Programme Manager - FTC

1050 Linklaters Business Serv; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global opportunities and projects

Diversity and inclusion mindset

Flexible/agile working options

Career development and mentoring

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

Linklaters seeks an experienced Programme Manager to oversee end-to-end delivery of high-impact initiatives within the firm's global change agenda. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage the full programme lifecycle, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives to realise benefits.

The role requires five or more years managing complex programmes in a professional services environment, with strong governance, risk and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience managing high-impact programmes in global professional services.
• Proven track record leading a matrixed team and full programme lifecycle.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end programme management including mobilisation, business case, planning, budget and governance.
• Develop and implement change enablement strategies to support programme delivery.
• Identify and manage risks, issues and dependencies across the lifecycle.
• Align outcomes with business cases and strategic objectives to realise benefits.
• Prepare reports and updates for senior leadership on status and progress.

Skills

Budget management

Risk management

Change management

Stakeholder management

Plan management

Project management

Resource management

Schedule management

Education

PRINCE2 Practitioner / MSP training

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.

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. We are excited to welcome individuals who are forward-thinking, solution-oriented, and passionate about making a positive impact through well‑executed change.

Technical Skills

• Budget Management
• Change Management
• Cost Management
• Plan Management
• PPM Frameworks & Methodologies
• Program Designing
• Project/Initiative Benefits Management
• Project Management
• Project Scoping
• Projects Design
• Resource Management
• Risk Management
• Schedule Management
• Stakeholder Management

Benefits and Perks

• 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, respect, and appreciation
• We support the health and wellbeing of our people, providing a safe space to talk about emotions and mental health with access to expert advice as needed
• We invest in developing leaders of the future who demonstrate emotional intelligence and a passion to discover, coach and develop the talents of others

About Linklaters

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.

Eligibility and Selection

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre‑engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers. Your offer will be subject to the successful completion of these checks which will be initiated following your consent.

Equality and Diversity

We recruit on the basis of merit, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Selection decisions, and the reasons for those decisions, are recorded at each stage of the selection process.

Selection criteria and, where appropriate, technical skills tests are in place to measure an individual’s ability for the safe and effective performance of a job.

Those involved in recruitment and selection decisions and processes are also provided with guidance on diversity issues.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the selection process, please talk to a member of the recruitment team so that any required adjustments can be made in advance.

Specific experience requirements advertised on a role do not intend to preclude applications from candidates who may have more or less experience.

Our intention is only to indicate a guideline as to the necessary skills for the role as described.