Project Manager - #2168161

Job Specification: Project Manager (2 positions)

Contract: 6 months initially, with potential to extend

Location: Halifax, Trinity Road or Leeds

Working arrangement: 2 days per week in the office

Sector: Financial Services

Programme duration: Long-term programme running to 2030 – link to see further on the project https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charlie-nunn_helpingbritainprosper-activity-7488474318755192832-O6Xf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACrbndsB4gy6sr30ln7zaClG6Cggb1YFqkY

Role Overview

We are seeking experienced Project Managers to support a significant, long-term transformation programme within Financial Services. The programme is transitioning from a four-year strategy into its next strategic phase, with mobilisation and delivery planning underway ahead of execution commencing in January 2027.

The programme spans technology capabilities, business transformation and digital propositions, requiring strong project delivery, planning, governance and stakeholder management skills.

Two complementary Project Manager profiles are required. Both will work within the wider programme, collaborating with senior stakeholders, portfolio leads, Product Owners and delivery teams to ensure plans are coordinated, priorities are clear and delivery remains on track.

The initial contract is six months, with the potential to extend. There is a substantial pipeline of work, with the possibility of further recruitment as the programme develops.

Profile A: Senior Project Manager – Strategic Programme Mobilisation and Portfolio Planning

Role Purpose

To support the mobilisation and delivery planning of a major strategic programme running through to 2030, translating strategic priorities into an integrated, end-to-end delivery plan across multiple technology and business workstreams.

This role will operate at a senior level, coordinating multiple portfolio leads, consolidating plans and supporting leadership discussions to ensure the programme is aligned, prioritised and ready for execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme mobilisation: Support the transition from the existing four-year strategy into the next strategic phase, preparing for execution from January 2027.
• Integrated planning: Develop and maintain a comprehensive, end-to-end programme plan covering multiple workstreams, technology capabilities, business units and delivery priorities.
• Portfolio coordination: Work closely with numerous portfolio and workstream leads to gather updates, consolidate plans, identify dependencies and maintain a consistent view of delivery.
• Strategic prioritisation: Support the shaping and prioritisation of work for the first half of 2027, ensuring plans reflect agreed strategic objectives and delivery capacity.
• Senior stakeholder engagement: Prepare materials and facilitate discussions with senior leaders, translating complex programme information into clear plans, visuals and decision-support materials.
• Workforce and recruitment planning: Coordinate recruitment planning across onshore and offshore capabilities, supporting the preparation and presentation of the recruitment approach and coordinating interview activity ahead of January execution.
• Programme reporting: Create clear, concise planning and reporting artefacts, including plan-on-a-page visuals, integrated plans, PowerPoint presentations and Excel-based reporting.
• Governance and delivery oversight: Ensure plans, milestones, dependencies, risks and issues are visible and appropriately escalated through the programme's governance structures.
• Adaptability and coordination: Respond to changing priorities and evolving programme requirements, working closely with Danielle and other key stakeholders to maintain alignment across the programme.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in Project Management, Programme Management or Portfolio Management within Financial Services.
• Experience supporting large-scale, complex transformation programmes.
• Strong experience developing integrated plans across multiple workstreams and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to consolidate information from numerous leads into a clear, coherent end-to-end programme view.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and presenting plans, progress and recommendations.
• Strong planning, coordination, dependency management and prioritisation skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, particularly for planning, reporting and visualising complex information.
• Strong PowerPoint skills, including the creation of executive-level presentations and plan-on-a-page materials.
• Experience operating within structured governance, risk and control environments.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguity, adapt to changing priorities and drive progress without needing extensive direction.

Desirable Experience

• Strategic planning and programme mobilisation experience.
• Experience coordinating onshore and offshore recruitment or delivery-capability planning.
• Experience across technology and business transformation workstreams.
• Experience supporting programmes with long-term strategic roadmaps.

