Programme Manager - Oxford, OX5 1HX

Programme Manager - Oxford, OX5 1HX

Programme Manager (6 months FTC)

The Programme Manager is responsible for driving the end-to-end delivery of our top strategic programme-moving it from planning into execution, and ensuring workstreams are aligned, sequenced, and delivering against agreed outcomes. Balancing all this with breaking down silos in workstreams, collaborating and partnering with workstream leads and project managers.

This role provides structure, pace and control across a complex, cross-functional programme ensuring dependencies are managed, risks are surfaced earl and leadership has clear visibility of progress and decisions required.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Programme Planning & Delivery

• Build and maintain an integrated programme plan, linking all workstreams into a single coherent view
• Translate high-level milestones into detailed, executable delivery plans and sequencing
• Drive progression from Level 1 alignment into Level 2 delivery planning and execution
• Ensure all MVP-critical milestones and decisions are defined, tracked, and delivered

2. Dependency & Risk Management

• Identify and manage cross-workstream dependencies and interdependencies
• Proactively surface risks, constraints, and blockers and drive resolution
• Ensure assumptions, risks, and dependencies are clearly captured and owned across workstreams

3. Governance & Reporting

• Establish and run programme governance (SteerCo, GEC, Board updates as required)
• Provide clear, concise reporting on progress, risks, and key decisions
• Maintain core programme artefacts (PID, WIDs, integrated plan, benefits view) as a single source of truth
• Ensure alignment across sponsors, workstream leads, and stakeholders

4. Cross-Functional Alignment

• Facilitate structured working sessions to align teams on deliverables, sequencing, and priorities
• Drive collaboration across Product, Commercial, Technology, and Operations teams
• Challenge and support workstream leads to ensure plans are realistic, joined-up, and deliverable

5. Resource, Capacity & Delivery Readiness

• Ensure clarity on resource requirements, capacity, and funding needs across workstreams
• Support mobilisation of teams as the programme moves from planning into execution
• Track delivery readiness and support go/no-go decisions at key milestones

6. Stakeholder Management

• Act as the central point of coordination for programme leadership and stakeholders
• Maintain strong relationships with sponsors, workstream leads, and senior leadership
• Ensure alignment on priorities, trade-offs, and decisions required to move forward

Required Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience managing large-scale, cross-functional transformation programmes
• Strong planning capability-able to move from high-level milestones to detailed, executable plans
• Track record of managing dependencies, risks, and complex stakeholder environments
• Ability to drive pace, challenge constructively, and bring structure to ambiguity
• Strong communication skills-able to simplify complex information for senior audiences
• Experience working across multiple functions (commercial, product, technology, operations)

Ways of Working:

• Dynamic and pragmatic, able to balance structure with pace and outcomes
• An agile thinker, comfortable working with ambiguity and adapting as the programme evolves
• Experienced operating in nonlinear environments, recognising that the programme will continue to change and flex over time
• Collaborative by nature, comfortable iterating with stakeholders to solve complex problems
• Able to maintain appropriate process and discipline, without allowing process to become overly restrictive
• Practical and pragmatic, recognising that as a 300m revenue organisation, we need proportionate, valueadding process

What we offer:

• Competitive Salary
• Up to 5% matched pension contribution
• 4x annual salary life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Employee discounts through MyDiscounts platform
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Employee Assistance Programme

This is a hybrid role, with 3 days per week based in either our Oxford or Jarrow office

Essentra Components are a global market leader in plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal components. We have a history of over 65 years, producing essential components across a huge range of industries and applications.

Making it easier for our customers is our top priority. That's why we operate internationally in 29 countries across 4 continents. With every order, we offer a hassle-free experience through our 14 manufacturing facilities, 34 distribution centres and 40 sales and service locations.

We have over 45,000 standard parts and one of the world's most extensive product offerings, all available for immediate dispatch and fast delivery.

Our product range features caps and plugs, wire and cable management, flange protection, knobs, handles and grips, access hardware, PCB and electronics hardware

Our Vision is to be "The world's leading responsible, hassle-free supplier of essential industrial components"