Programme Director

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.

We are actively looking for a Programme Director , who will be responsible for the successful delivery of a portfolio of integration and transformation technology change programmes as part of an Acquisition Programme. As Programme Director you will work to build and maintain an accurate view of the portfolio’s programmes and projects, with a particular focus on portfolio delivery performance, cost, resourcing, risks and issues.

About the role:

• Collaborate closely with the Transformation Leadership Team, business stakeholders, and business functions to ensure there is close alignment and consensus on the scope, budget and schedule required for transformation.
• Ensure programme delivery is prioritised and proceeds following the integration principles of safety, value, simplicity and is time-bound to ensure stable exit from the Temporary Services Agreement (TSA).
• Oversee the delivery of the multi-year programmes of work including those for Infrastructure & Operations , Supplier Commercials, Enterprise Management Systems (EMS), Enterprise Applications and Data programmes. This involves planning, executing, and monitoring various integration and transformation initiatives, projects, and enhancements in alignment with the release schedule.
• Oversee the Transformation Project Office’s performance and delivery, ensuring they provide fit-for-purpose, proactive, and dynamic support to the IS Integration function.
• Work with the Global IS Projects Senior Manager to ensure the Integration project delivery capability is resourced to agreed levels, both in terms of staff, contract, and managed service resources. Specifically, that Integration has sufficient project managers, business analysts and programme managers .

Requirements

Here’s what the role looks like:

• Extensive experience of coordinating, aligning and delivering technical change in a post-merger and acquisition information systems ecosystem.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to develop and communicate the portfolio objectives, inspire and motivate staff, and maintain alignment with, Transformation, Integration, and business strategy.
• Extensive experience of managing multiple large projects or programmes both individually, and as part of a larger technology enabled business programme or portfolio.
• Extensive experience of leading Integration programmes in addition to delivering technology upgrades and mandatory software releases.
• Experience of managing large technology teams in a cross functional organisation.
• Significant experience of vendor relationship and performance management.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain and “sell” the programme goals and objectives to the stakeholders and to technical leadership.
• Strong business acumen, in particular, industry and domain-specific knowledge of the organisation and its business units. Familiarity with industry trends and innovation, and how other organisations are using them to drive integration and digital business.
• Conflict resolution, influencing and negotiation experience and skills in an environment with high competition for resources.
• Strong project and programme planning and execution skills.
• Demonstrable ability to develop programmes and deliver them against financial and resource constraints.
• Proven track record with the use of reporting tools to monitor programme and portfolio activities and analyse their performance.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles including Waterfall and Agile.

Qualifications in one of the following project delivery methodology or frameworks and experience of others, such as:

PMI standards , PMP, PRINCE2 , Agile , Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success.

We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life.  In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.

Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.  We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.

A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more…..

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement.  If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience.  We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.