Strategic Programme Practitioner

​Our client, a large Defence supplier, is looking for an experienced Strategic Programme Practitioner to join their team. The role will operate within a project team at a large secure government department in Cheltenham.

The client requires a minimum of 2 days/week working on site but are open to hybrid working at other times. You will be asked to specify your requirements during the application process.

Initial contract will be scheduled to run for 220 days (circa 1 year). Rate is determined by SFIA bands and candidates will therefore be considered for rates depending on their experience:

•       SFIA band 4 experience, the maximum rate is up to £650/day.
•       SFIA band 5 experience, the maximum rate is up to £780/day.
•       SFIA band 6 experience, the maximum rate is up to £900/day.

IR35 STATUS: Inside IR35. Our client has indicated that they intend to operate the engagement as Inside IR35. Candidates would be required to operate through an FCSA registered umbrella company on this engagement. The rates above represent rate payable to the umbrella co.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 29/01/2024 at 12:00

This role requires candidates to hold current Enhanced DV clearance. As these are for requirements for contract resource, for early start, and due to the timescales to gain new clearances, candidates without current clearance cannot be considered on this occasion.

Role Description

You will be responsible for providing some of our most senior clients with the expertise and understanding needed to tackle the more complex challenges they face, from implementing financial and supplier management processes, to providing informed guidance on investment in programmes and projects in the context of current environmental conditions and the client organisation’s strategic objectives. You should be capable of fulfilling a range of roles;

•       Critical Friend – providing internal scrutiny of the case for new programmes or high-risk changes to existing programmes. You will provide an alternative lens in the review of data, and provide advice, encouragement, and the ability to challenge rigorously where required.
•       Subject Matter Expert – able to define appropriate procedures or standards within the project management discipline, successfully implement new methods to transform delivery, and advise on suitable metrics and performance levels for ongoing management.
•       Transformation Innovator - bringing additional leadership and expertise in the delivery of cutting edge organisational, capability or technology focused transformation and change.
•       Integrator – understanding the needs of senior management by providing them with the focused information needed to drive forward the strategic aims of the organisation whilst also ensuring that project teams are appropriately empowered and directed to ensure delivery.

Main Responsibilities

•       Producing key monthly outputs for senior decision makers
•       Implementing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)
•       Lead on planning and reporting of portfolio progress
•       Writing Business Cases that will be submitted to the Resource Council and Treasury
•       Strategic friend support

Skills and Experience

•       Senior consultancy skills required
•       Knowledge of agile methodologies (esp. planning concepts in agile)
•       Knowledge of JIRA desirable
•       Green book business case knowledge
•       Understanding of the theory and application of both waterfall and agile project management approaches
•       Recognised Programme/Portfolio management qualifications (MSP, MoP)
•       Knowledge and experience of financial management processes, change management and risk and issue management
•       Transformational change advisory or leadership experience
•       Able to listen and question effectively, and communicate with confidence at all levels
•       Commercially astute, able to effectively manage assignments on time, on budget. It is desirable if you have experience of managing 3rd Party Suppliers
•       Experience of working in Defence or Government markets

As an Individual

•       Positive attitude, able to motivate teams to find solutions to challenging problems
•       Well-developed stakeholder engagement and people management skills
•       Be self-motivated and confident, with strong people skills
•       Be able to gain client trust and identify opportunities for adding further value to the client relationship
•       Encourage collaboration
•       Lead by example
•       Be an excellent communicator, verbal (ability to listen) and written (able to write concisely) including the production (where required) of P3M documents/products
•       Be focussed on outcomes
•       Able to work under pressure and to meet challenging deadlines

Candidate Eligibility

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK, this role will not offer Visa sponsorship. Tier 2 – General visas cannot be accepted.

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