IT Senior Programme Manager

We’re looking for an experienced IT Senior Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of complex technology projects and programmes across a dynamic, highly collaborative environment. This is a senior role at the heart of our technology change agenda. You’ll act as the key interface between IT, business stakeholders, suppliers, the PMO and Group IT, ensuring that major technology initiatives are strategically aligned, effectively governed and delivered successfully. You’ll bring the leadership, commercial awareness and programme expertise needed to navigate complex environments, influence stakeholders and turn ambitious technology plans into tangible business outcomes. What you’ll be doing You’ll take ownership of programme and project planning from initiation through to successful delivery, ensuring that projects remain aligned to agreed objectives, timelines, budgets, quality standards and stakeholder expectations. Your responsibilities will include: o Leading the planning, delivery and governance of complex IT programmes and projects. o Acting as the key conduit between IT, the business, suppliers, PMO and Group IT. o Developing and maintaining comprehensive programme, project and resource plans. o Ensuring clear communication of IT direction, priorities, dependencies and delivery plans across the business. o Managing senior stakeholders, building strong relationships and influencing effectively at all levels. o Balancing time, cost, quality and scope while managing competing priorities and operational constraints. o Negotiating resource requirements and resolving conflicts across business, technology and supplier teams. o Working closely with PMO and Finance to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, cost control and change management. o Establishing and maintaining robust project governance, processes and reporting throughout the project lifecycle. o Managing suppliers and ensuring commercial commitments and financial processes are effectively controlled. o Producing clear, compelling programme reporting for senior business and IT leadership. o Leading and supporting the development of business cases, ensuring appropriate stakeholder agreement and PMO standards are achieved. o Identifying and mitigating delivery risks, issues, dependencies and resistance to change. o Leading, mentoring and supporting Project Managers across IT, helping to embed consistent delivery standards and best practice. o Creating an environment where project teams are engaged, empowered and focused on successful outcomes. What you’ll bring We’re looking for a confident and credible technology programme leader who can operate comfortably at both strategic and operational levels. You’ll have

o Significant experience delivering complex IT programmes and technology change within a large or complex organisation. o Experience working within matrix organisations, joint ventures, start-ups and/or M&A environments. o A proven track record of delivering large-scale digital and technology transformation programmes. o Experience across areas such as infrastructure, networks, WAN/LAN, mobile technology, Active Directory, data, analytics, software development and data centre/infrastructure environments. o Strong programme delivery expertise and the ability to manage multiple workstreams, dependencies and stakeholders. o Experience developing robust business cases, budgets and delivery plans. o Strong commercial and financial management skills, including supplier and change management. o An understanding of ISO 27001, ISO 27701, GDPR, audit, compliance and information security principles. o A relevant project/programme management qualification such as PRINCE2, Agile, TOGAF, ITIL, APMP or PMI/PMBOK. o Experience working with recognised project management frameworks and governance structures. o Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technology concepts clearly to non-technical audiences. o A strong service mindset and flexible, pragmatic, can-do approach. o The ability to influence and negotiate effectively, particularly where priorities, resources or delivery expectations conflict. o Experience leading, mentoring and developing Project Managers and delivery teams. Experience within the railway, transport or another complex operational industry would be highly advantageous. Membership of a professional body such as APM or PMI, and/or a degree in IT, technology or project management, would also be desirable. Why this role? This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact across a complex technology landscape, working with senior stakeholders and delivery teams to shape and deliver programmes that directly support the organisation’s strategic ambitions. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how technology change is delivered, strengthen programme management capability and play a key role in delivering transformational outcomes across the business.