Project Manager - Digital Transformation (Red : 194648)

Forsyth Barnes; Crewe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm in automotive manufacturing is seeking a Project Manager for a six-month digital transformation program. The successful candidate will lead a critical service transition initiative, ensuring service continuity while managing multiple vendors. Ideal applicants will possess proven experience in managing complex IT transitions and have a strong grasp of project management methodologies. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills are required, along with the ability to operate effectively in high-pressure environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering complex IT service transitions.
• Ability to manage high-risk transitions with structured planning.
• Experience in a fast‑paced, private‑sector environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the service transition programme within the timeline.
• Design and execute the transition plan using traditional methods.
• Coordinate services across multiple vendors and teams.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and service levels.
• Manage risks and maintain service continuity during the transition.
• Provide progress updates to stakeholders.

Skills

Project management methodologies (PRINCE2 / Waterfall)

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk management

Vendor coordination

Job description

Job Title : Project Manager - Digital Transformation

Location : Crewe 3 days a week

Industry : Automotive Manufacturing

Contract Length : 6 months initially

Day Rate : Up to £550

IR 35 Status : Outside

Role Context

The organisation is currently undertaking a competitive tender process to appoint alternative IT service providers. The successful candidate will lead a critical six-month service transition programme, exiting the incumbent vendor and onboarding multiple new providers, with the objective of having all services fully operational by Q1 next year.

This role requires a specialist transition expert to take ownership of this complex, multi-vendor change and significantly de‑risk delivery.

Role Purpose

To lead and coordinate the end-to-end IT service transition from the incumbent provider to newly appointed vendors, ensuring continuity of service across the enterprise while meeting all contractual, commercial, and operational commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the full service transition programme within the agreed six-month timeline.
• Design and execute the transition plan from scratch, following a structured, traditional project management lifecycle.
• Coordinate multiple vendors delivering services across network and infrastructure, 1st and 2nd line support, business systems, and enterprise IT services.
• Ensure all transition activities align with contractual obligations, service levels, and agreed milestones.
• Act as the central point of coordination for transition-related activities across IT, Finance, Legal, and wider business functions.
• Proactively manage risks, issues, and dependencies to maintain service continuity throughout the transition.
• Provide clear, concise progress reporting and governance updates to senior stakeholders and the executive sponsor.

Stakeholder Environment

• Executive Sponsor : CIO / Head of IT
• Key Stakeholders : Senior IT Leadership Team, Finance, Legal, Infrastructure, and Desktop teams
• Vendors : Primarily UK-based suppliers, with some offshore delivery teams (India)
• Change Driver : Performance and service quality challenges with the incumbent vendor

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience delivering complex IT service transitions, ideally client-side, with direct responsibility for migrating from legacy to new vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to guide organisations through high-risk transition periods, applying structured planning to de-risk delivery.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and communication skills, with the political awareness to operate effectively at executive level.
• Deep understanding of traditional project management methodologies (PRINCE2 / Waterfall), including stage gates and governance.
• Hands‑on, delivery‑focused approach with a strong grasp of end‑to‑end project lifecycles.
• Experience working in fast‑paced, private‑sector environments is highly desirable.