Programme Manager (Ref: 198162)

Forsyth Barnes; Manchester; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth Barnes is seeking a Programme Manager to direct a portfolio of complex change across business functions, technology teams, suppliers and partners. Success will be measured through governance, controlled investment, risk management and measurable outcomes in a regulated sector.

Working with senior leaders, you will define delivery approaches, align interdependent workstreams and maintain momentum from initiation through benefits realisation, balancing judgement, commercial awareness and

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex, multi-workstream programmes within a large or structured organisation.
• Proven track record turning strategic goals into operational or commercial outcomes.
• Strong governance, integrated planning, assurance and executive reporting.

Responsibilities

• Set direction and governance for a complex programme portfolio.
• Translate objectives into integrated plans covering scope, milestones, resources and benefits.
• Chair governance forums and provide concise reporting to senior decision-makers.
• Control programme finances including budgets and forecasts.
• Oversee risks, issues, dependencies and change impacts.
• Coordinate delivery across operational, corporate, digital, technology and supplier workstreams.
• Build relationships with executives, regulators, partners and internal teams.
• Hold suppliers to agreed obligations and outcomes.
• Track benefits and intervene when value is at risk.
• Embed controls for safety, compliance and service continuity.
• Resolve cross-programme conflicts and elevate decisions with clear options.
• Strengthen delivery capability through lessons learned and coaching.

Skills

Complex programme leadership

Multi-workstream delivery

Governance reporting

Budget & forecasting

Risk management

Stakeholder influencing

Regulated environment experience

Programme/Project leadership

Education

PM qualification (MSP/PRINCE2/APM)

Job description

Salary: up to £80,000 per annum + benefits

Type: Perm

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.

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.
• 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.