Senior Project Manager

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Change Delivery team plays a critical role in delivering both business and technical solutions that support our strategic priorities.

As a Project Manager, you will be accountable for the end-to-end delivery of key change initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring proven project management expertise, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the business.

What you'll be doing:

• Deliver key change initiatives, managing business and technical solutions from initiation to closure, within agreed time, cost, and quality standards.

• Lead, motivate, and influence matrixed delivery teams and third-party suppliers to achieve project deliverables.

• Drive the project approach including scope, planning, resourcing, budget management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance.

• Communicate project status to stakeholders, including Executive level, ensuring alignment and understanding.

• Ensure delivery in line with WHSmith governance requirements.

• Oversee the transition of initiatives into Business as Usual (BAU), influencing the adoption of change across suppliers and business areas.

• Control project budgets, ensuring financial discipline and approval of any changes.

• Identify and monitor programme risks, implementing mitigating actions where required.

• Lead the preparation and approval of Business Cases, challenging and validating business benefits.

What we are looking for:

• Strong track record of successful end-to-end project delivery across business and technical environments.

• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to gain stakeholder confidence at all levels.

• Experience managing third-party suppliers and building strong business relationships.

• Financial and commercial acumen, with experience of budget management and business case development.

• Ability to drive continuous improvement activities and coach or mentor junior colleagues.

• Resilient, resourceful, and able to lead with integrity while making tough decisions.

• Awareness of legal, regulatory, and data protection requirements.

• Customer-focused mindset, ensuring services and solutions contribute to a positive WHSmith experience.

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in our Aldgate East office.

• 4pm Friday Finish.

• Flexible Working.

• 25 days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday.

• Family Friendly Leave.

• Competitive Pension Contribution.

• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance.

• Competitive Salary.

About us

WHSmith have occupied our place in our customers’ hearts for over two decades. You’ll find our stores and our family of brands in airports, hospitals, railway stations, on high streets and in shopping centres – as well as right across the world! We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture.

Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.