Group IT Project Manager

As our Group IT Project Manager, you'll lead and deliver a wide range of technology change projects from infrastructure upgrades and cloud migrations to data platform enhancements and new business system implementations. You'll make sure every project is clearly defined, delivered to time, cost, and quality, and successfully embedded into day-to-day operations with real, measurable benefits. This role is based from our Preston head office.

In this role, you will:

• Lead end-to-end project delivery, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing projects using the methodology best suited to the scope and level of risk (Prince2, PMI, Agile, or hybrid).
• Shape and control project scope, facilitating discovery workshops, defining clear requirements, and managing change throughout the project lifecycle.
• Run robust governance, including stage gates, RAID logs, project dashboards, and clear, consistent reporting to sponsors, steering groups.
• Coordinate internal and external teams, bringing together specialists across infrastructure, data, applications, and security while managing third-party suppliers, SLAs, and delivery commitments.
• Manage budgets and commercials, from building forecasts and overseeing procurement to negotiating contracts/SOWs and tracking spend and variances.
• Identify and mitigate risks, proactively managing issues and cross-project dependencies to protect timelines and quality.
• Orchestrate technical delivery, ensuring smooth execution of tasks such as server/network upgrades, cloud transformations, data integrations, ETL builds, and SaaS/ERP/CRM deployments.
• Ensure compliance and quality, aligning delivery with security standards, data protection requirements (including GDPR), architectural principles, and change/release management processes.
• Oversee testing and readiness, including test planning (unit, system, UAT), cutover activities, service transition, support documentation, and end-user training.
• Track benefits and drive continuous improvement, measuring value post-go-live, capturing lessons learned, and helping mature delivery practices across IT.

• Proven IT project delivery experience across infrastructure (networks, servers, storage, endpoints), data platforms (warehousing, integration, analytics), and enterprise applications (ERP/CRM/HRIS).
• Strong grounding in project management methodologies and governance, including Prince2/PMP-style controls, RAID management, stage gates, and PMO standards.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and confident engaging sponsors, SMEs, vendors, and end users, with experience presenting to steering groups.
• Solid financial and commercial understanding, including budgeting, forecasting, building business cases, benefits tracking, and managing contracts/SOWs and supplier performance.
• Good awareness of cybersecurity, GDPR/data protection, and change/release management processes in regulated or risk-sensitive environments.
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills, able to manage risks, map dependencies, and remove blockers to keep delivery on track.
• Proficiency with key project and collaboration tools, such as MS Project or Planner, Visio, and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to produce clear, high-quality project documentation, including PIDs, schedules, test strategies, cutover plans, and service transition documentation.
• A flexible, adaptable approach, comfortable handling shifting priorities and supporting hybrid delivery methodologies.

Desirable

• Prince2 Practitioner and/or PMP certification.
• Experience in change management and user adoption, including training, comms, or organisational readiness planning.
• Understanding of enterprise procurement processes and contract management.
• Experience with service management, BAU transition, service design, or operational readiness assessments.
• Ability to build portfolio dashboards and benefits reporting in Power BI.

• North West; Manchester; Liverpool; Bolton; Warrington; Preston; Chester; Blackpool; Oldham; Wigan; Carlisle
• Permanent
• Published: 1 day ago
• Competitive

Our business is truly special; part of the Eric Wright Group, and wholly owned by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, we are a commercially focused business with a social purpose. Forward thinking and people focussed, we retain our traditional values and are extremely proud of our dedicated, passionate and friendly colleagues who live our values and work hard to make a difference every day. Our business would not be the business it is today without its people, we strive to develop and nurture talent, provide a positive healthy environment empowering our people to be the best they can be., * Be open - Share feedback, celebrate strengths, and speak up for what's right

• Be collaborative - Offer support, share knowledge, and learn from others
• Be inspiring - Lead with positivity, embrace innovation, and foster teamwork
• Be bold - Speak up, be curious, and help shape the future

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a business that exists to make a difference
• Thrive in a healthy, empowering environment
• Work with passionate, dedicated colleagues who live our values
• Enjoy real opportunities to grow and shape your future
• Good salary and benefits offer

Our offer

• Enhanced annual leave starting at 26 Days + bank holidays rising with service
• Enhanced Paid Family Leave - maternity, paternity, adoption, fertility, compassion, bereavement, crisis, emergency dependants, and much more
• Learning and development - we offer a range of learning opportunities to develop talent at all levels within our business focussing on technical competence, upskilling, compliance and governance and career development.
• Pension - 6.5% employer contribution of your salary into your pension to help you save for the future
• BUPA - optional scheme and can include your family to the scheme (50% contribution)
• Group Income Protection - 50% of your salary covered for 3 years for long term illness
• Health Plans - optional, including dental, cash health plans and critical illness
• EAP - Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured, supporting you and your family with advice, guidance and counselling on a variety of areas such as health, fitness, home life, finances and much more.
• Mental Health support - through the Thrive app, approved by the NHS, provides tools, to tackle, prevent and manage common stressors such as sleep, bereavement, work issues etc. Also provides relaxation, breathing and meditation techniques and measures impact.
• Savings scheme - Put aside an affordable amount for a rainy day in the future
• Recognition awards - awards for long service and special birthdays
• Onsite gym - we have a gym on site at Head Office - free to use
• Company Doctor - for when you can't get to see your own or if you have any health concerns
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy focussed on physical, emotional, financial and career wellbeing
• A wide range of enhanced benefits to support your well-being and work-life balance

Working at the Eric Wright Group of companies is truly special. Owned 100% by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, we are a commercially focused business with a social purpose, which means that after reinvestment in the business, our profit is donated to charity via the Trust. This ownership structure provides a high level of stability for the Group and supports longer-term commercial and charitable strategies. Our reputation is built on our Chairman's founding principles of a company that must be profitable, ethical and farsighted, as a result we have people, community and social value at our heart. The companies across the Group regularly collaborate to deliver outstanding results on bespoke projects for both public and private sector clients. We are extremely proud of our dedicated, passionate and friendly colleagues who live our values and work hard to make a difference in communities every day. Equal opportunity statement: At Eric Wright Group, our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, who share of values, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. Safeguarding if required The Eric Wright Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of its employees, contractors and clients and expects its people to share this commitment. Successful applicants may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check or Disclosure Scotland check and to provide proof of their right to work in the UK. We are committed to equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness across all employment opportunities and service delivery. All managers and employees are expected to promote our values to ensure our workplaces and services are inclusive and accessible.