Programme Manager - Permanent

Wunderman Thompson; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus scheme

Training opportunities

Pension

Medical insurance

Life assurance

Social events

Holiday buy/sell

Job summary

WPP Enterprise Solutions is seeking a Programme Manager to lead complex, multi-team initiatives with a focus on ecommerce migrations and digital transformation. You will work closely with Account Directors to drive delivery within budget and timescales, shaping governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement across client teams.

You will oversee governance, resource planning and vendor management, while mentoring project managers and ensuring benefits are realized.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple teams across workstreams.
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle & release management.
• Proven track record delivering ecommerce migration/re-platform projects.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Experience in multi-vendor management and handling budgets for programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery across the programme and manage multiple workstreams.
• Analyse risks, produce programme reports for management and stakeholders.
• Set and enforce ways of working and governance at programme start.
• Maintain resource plans and track project dependencies.
• Manage third-party vendors on behalf of the client.
• Build relationships with client stakeholders at all levels.
• Guide project managers and provide line management support.
• Ensure delivery targets and benefits realization across the programme.

Skills

Team management

SDLC knowledge

Ecommerce migration

Stakeholder mgmt

Negotiation skills

Multi-vendor mgmt

Budget management

Agile delivery

Agile transition

English fluency

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Programme Manager needed to join our team on a permanent basis.

The opportunity:

You lead teams to deliver high quality, complex project(s) on budget and within a specified timeframe to achieve the potential benefits defined in the business case. You work closely with the Account Director to achieve productivity goals and contribute to the organisation’s overall success.

What you’ll be doing:

• Accountable for all delivery across the programme

• Analyse, evaluate, and overcome programme risks, and produce accurate programme reports for management and stakeholders

• Maintain organisational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance, including the creation and implementation of ways of working at the start of a programme

• Create and implement effective ways of working at the start of the programme and ensure these are adhered to throughout the project lifecycle

• Track and manage dependencies between projects and workstreams, creating programme level plans to ensure these are addressed

• Ensure programme goals are reached by keeping the workstreams updated on progress and any changes that need to be made.

• Provide support and guidance to project managers within your account and line management for several project managers outside of your account.

• Maintain a resource plan showing resource commitment across the projects and keep track of potential end dates in association with functional lead personnel

• Track resource requests and manage fulfilment of these requests internally or externally as appropriate

• Develop strong relationships with the team members and client stakeholders at all levels

• Work with the client to understand their vision and plan the programme of work to successfully achieve that vision to the greatest effect

• Define and implement programme level governance in conjunction with the client

• Manage third party vendors on behalf of the client

What we want from you:

• Experience in managing multiple teams across different workstreams. As a minimum, if in a team management role, this should be at least 20 people

• A good understanding of the software development lifecycle & release management

• Proven track record in the successful delivery of an ecommerce migration/Re-platform

• Strong stakeholder management skills

• Excellent negotiation skills & an ability to handle sensitive issues with tact & diplomacy

• Exposure to medium to large scale fixed price project delivery

• Experience in multi-vendor management

• Experience of managing people and financial budgets (including programme budgeting, monitoring financials etc.) ideally in an eCommerce environment

• Experience of overseeing 3rd parties

• Excellent risk management skills

• Experience working in an Agile environment

• Proven track record of working with organisations moving from Waterfall to Agile delivery approaches

• Working knowledge of Agile frameworks, Scrum and Kanban

• Effective leadership skills with experience of managing other project managers.

• Strong time management & organisational skills.

• Excellent communication and relationship management skills

• Good commercial knowledge, experience of contract negotiations would be advantageous.

• Software Application Development related Project management experience.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

• Minimum BA/BS degree with a major in information management, marketing, communications, business or other closely-related areas is an advantage

What we can offer you

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

Permanent onlyWe offer a great benefits package including a discretionary bonus scheme, training opportunities, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, social events, opportunities to buy and sell holidays, family friendly policies, discounts with hundreds of retailers and much more.

Our culture thrives on our core values, designed for impact-driven individuals: Heart, Brains and Courage.

We lead with Heart, fostering empathy and trust where genuine connections and human-centric work flourish. We empower your Brains for innovation, valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges.And we champion Courage, inspiring you to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

At WPP Enterprise Solutions

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernisation, connecting strategy directly to execution.

Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX, work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. We have received distinction as a leader in Commerce Services and CX Strategy Consulting by the Forrester Wave

To find out more, visit enterprisesolutions.wpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

WPP Enterprise Solutions is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

#LI-EMEA #LI-HYBRID

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.