Programme Manager

Capita Pensions Solutions is a division of Capita that specializes in providing a wide range of services related to pensions. We focus on creating and implementing resilient and responsible pension strategies to help organizations and their employees secure a more stable financial future. Our services include pensions administration, consultancy, and the latest technology and engagement techniques. Capita Pensions Solutions has been managing pensions for over 50 years, covering pension schemes of various shapes and sizes.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Programme Manager with a proven track record in delivering complex programmes. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, and proficiency in project and programme methodologies. They should be adept at managing risks, issues, and dependencies, and capable of meeting strict deadlines in high-pressure environments. The candidate should be comfortable working remotely and managing virtual teams effectively. You’ll be solution-focused, hold yourself and others accountable to commitments, and quickly build relationships and trust with diverse teams and technical expertise.

Please note the successful candidate will be required to complete BPSS and SC clearance - one of the requirements for SC is a minimum 5 years UK residency - please only apply if you have this.

Job Description

What will you be doing?

• Programme Management – Plan, design and deliver the programme within a structured project management framework. Proactively monitor, manage and report on its overall progress through the governance framework established. Map programme dependencies and identify owners, build dependency management into the programme’s governance cycle. Oversee or draft the business case with input from project managers and specialists. Ensure business readiness with executable plans for cut over and operational running.
• Governance –Monitor, manage and report programme and project progress using appropriate control processes. Identify and manage risks and issues, and take corrective action as necessary. Ensure that project and programme deliverables meet the agreed quality standards with appropriate quality assurance process in place. Ensure that projects are aligned with the strategic goals of the organisation. Work with project leads and Benefits Manager to identify, track and deliver benefits set out in business case.
• Resource Management - Identify resources to ensure required capacity and capability for successful programme delivery. Undertakes planning, scheduling and estimating. Motivate and engage cross-functional, geographically dispersed teams and direct reports to deliver to their full potential.
• Programme Leadership - Lead and manage the programme team to deliver projects on time, within budget and to the required quality standards. Lead by example, motivate, manage and develop the project team, ensuring that they have the necessary skills, resources and support to deliver projects successfully. Provide coaching and guidance to team members as required. Support the programme to deliver the business case benefits and outcomes.
• Line Management – Management of direct reports and the employee lifecycle as required. Provision of coaching and support to direct reports and ability to contribute to the improvement of Project and Programme Management standards and capabilities within the business unit.
• Stakeholder Management – Build strong and trusted relationships with stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation. Communicate complex ideas and information to both technical/non-technical audiences, lead project governance, achieve clear decisions, and manage expectations. Ensure that stakeholders are kept informed of project progress, risks and issues, and that their expectations are managed appropriately.

Who are we looking for?

• Proven experience in programme management, including the delivery of complex programmes within a structured project management framework.
• Strong knowledge of project and programme management methodologies (including Agile and Waterfall methods), tools, and techniques, and the ability to apply them in a pragmatic and effective way.
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional, geographically dispersed teams and direct reports to deliver to their full potential.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and clients at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder/client management skills, used to communicate complex ideas and information to both technical/non-technical audiences, lead project governance, achieve clear decisions and manage expectations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify, manage and resolve risks, issues, and dependencies effectively.
• Experience in managing budgets and financial reporting, supporting or seeking necessary internal or client facing delivery approvals.
• Proven experience in delivering Programmes within contractual terms/settings, managing or working with, commercial leads to complete the procurement, contracting and delivery lifecycle with suppliers and/or clients.
• Ability to conduct delivery assurance on new client deals or programmes identifying delivery risks or considerations to be factored into commercial negotiations.
• Knowledge of the requirements management lifecycle, with the ability to describe the difference between business and technical specifications, including material differences in scope and audience. Evidenced examples of specifications written or scenarios where you have managed business analysts to do the same.
• Achieve quality assurance activities across the Projects to ensure compliance with governance standards in place. Accurate up-to-date reporting on all aspects of the Project – Risk Issue Management, Progress on Milestone Delivery, Financial tracking, and Resource scheduling.
• Capable of meeting strict deadlines, managing time, and prioritizing tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Proficient in using core applications, specifically MS Project, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Experience in JIRA or other requirement/test related tools.
• Prior experience of delivery within the Financial Services Regulated market and the application of regulatory requirements beneficial but not essential.

What can we offer you?

You’ll have the chance to work on a host of high-profile projects that will help you learn and evolve new and existing skills. We also believe in offering flexible working solutions that suit your needs, whether that’s from home, from your nearest Capita office, or a blend of both but with an expectation to travel as and where business requires.

• Company matched pension, enhanced life assurance, private medical insurance, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more!.

What we hope you will do next

Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

At Capita, we’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. We want everyone to have the best chance of succeeding as they move through their application and start their career with us. We are an equal opportunity and Disability Confident employer, we want to hear from you if you’d like to discuss any adjustments you might need during your recruitment process. Please email reasonableadjustments@capita.com or call 07784 237318 and we’ll get back to you to discuss. For more information about equal opportunities and the types of adjustments we can offer, please visit the Capita Careers website. Also Access to Work can help candidates with a physical or mental health condition or disability to get support in the hiring process, including communication support at interviews such as a British Sign Language interpreter. If you require this support you can apply for this support at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-work .

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