Program Manager

ZipRecruiter; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group in London seeks an experienced Senior Programme Manager to drive a major global transformation. This interim role is responsible for delivering a £9M programme, replacing back-office systems, and involves leadership of diverse teams and stakeholder engagement. Strong experience in business change and an understanding of the insurance sector is essential. The role offers a flexible day rate of £800 - £1,000 depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of leading complex transformation programmes (c. £5M–£10M+).
• Strong experience in business change alongside IT delivery.
• Knowledge of the reinsurance or broader insurance sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of a £9M transformation programme.
• Drive the replacement of multiple legacy back-office systems.
• Engage, align, and influence senior stakeholders.

Skills

Leading complex transformation programmes

Business change management

Engaging senior stakeholders

Excellent leadership skills

Strong communication skills

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead a major global transformation programme for a leading international financial services group. This is a high-profile interim opportunity, with potential to convert into a permanent role.

The Opportunity

You will be responsible for delivering a multi-year, £multi-million programme to replace and consolidate core back-office systems across the UK and US operations. The programme is critical to aligning operating models across regions, driving efficiency, and enabling global growth.

This role goes beyond IT delivery – it requires someone with the vision, leadership, and influence to manage complex business change and bring together diverse stakeholders across geographies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of a £9M transformation programme over 3 years.
• Drive the replacement of multiple legacy back-office systems with a single global platform.
• Develop and implement a robust programme plan that captures both business and IT responsibilities.
• Engage, align, and influence senior stakeholders including divisional COOs, CFOs, and CIOs.
• Provide inspirational leadership to project teams, energising and aligning resources across regions.
• Ensure successful delivery of programme milestones (first US go-live targeted in 12 months).
• Balance IT implementation with business change, process alignment, and operating model improvements.
• Chair steering committees and provide clear, trusted updates to executive sponsors.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record of leading complex transformation programmes (c. £5M–£10M+).
• Strong experience in business change as well as IT delivery.
• Knowledge of the reinsurance or broader insurance sector (enough to hold informed conversations with senior stakeholders).
• Gravitas, credibility, and maturity to engage with C-level stakeholders.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and people skills – able to articulate a compelling vision.
• Experience with data migration projects (desirable).
• Prior exposure to Open Twins implementation would be a bonus, but not essential.

Contract Details

• Duration: Interim assignment (potential for permanent conversion).
• Day Rate: £800 - £1,000/day (flexible depending on experience).
• Location: London with some international travel required.
• Start Date: ASAP (within 4–6 weeks ideally).

** NB candidates must hold full UK Right to Work