Senior Programme 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.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our IT organisation as a Senior Lead in our transformation journey. You’ll be accountable for the delivery of a Strategic Programme of work for WHSmith. Through partnering with WHSmith business leaders, key stakeholders, partners and IT colleagues to deliver specific business outcomes.

What you will be doing: Programme Delivery:

• Accountable for the successful delivery of change projects / programmes across multiple areas of the business
• Leading and influencing resources across WHSmith and partners to achieve outcomes. Guiding the team in the resolution of issues and constraints to ensure the projects meet time / cost / quality criteria
• Accountable for managing and communicating the fundamental elements of the programme (scope, plan, resourcing requirements, financial forecasts, status, risks and issues).
• Communicating with key stakeholders to ensure the programme status is understood and accepted (Senior Manager / Exec Sponsor).
• Leading the team in meeting the governance arrangements and quality assurance for all projects.
• Driving the transition of the project outcomes into Business as Usual, often across multiple functions to ensure business adoption and service acceptance
• Accountable for delivering the projects / programme within the agreed budget and controlling changes to that budget.

People Management:

• Line Management and mentorship of the Programme delivery team – Ensuring the team members are appropriately managed through the WHSmith performance management processes

Other responsibilities:

• Working with key stakeholders and teams across WHSmith (IT and Business
• Acting as a delegate for the Head of IT (Transformation)
• Driving adoption and advocacy of the WHSmith way of working
• Supporting the Head of IT (Transformation) in developing and maintaining roadmaps for change.

What we are looking for:

• Degree level qualification or significant industry experience (at least 3 years in senior / middle management position)
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. PRINCEII, APMG, AgilePM, MSP Portfolio)
• Experience leading teams within a multi-stakeholder and matrix environment
• Experience in managing complex programmes and / or portfolios
• Knowledge and expertise in shaping programmes and projects using a variety of methodologies

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the 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

• Company Pension scheme

• Sharesave Scheme

• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance

• Competitive Salary and Car Allowance

• Private Medical

• Staff Discount Card for stores and online