Program Manager

Primark; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in retail is seeking a Technology Programme Manager for a 6-month contract. The role involves overseeing technology delivery for a significant Buying and Merchandising transformation, requiring strong leadership and stakeholder management skills. Candidates must have a proven track record in large-scale retail technology projects and be comfortable working through an umbrella company.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Programme Manager in a large-scale retail environment.
• Strong track record of delivering technology programmes related to Buying and Merchandising.
• Deep understanding of retail operations and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end technology delivery of the Buying & Merchandising programme.
• Drive programme timelines and manage risks and issues.
• Engage with senior business and technology stakeholders.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Agile methodologies

Waterfall methodologies

Job description

Technology Programme Manager - 6-month initial contract - day rate negotiable - Hybrid working

We have an exciting opportunity for an immediately available Technology Programme Manager to join us on an initial 6-month contract, with hybrid working where you must be willing to travel to our Reading office 2 day's per week with occasional travel to our Dublin offices which will be fully expensed.(we would also consider applicants to work out of our Dublin offices and with occasional travel to our Reading offices which will be fully expensed)

We are seeking an experienced Technology Programme Manager to lead the Technology deliverables of a large-scale Buying and Merchandising (B&M) transformation. This is a high-profile role where you will act as the central figure for technology delivery across the programme, working closely with business stakeholders, technology teams, and senior leadership.

You will be responsible for ensuring technology workstreams are delivered to scope, time and budget, whilst actively managing risks, dependencies, and escalations. You will also represent the technology function at a weekly senior leadership meeting, providing clear, confident updates on programme status, risks, and progress.

Key Responsibilities:

· Own end-to-end technology delivery of the Buying & Merchandising programme.

· Drive programme timelines, ensuring critical milestones are met across multiple workstreams.

· Lead risk and issue management, working with project managers to resolve escalations and unblock progress.

· Act as the primary technology delivery representative for the programme, engaging with senior business and technology stakeholders.

· Provide clear, concise reporting and updates to the senior leadership team on a weekly basis.

· Ensure alignment between business objectives and technical delivery.

· Collaborate with internal teams, third-party vendors, and delivery partners to maintain programme momentum and to drive programme standards.

· Champion governance, quality assurance, and best practices in programme delivery.

Essential knowledge, skills, and experience:

· Proven experience as a Programme Manager in a large-scale retail environment.

· Strong track record of delivering technology programmes, ideally with systems or platforms related to Buying and Merchandising.

· Deep understanding of retail operations, with the ability to work cross-functionally across technology and commercial teams.

· Strong experience managing multiple projects and workstreams concurrently.

· Skilled in stakeholder management, especially at senior leadership and executive levels.

· Familiarity with technology delivery methodologies, including both Agile and Waterfall approaches.

· Excellent communication, leadership, and influencing skills.

The Technology Programme Manager best suited for the role will have proven experience as a Programme Manager in a large-scale retail environment, along with a strong track record of delivering technology programmes, ideally with systems or platforms related to Buying and Merchandising.

Please note, to be considered for this role we can only accept candidates who are happy to work through an umbrella company, this is non-negotiable.

If the above is of interest to you then please apply and we can discuss the next steps in detail.