Programme Manager

Sword Group; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sword Group is seeking a senior Programme Manager to lead complex technology-enabled programmes in the UK. The role focuses on delivering product-based or application-focused projects, including mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and separations, with cross-functional teams and tight governance.

You will report to senior stakeholders, drive delivery aligned with business strategy, and manage plans, budgets, risks, and issues while promoting effective governance and exit planning.

Qualifications

• Proven, recent experience delivering products-based or application-focused projects.
• Experience leading merger/acquisition integration or separation programmes.
• Experience managing multiple projects within a large technology-enabled programme.
• Excellent communication to senior stakeholders and technical leadership.
• Strong governance, planning, risk management and reporting skills.
• Familiarity with transition service agreements and exit planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional technology teams and set programme objectives.
• Align delivery with IS and business strategy and secure stakeholder buy-in.
• Own integrated plans, milestones, dependencies, budgets, risks and issues.
• Provide clear decisions and escalation paths to senior leadership.
• Utilise governance tools to monitor delivery and programme performance.

Skills

Programme leadership

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Governance & reporting

Waterfall & Agile

PM qualifications

Education

PMI / PMP / PRINCE2 / MSP

Job description

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.

• Proven, recent experience delivering products-based or application-focused projects, ideally within a complex technology environment

• Proven experience leading complex merger, acquisition, integration and/or separation programmes within regulated, technical or complex enterprise environments

• Significant experience managing multiple projects within a large, technology-enabled business programme

• Strong programme leadership skills, with demonstrated experience leading project managers and large cross-functional technology teams, setting clear objectives, motivating teams and maintaining alignment with IS and business strategy

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to articulate and champion programme goals to senior stakeholders and technical leadership

• Solid business and commercial acumen, including understanding of industry trends, innovation, and how digital solutions drive business value

• Proven ability to influence, negotiate, and resolve conflict in environments with competing priorities and limited resources

• Strong programme planning, governance and stakeholder management skills, with experience owning integrated plans, milestones, dependencies, resources, budgets, risks and issues, and providing clear decisions and escalations to senior stakeholders

• A demonstrable track record using reporting and governance tools to monitor delivery and analyse programme performance

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, including both Waterfall and Agile approaches

• Familiarity with transition service agreements and exit planning.

• Relevant project or programme management qualifications, such as PMI / PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, and/or Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success.We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here’s what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.