Programme Director

Job title: Programme Director (Digital / ERP)

Organisation: Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS)

Salary: Up to £98,500 per annum (permanent)

Key Benefits: c.29% employer pension contribution; 30 days annual leave (rising to 35 days); gym membership; nursey access; provision of catering services.

Location: c.2 days weekly onsite in Westminster, London

The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) are seeking a Programme Director on a permanent basis.

The Parliamentary Digital Service, a joint department of both Houses of Parliament, provides secure digital services to all parliamentary users. We are also responsible for the strategic direction of Parliament’s digital offering through Parliament's Digital Strategy and the delivery and management of parliamentary digital platforms, including the website. We support Parliament through our team of over 450 dedicated and professional digital colleagues.

We are looking for a Programme Director with extensive experience and a strong track record of leading strategic change through the digitally enabled transformation of products and services within a complex and diverse public-sector organisation – for example, embedding a brand-new Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) technology platform, alongside associated business process transformation, and a people-centred operating model design.

Working with and on behalf of a community of Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), the Programme Director will be responsible for enabling successful delivery at pace and ensuring the desired outcomes and objectives are achievable, taking decisions to drive the programme forward and escalating as appropriate. They will proactively manage risks or issues threatening successful delivery timelines, taking a collaborative but decisive approach to problem resolution.

The successful candidate will be sharply delivery-focused with the proven ability to set direction and convey a persuasive vision that outlines an ambitious but deliverable approach. The role will require engagement and management of parliamentary stakeholders at all levels across both Houses, senior management teams, third-party suppliers, and internal digital and parliamentary teams.

The Programme Director will also own the overall programmatic delivery approach for the Digital Service, working with the Directors of Digital Delivery to fit into a wider agile delivery model, and the associated programme management community of practice.

This is a pivotal leadership role, it’s therefore vital that the postholder can engage with leadership colleagues across PDS, as well as with an eclectic mix of stakeholders.

Applicants should demonstrate the following essential criteria in their application:

• Experience in leading large-scale digital transformation or complex technology programmes within a public sector context, including the ability to shape strategy, navigate complex organisational systems and drive significant change to achieve outcomes and benefits.
• A successful track record of leading the implementation of large-scale ERP solutions at a senior level, able to confidently manage technical challenges.
• Exemplary people leadership skills managing and inspiring large multi-disciplinary groups of staff, with the ability to influence and build support for business change across a complex organisation whilst upholding the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Strong understanding and experience of public sector commercial frameworks, contract management and working with third-party suppliers.
• Strong understanding of programme governance principles and practices, including risk management, issue resolution and dependency management.
• A recognised Professional PD, PPM or Change Management Qualification e.g.: Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner, BCS Agile Certification, APM Practitioner Qualification (APMPQ), Full Member of APM (MAPM), APM Registered Project Professional (RPP), PRINCE2 Practitioner, Major Projects Leadership Academy or Projects Leadership Programme (IPA).

For a full job specification and further details on PDS, please view the following microsite: https://allenlanerecruitment.wixsite.com/pds-2025/job-description

PDS will offer an exciting and truly unique environment to thrive in. In addition, the outstanding employee benefits include excellent hybrid working flexibility, access to the Civil Service Pension scheme, 30 days annual leave (rising to 35 days), gym membership, nursey access and provision of catering services.

To apply, please submit your CV to [email protected] alongside a supporting statement (up to 1,250 words) saying why you are interested and highlighting your relevant experience against the 6 essential criteria. You will be asked to complete a diversity monitoring form, which will complete your application.

The closing date for applications is Thursday 14th August at 9:00am.

The appointed candidate is required to be security cleared to Security Check (SC) level to undertake the role. Candidates who do not already have this level of clearance must obtain this prior to appointment start.

Please note, the Easy Apply feature on LinkedIn does not constitute a formal application to this role.