Programme Manager (Ref: 197821)

Forsyth Barnes Consultancy; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth Barnes Consultancy is seeking a Programme Manager to lead a portfolio of complex change across a regulated energy/utility context. You will translate strategic priorities into coordinated delivery with technology, suppliers and operations, reporting to senior stakeholders and maintaining governance and benefits realisation.

The role requires decisive judgment, commercial awareness and a proven track record in managing multi‑workstream programmes within structured organisations.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience leading complex, multi-workstream programmes.
• Strong track record converting strategic goals into delivered outcomes.
• Governance, planning, assurance, reporting and executive support experience.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasts, resources and procurement.
• Ability to identify risks, issues, dependencies and constraints.
• Experience communicating with senior executives and coordinating matrixed teams.
• Exposure to regulated, asset-intensive or essential-service environments.
• PM qualifications such as MSP, PRINCE2, Agile or APM beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Set direction and success measures for a complex programme portfolio.
• Translate strategy into integrated plans with milestones and benefits.
• Chair governance forums and report to senior decision-makers.
• Control programme finances, including budgets and forecasts.
• Ongoing oversight of risks, issues, dependencies and change impacts.
• Coordinate delivery across operations, digital, technology and suppliers.
• Build relationships with executives, regulators and partners.
• Strengthen delivery capability through coaching and lessons learned.

Skills

Multi-workstream programme leadership

Governance and reporting

Budget and forecasts

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Matrixed teams coordination

Regulatory awareness

Education

PM qualification (MSP/PRINCE2/Agile/APM)

Job description

About Us

Operating within the energy, utilities and waste sector, our client supports the delivery of essential services in an environment shaped by regulation, operational complexity and long‑term infrastructure priorities. The organisation requires disciplined change leadership to improve performance, manage risk and deliver programmes that support resilient, efficient and sustainable services across Manchester and wider stakeholder networks.

Job Description

This Programme Manager will direct a portfolio of complex change, translating strategic priorities into coordinated delivery across business functions, technology teams, suppliers and operational partners. Success will be measured through clear governance, controlled investment, effective risk management and the achievement of measurable business and service outcomes. Working with senior leaders, you will define delivery approaches, align interdependent workstreams and maintain momentum from initiation through implementation and benefits realisation. The position calls for confident judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to bring clarity to decisions in a regulated sector where delivery quality, resilience and accountability are critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the direction, delivery model and success measures for a complex programme portfolio.
• Translate strategic objectives into integrated plans covering scope, milestones, resources, dependencies and benefits.
• Chair governance forums and provide concise, evidence‑based reporting to senior decision‑makers.
• Control programme finances, including budgets, forecasts, investment decisions and corrective action.
• Maintain active oversight of risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies and change impacts.
• Coordinate delivery across operational, corporate, digital, technology and supplier workstreams.
• Build productive relationships with executives, regulators, partners, contractors and internal delivery teams.
• Hold suppliers and delivery partners to agreed obligations, standards, milestones and outcomes.
• Track benefits throughout the programme lifecycle and intervene where expected value is at risk.
• Embed proportionate controls that support safety, compliance, resilience and service continuity.
• Resolve cross‑programme conflicts and elevate decisions with clear recommendations and options.
• Strengthen delivery capability through consistent methods, lessons learned, coaching and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Substantial experience leading complex, multi‑workstream programmes within a large or highly structured organisation.
• A strong record of converting strategic goals into delivered operational, commercial, technology or infrastructure outcomes.
• Demonstrable command of programme governance, integrated planning, assurance, reporting and executive decision support.
• Practical experience managing budgets, forecasts, resources, benefits, procurement activity and supplier performance.
• Advanced capability in identifying and resolving risks, issues, dependencies and delivery constraints.
• Confidence communicating with senior executives and influencing stakeholders across competing priorities.
• Experience leading matrixed teams and coordinating contributors who do not report directly to the role.
• A structured, analytical approach with the judgement to balance pace, control, quality and organisational risk.
• Understanding of regulated, asset‑intensive or essential‑service environments, such as energy, utilities, waste, infrastructure or public services.
• Awareness of regulatory obligations, operational resilience, service continuity and the wider consequences of programme decisions.
• Experience managing external partners, commercial relationships and complex delivery ecosystems.
• A recognised programme or project management qualification, such as MSP, PRINCE2, Agile, APM or an equivalent professional credential, would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Ownership of high‑impact programmes connected to essential services and long‑term sector priorities.
• Visibility with senior stakeholders and the opportunity to influence investment, operating models and organisational performance.
• A varied remit spanning strategic planning, transformation, governance, commercial oversight and operational delivery.
• Access to a broad professional network across energy, utilities, infrastructure, technology and public‑service environments.
• Support for relevant professional development, formal qualifications and continued programme leadership growth.
• A Manchester‑based opportunity situated within a sector where resilient and sustainable delivery has tangible public value.
• The scope to improve delivery standards, strengthen programme capability and leave a lasting organisational contribution.
• A role with meaningful responsibility for managing change that affects service reliability, efficiency and stakeholder outcomes.

Other

Based in Manchester, this opportunity suits a programme leader who can operate confidently between strategy and execution. You will be expected to bring structure to ambiguity, challenge constructively and maintain delivery discipline while priorities evolve.

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