Strategic Programme Office Manager

Specsavers; Fareham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Specsavers is seeking a Strategic Programme Office Manager to lead IT governance and transformation initiatives. This role involves managing complex programmes, ensuring effective reporting, and collaborating with project managers to optimize resources. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in a technology environment and relevant professional qualifications.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in managing governance and reporting for large, complex programmes.
• Knowledge of programme management methodologies and best practices.
• Experience within a PMO or programme office function in a global organisation.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a programme governance framework.
• Develop and manage programme-level reporting.
• Facilitate programme-level decision-making and stakeholder reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Governance Management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

MSP (Managing Successful Programmes)

PgMP

Tools

Microsoft Project

Power BI

Planview

Job description

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Are you ready to lead complex IT and Technology programmes? Specsavers is looking for a Strategic Programme Office Manager to join our team. This exciting role will be at the forefront of our IT delivery governance, driving transformation and change initiatives across the function.

At Specsavers, we believe in changing lives through better sight and hearing. Our Technology team underpins this mission by delivering clear, value-focused, and efficient technology solutions. As the Strategic Programme Office Manager, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring our IT projects are managed effectively, providing data-driven insights that enable strategic decision-making.

You'll establish and maintain a programme governance framework, ensuring alignment with Central IT PMO standards and capabilities. You'll identify, shape, and coordinate the integration of deliverables from multiple projects within a programme, monitoring dependencies and risks. Your role will involve developing and managing programme-level reporting, providing clear visibility of progress, risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities. You'll facilitate programme-level decision-making by preparing dashboards and materials for stakeholder reviews and key governance forums. Collaboration with project managers and resource planners will be key to ensuring optimal resource utilisation across programmes. Additionally, you'll maintain a central repository of programme documentation and lead post-programme reviews to ensure lessons learned are documented and applied.

We're seeking a proven leader with extensive experience in managing governance and reporting for large, complex programmes in a technology environment. You should have knowledge of programme management methodologies and best practices, and experience working within a PMO or programme office function in a global organisation. Professional qualifications such as MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) or PgMP are highly desirable. Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project, Power BI, or Planview for programme tracking will be advantageous. Excellent communication skills, the ability to build strong relationships across programme teams and stakeholders, and a collaborative mindset are essential.

Ready to take the next step in your career? If you're a proactive and experienced professional, we would love to hear from you. Join us at Specsavers and be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Apply now and lead our complex IT and Technology programmes to new heights.

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