Program Manager

InterEx Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

InterEx Group in London is seeking a Program Manager to lead a portfolio of cloud infrastructure initiatives aimed at transforming our global platforms. You will oversee cross-functional teams, work with Technology Directors and business partners, and drive delivery across multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires 10+ years in cloud infrastructure or related fields, 8+ years of program management experience, and strong leadership, communication, and financial acumen.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related work experience across Cloud Infrastructure disciplines.
• 8+ years of relevant program management experience; with at least 5+ years directly managing projects/products using Agile methodologies.
• Experience working through various Cloud Infrastructure system architectures (AWS/Azure, IaC/CI/CD, Networking, operating systems).
• Experience in managing programs in highly dynamic, global organisations; retail or similar industry with blended workforce preferred.
• Experience with translating business activities into operational processes and managing multi-million-dollar budgets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee large, complex cross-functional initiatives through the project life cycle.
• Collaborate with sponsors and stakeholders to define scope, deliverables, and ensure funding and staffing.
• Develop business and technical project plans, ensuring on-scope, on-schedule, on-budget delivery.
• Provide program updates to sponsors and stakeholders.
• Monitor and manage budgets and constraints.
• Advise Cloud Infrastructure CoEs, Sponsors, and Stakeholders on issues and options.
• Drive program progression with clear communication and disciplined planning.

Skills

Cloud Infrastructure

Program Management

Leadership

Agile methodologies

Budget management

Stakeholder communication

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Vendor management

Cross-functional teams

Tools

AWS

Azure

IaC/CI-CD

Networking

Operating systems

Job description

A core pillar of the client’s technology strategy is to provide strong and scalable foundations. Leveraging cloud, they create and manage platforms servicing our internal stakeholders with a customer-first mindset. They enable and empower teams to become self-sufficient while providing guardrails to protect the organisation.

The Program Manager will be responsible for managing a group of interconnected, cross-functional projects to achieve the long-term Infrastructure Transformation goals. This is a key strategic area for the organisation and the leader for this program must be able to build on the momentum.

This role will lead the Infrastructure team through the management of their Cloud Infrastructure Initiatives Portfolio. This includes managing current initiatives as well as defining the vision for our program execution. This is a key leadership role that will work closely with Technology Directors as well as with cross-functional business partners, vendors, retail operations & technology. The ideal candidate will have a history of demonstrated results leading large, cross-functional teams to accomplish complex projects across matrixed organisations.

They must thrive in fast-paced environments, be able to manage through ambiguity and complexity, invent and simplify processes, and simultaneously support multiple projects impacting a growing global organisation. This role requires excellent communication and organizational skills and the ability to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, provide escalation management, anticipate and make tradeoffs, and balance business needs versus technical constraints. Maturity, curiosity, creative problem-solving, and team leadership are all essential to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management:

• Oversee large, complex cross-functional initiatives through the project life cycle
• Work closely with initiative sponsors and stakeholders to understand the functional strategy, define scope and deliverables, and ensure funding and staffing are planned and available to meet program delivery goals
• Develop business and technical project plans and ensure that all initiatives within the portfolio are executed on scope, on schedule and on budget, and within the organisation’s best practices and standards
• Provide program updates and communicate effectively to the sponsors and stakeholders
• Monitor and manage program Opex and Capex budgets and constraints
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Cloud Infrastructure CoEs, Project Sponsors and Key Stakeholders regarding project issues, options and opportunities and product capabilities
• Drive program progression through exceptional user engagement, crisp communications designed with the user in mind, tight planning and delivery, and follow-through on commitments.

Cloud Infrastructure Technology Capabilities Management/Thought Leadership:

• Display a comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s overall suite of services, operating platform(s), business strategy and priorities by identifying gaps, driving change, and influencing project-related decisions to achieve project goals and delivery of desired results
• Mitigate risks, resolve issues, and manage resources to successfully meet program goals and deliverables
• Ensure initiatives are effectively managed by Project Leads; assist in the resolution of the critical issues that may derail a program, provide solutions
• Ensure all potential risks (Data Management, Systems Risk, Web/Internet Security, etc.) are identified and all impacted stakeholders engaged

Leadership/People Management:

• Coach Project Managers, Business Analysts, and project team participants to build and develop a strong cross-functional team
• Set clear expectations and hold people accountable
• Manage resources across projects
• Manage external vendors and hold accountable

Required Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years of related work experience, with direct work experience across a variety of Cloud Infrastructure disciplines to support a strong foundational knowledge of technology best practices, regulatory processes
• 8+ years of relevant program management experience; with at least 5+ years directly managing projects/products using Agile methodologies
• Experience working through various Cloud Infrastructure system architectures (preference for those with specifically AWS/Azure, Infrastructure as Code/CI/CD, Networking, operating systems) to influence solutions to solve customer problems
• Experience in managing programs in highly dynamic, global organisations; with a preference for those with experience in retail or similar industry with blended and distributed workforce (i.e. mix of salary, hourly, contingent workers)
• Experience with translating business activities into operational processes
• Proven experience managing all aspects of the software delivery lifecycle
• Demonstrated experience in creating/managing portfolios
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets
• Demonstrated understanding of project management principles, tools and techniques including business case development, ROI analysis, planning and issues management
• Takes ownership and follows through on tasks; drives decisions; results-oriented
• Flexible and able to handle multiple priorities
• Creative, innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity
• Problem-solving and sound judgment
• Strong organisational and time management skills; ability to multi-task
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication & presentation skills with all audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven leadership
• Strategic thinker
• Acts with speed, simplicity and decisiveness

Must Haves:

• Proven work ethic with the utmost integrity
• Self-awareness, with a desire for constant self-improvement (goal-oriented)
• Entrepreneurial spirit and an egoless nature
• Self-motivated, passionate, empathetic, approachable
• Actively live and breathe the organisation’s culture and lifestyle
• Outgoing, energetic, upbeat and fun!
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Desire to excel and succeed