Key Success Measures

• A consolidated, credible end-to-end programme plan is established and maintained.
• Strategic priorities for the first half of 2027 are clearly reflected in delivery plans.
• Senior stakeholders have clear visibility of progress, dependencies, priorities and risks.
• Recruitment and capability planning is coordinated effectively ahead of the January execution phase.
• Programme plans remain aligned as priorities and requirements evolve.

Profile B: Project Manager – Digital Propositions and Delivery Implementation

Role Purpose

To support the delivery and implementation of digital propositions and business initiatives within the wider transformation programme, including activity associated with the Digital Lab and bringing home-buying propositions to market.

Working closely with Product Owners and delivery stakeholders, the Project Manager will provide hands-on project management support, establish and maintain delivery plans, coordinate working groups and ensure risks, issues and dependencies are actively managed.

This role will suit a delivery-focused Project Manager who is comfortable working in a changing environment, taking ownership of project activity and turning evolving requirements into actionable plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Project delivery: Provide hands-on project management support across digital propositions and related business initiatives, ensuring activity progresses against agreed objectives and milestones.
• Planning and implementation: Create, maintain and drive project plans, translating objectives into clear actions, milestones, responsibilities and delivery timelines.
• Product Owner support: Work closely with Product Owners to coordinate delivery activity, manage dependencies and support the implementation of agreed propositions.
• Working group coordination: Establish, coordinate and facilitate working groups, ensuring actions are captured, owners are assigned and progress is followed up.
• RAID management: Maintain robust RAID logs covering risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies, ensuring these are regularly reviewed and appropriately managed.
• Governance and reporting: Produce project artefacts, status updates, planning materials and governance documentation to support effective oversight and decision-making.
• Risk and issue escalation: Identify emerging delivery risks, issues, slippage and variances against plan, escalating these promptly and proposing appropriate mitigation actions.
• Stakeholder management: Build effective relationships across business, technology, product and delivery teams to maintain momentum and resolve blockers.
• Delivery readiness: Prepare the documentation, plans and supporting materials required to demonstrate delivery readiness and support programme governance and assurance activities.
• Adaptability: Operate confidently in ambiguity, respond to changing requirements and take a proactive approach to driving project activity forward.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience as a Project Manager within Financial Services or a similarly complex, regulated environment.
• Strong hands-on project delivery and implementation experience.
• Experience working with Product Owners, business stakeholders and technology delivery teams.
• Ability to develop and actively manage project plans, milestones, actions and dependencies.
• Strong RAID management, risk identification and escalation skills.
• Experience coordinating working groups and driving actions through to completion.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including project reporting and planning materials.
• Understanding of governance requirements, delivery controls and project reporting.
• A proactive, delivery-oriented approach, with the ability to work independently and navigate ambiguity.

Desirable Experience

• Experience delivering digital propositions or customer-facing products.
• Exposure to home-buying, mortgage or related financial services propositions.
• Experience working within digital labs, innovation environments or cross-functional delivery teams.
• Experience preparing project artefacts and supporting governance or steering committee readiness.

Key Success Measures

• Clear, actionable project plans are established and actively driven forward.
• Working groups operate effectively, with actions and decisions tracked to completion.
• Risks, issues and dependencies are identified, managed and escalated appropriately.
• Product Owners and delivery stakeholders receive effective project management support.
• Delivery progress, variances and readiness are clearly communicated through appropriate reporting and governance materials.

Shared Requirements for Both Profiles

Both Project Managers will be expected to:

• Work collaboratively within the wider programme and maintain alignment with related workstreams.
• Demonstrate strong communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills.
• Operate effectively in a Financial Services environment with appropriate governance and control requirements.
• Produce high-quality planning, reporting and governance artefacts.
• Adapt to evolving priorities and programme requirements.
• Attend the Halifax, Trinity Road or Leeds office two days per week.

Contract opportunity: Six months initially, with a strong possibility of extension given the ongoing programme of work and the longer-term transformation roadmap.

TO APPLY - PLEASE APPLY WITH AN UP-TO-DATE CV

Candidates will ideally show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.

Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you accordingly.

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