs, resource plans and delivery roadmaps
- Lead delivery across all phases, applying best‑practice frameworks, controls and reporting
- Proactively manage budgets, RAIDDs, risks, issues and dependencies
- Act as the primary point of contact for programme delivery across business, product and technology
- Remove delivery blockers and keep Executive sponsors informed, escalating issues promptly
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, motivate and support large cross‑functional programme and project teams
- Create a collaborative, high‑performance environment with effective communication and knowledge sharing
- Address issues and conflicts constructively to maintain delivery momentum
Cross‑Portfolio Management
- Manage inter‑programme dependencies, sequencing and conflicts across the change portfolio
- Build strong partnerships with other Programme Directors and contribute to portfolio‑level planning
Change & Transformation Leadership
- Lead and line‑manage Project Managers and other Change delivery resources
- Drive capability uplift, continuous improvement and best practice across the function
- Improve tools, processes and ways of working, and support the adoption of change standards
- Actively contribute to a positive, ambitious and inclusive Change & Transformation culture
What will you need to succeed?
Experience & Qualifications
- Significant programme management experience, ideally within financial services
- Proven delivery of complex, multi‑stream programmes in fast‑paced, transforming organisations
- Comfortable operating with ambiguity and managing significant programme budgets
- Project management qualification (e.g. APM, PMP, PRINCE2) advantageous
Knowledge
- Strong track record of delivering complex programmes on time, within budget and to agreed outcomes
- Deep understanding of programme lifecycles, change frameworks, tools and techniques
- Experience prioritising change and managing budgets and resources at scale
Skills & Competencies
- Delivery‑focused leader with strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Able to lead large, cross‑functional teams and influence senior stakeholders
- Highly analytical with strong problem‑solving, decision‑making and critical‑thinking skills
- Confident in managing risk, budgets and delivery plans
- Skilled in negotiation and conflict management
- Organised, adaptable and resilient, with a continuous improvement mindset
- Expertise in project management tools (e.g. MS Project)
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