Programme Manager - FTC

linklaters; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Linklaters is seeking an experienced Programme Manager to oversee end-to-end, high-impact programmes within a global professional services firm. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage the full lifecycle, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives to realise benefits.

The role requires a track record of delivering complex initiatives in a matrixed environment, with strong stakeholder engagement and governance oversight.

Qualifications

• Five or more years' experience in managing high-impact programmes in a global professional services firm, preferably in the legal sector.
• Track record of leading a high-performing team in a matrixed programme environment, managing the full programme lifecycle and collaborating with key stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with a proven ability to drive best practice and align with firm goals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end programme management, mobilisation, business case development, planning, scope, budget, timeline, and resource management.
• Develop and execute change enablement strategies to support programme implementation.
• Manage risks, issues, and dependencies to ensure seamless delivery and integration.
• Align programme outcomes with business cases and strategic objectives for realised benefits.
• Facilitate governance and ensure effective senior leadership decision-making.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication for change adoption.
• Prepare reports and presentations on programme status for senior leadership.
• Monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead a matrixed team, setting goals and guiding performance.

Skills

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Risk management

Change enablement

Education

PRINCE2

MSP

Job description

Purpose

Oversees the end-to-end management of high-impact programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and successful delivery of outcomes. Leads cross-functional teams, manages the full programme lifecycle, identifies risks, and collaborates with key stakeholders to ensure resources, scope, and timelines are effectively managed and benefits are realised.

Your key responsibilities

• Oversees end-to-end programme management, including programme mobilisation, business case development, planning, scope, budget, timeline, resource management, and service transition.
• Works with other members of the team to develop and executes change enablement strategies to support successful programme implementation.
• Manages risks, issues, and dependencies to ensure seamless programme delivery and integration.
• Aligns programme outcomes with business cases and strategic objectives to ensure benefits realisation.
• Facilitates programme governance, ensuring that the programme has the right steering committee composition and that strategic decisions are made effectively.
• Facilitates stakeholder engagement, ensures effective communication and preparation for change adoption.
• Prepares reports and presentations for senior leadership, provides updates on programme status and progress.
• Monitors programme performance to identify and address challenges or opportunities for improvement.
• Drives best practice in programme management and ensures alignment with the Firm's overall goals.
• Leads a high-performing team in a matrixed programme environment, developing and implementing team goals and providing guidance to enhance team performance.

Your experience

Five or more years' experience in managing high-impact programmes in a global professional services firm, preferably in the legal sector . Track record of leading a high-performing team in a matrixed programme environment, managing the full programme lifecycle and collaborating with key stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to drive best practice and ensure alignment with the Firm's goals . Solution-oriented thinking, commitment to best practice, and a keen eye for identifying value opportunities. Forward-thinking, collaborative, and inclusive mindset in line with Linklaters' values and culture.

Qualifications

A recognised project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE 2 Practitioner or APM equivalent), programme management certification (e.g. MSP) and demonstrated continuing professional development.

The Team

The Business Change team partners with stakeholders across the firm to deliver change initiatives that align with strategic goals-whether through process optimisation, technology implementation, organisational transformation, or cultural change. The team plays a crucial role in ensuring that change is delivered effectively, sustainably, and with minimal disruption. This role offers exposure to a broad range of projects and change methodologies, providing significant opportunities for professional development and meaningful contribution.

Linklaters

Linklaters is a global law firm, providing legal services in 20 countries and through 30 offices.

Linklaters is a people business. Being best in class in the eyes of our clients means that our people must be exceptional.

We look not only for brilliant minds, but for people who will thrive in our environment: people who love working collaboratively and demonstrate the innovative, efficient, agile, entrepreneurial, and responsible mind-set we aim to bring to every interaction.

Ours is an environment of outperformance. We achieve this not with targets and incentives, but by fostering a positive, supportive, fair, and open atmosphere.

We respect and value difference but insist on inclusivity. We celebrate all aspects of diversity and challenge any form of bias. This is vital to our ability to work as one team, with a common goal.

What sets us apart

• At Linklaters
• We offer a truly global work experience and the opportunity to be involved in strategic projects that drive innovation and shape the future of our business
• We belong to a firm that embodies its corporate social, environment, and governance responsibility commitments
• We remain focused on talent and having the best people which will result in a diverse workforce
• Having got the best people, we want them to feel included, valued and respected so they can perform at their best
• We advocate speak-up culture to empower our people in sharing their voices and an open-door policy to ensure they are listened to
• We invest in custom-fit career paths for our people in line with their talents and aspirations
• We provide agile working solutions to meet the changing needs of our people and our business
• We are committed to people first relationships based on mutual trust