Senior Programme Manager

Senior Programme Manager - Data, AI & Digital Transformation - £700 per day - Outside IR35- 6 months initial contract - Hybrid working from a site near Manchester airport - 2-3 days a week on site.

Were supporting a global organisation undertaking one of the largest digital transformation programmes in its history.

As part of a major investment in Data, Analytics, Automation and AI, were seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead the delivery of a strategically significant global transformation programme.

This is a high-profile leadership role, operating at Executive Committee (ExCo) level and partnering with senior business and technology leaders to shape strategy, govern delivery and ensure transformational initiatives deliver measurable commercial value. Youll be responsible for driving complex programmes across an international environment, balancing strategic priorities, governance, financial oversight and successful business outcomes.

The Role -

Working across multiple business functions and technology teams, youll provide programme leadership from concept through to implementation, ensuring initiatives remain aligned to organisational strategy while delivering tangible operational and commercial benefits.

Youll influence executive stakeholders, develop compelling business cases, establish robust governance and lead large, cross-functional teams through complex organisational change.

Key Responsibilities - 

• Lead the strategic delivery of a large-scale global Data, Analytics, Automation and AI transformation programme.
• Build trusted relationships with Executive Committee members and senior leadership, providing strategic advice, governance and delivery assurance.
• Establish and lead programme governance, steering committees, executive reporting and decision-making forums.
• Shape programme strategy, roadmap and investment priorities, ensuring alignment with wider business objectives.
• Develop and challenge business cases, ensuring use cases are prioritised based on commercial value, strategic impact, risk and return on investment.
• Own programme financial management, including budgets, forecasting, benefits realisation and investment governance.
• Lead multi-disciplinary delivery teams across business, technology and third-party partners within a complex global matrix organisation.
• Drive proactive management of programme risks, dependencies, issues and change across multiple workstreams.
• Ensure successful organisational adoption through effective change management, stakeholder engagement and business readiness.
• Provide clear executive-level reporting, communicating programme status, commercial performance, risks and strategic recommendations.

What Were Looking For - 

• Significant experience leading large-scale business transformation programmes within complex global organisations.
• Demonstrable experience engaging and influencing Executive Committee (ExCo) or Board-level stakeholders.
• Strong strategic programme leadership experience, balancing business priorities, technology delivery and organisational change.
• Proven commercial acumen with experience developing business cases, evaluating investment decisions, shaping use cases and driving measurable business outcomes.
• Experience leading programmes involving Data, Analytics, AI, Automation or Digital Transformation.
• Strong understanding of programme governance, portfolio management, financial planning and benefits realisation.
• Experience operating within complex matrix organisations with multiple senior stakeholder groups.
• Excellent executive communication skills with the ability to influence, challenge and build consensus across business and technology leadership.
• Strong knowledge of programme delivery methodologies including MSP, Agile, PRINCE2, SAFe or equivalent.
• Experience within FMCG, Retail, Consumer Goods or similarly complex international organisations would be highly advantageous.

Why Apply?

• Lead one of the organisations most strategically important transformation programmes.
• Operate at Executive Committee level with genuine influence over business strategy and investment decisions.
• Shape the future direction of Data, Analytics, Automation and AI across a global organisation.
• Join a collaborative, forward-thinking organisation investing heavily in digital innovation.
• Work on high-profile initiatives with significant executive visibility and long-term business impact.
• Play a pivotal role in delivering transformational change that drives commercial performance, operational excellence and sustainable growth.