Programme Manager

at  Card Factory

Job Introduction
We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to join our Transformation Team! This is an exciting opportunity to lead several large and medium-sized Enterprise-wide strategic projects. As a Programme Manager, you will manage a portfolio of complex initiatives that support the achievement of strategic objectives. You’ll ensure that the overall program is aligned to these objectives and delivered to scope, budget and timescale. Furthermore, you’ll communicate with stakeholders through clear governance.
If you have experience in managing complex initiatives and delivering key strategic projects, we encourage you to apply today!
The position is based at Junction 41 in Wakefield, just off the M1, and offers free parking and a flexible, hybrid way of working. However, all colleagues are required to work in the office for a minimum of 2 to 3 days per week, with the expectation of added attendance when needed.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and manage all aspects of project and program engagement from planning, external vendor relationships, communications, resources, budget, change, risks and issues
• Extensive understanding of project and program management principles, methods and techniques and participate in establishing practices, templates, policies, tools and partnerships to expand and mature these capabilities for the organization
• Provide status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverable, dependencies, risks and issues, communicating across leadership
• Understand interdependencies between technology, operations and business needs
• Demonstrate a functional acumen to support how solutions will address business goals while maintaining alignment with industry best practices
• Participate and/or drive feasibility studies, vendor selections and proposals for evaluation by appropriate key stakeholders
• Assist in dispute, negotiation, arbitration or litigation, as needed
• Define the Statement of Work and Specifications for the requested goods and services
• Monitor, track and control outcomes to resolve issues, conflicts, dependencies and critical path deliverables
• Define success criteria and disseminate them to involved parties throughout project and program life cycle

The Ideal Candidate

• Excellent experience in SDLC Methodologies, Agile, SCRUM, SDLC / Waterfall
• Strong leadership, diplomatic and motivational skills including the ability to lead up, across and down multiple business and technology organizations
• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation and excellence
• Build and maintain relationships by engaging business leaders to establish credibility, solve problems, build consensus and achieve objectives
• Excellent leadership, communication (written, verbal and presentation) and interpersonal skills
• Research best practices within and outside the organization to establish benchmark data and use continuous process improvement disciplines to achieve results
• Tools: MS Project, Excel, Word and PowerPoint; Visio
• Experience negotiating vendor contracts
• Experience drafting and submitting budget proposals and recommending subsequent budget changes where necessary
• Experience in successfully leading projects and programs to on-time, on-schedule and within budget close
• Experience leading, motivating and managing various project and program team sizes, including internal and external resources, while holding team accountable for performance
• Responsible for delivery of at least three “large scale” Programme (SAP/HR System/Network Transformation)

About The Company
Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland. In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer. This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.
In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial well-being.

• Develop and manage all aspects of project and program engagement from planning, external vendor relationships, communications, resources, budget, change, risks and issues
• Extensive understanding of project and program management principles, methods and techniques and participate in establishing practices, templates, policies, tools and partnerships to expand and mature these capabilities for the organization
• Provide status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverable, dependencies, risks and issues, communicating across leadership
• Understand interdependencies between technology, operations and business needs
• Demonstrate a functional acumen to support how solutions will address business goals while maintaining alignment with industry best practices
• Participate and/or drive feasibility studies, vendor selections and proposals for evaluation by appropriate key stakeholders
• Assist in dispute, negotiation, arbitration or litigation, as needed
• Define the Statement of Work and Specifications for the requested goods and services
• Monitor, track and control outcomes to resolve issues, conflicts, dependencies and critical path deliverables
• Define success criteria and disseminate them to involved parties throughout project and program life cycl