Principal Delivery Manager (Public Sector)

Description

The company is hiring a Principal Delivery Manager for one of its sector portfolios: Public, Healthcare, Defence or Commercial.

You will run complex digital transformation programmes and set up conditions where several multidisciplinary teams and suppliers can deliver results that can be measured, with clear governance, solid commercial performance and trusted senior client relationships.

You will work with Director and C-level stakeholders to learn their priorities, help shape delivery strategy and spot chances to deepen relationships and grow accounts.

You will manage capacity and resourcing across your engagements, working with account teams and BU Operations to staff projects with the right people.

You will lead, coach and support delivery teams so people can grow, while helping the Sector business and the wider Delivery capability develop.

Responsibilities

• Run high-value digital programmes that span several teams, workstreams and suppliers, keeping delivery in line with strategic goals and producing measurable results for customers and end users.
• Set success criteria for each programme that look beyond time, budget and scope, including long-term impact, client satisfaction and ongoing improvement.
• Make sound senior delivery decisions in fast-moving, difficult situations, weighing client priorities, the company commercial interests and the effect on people.
• Set direction and align plans so that dependencies, risks and delivery problems are actively handled.
• Own programme financials, hitting or beating agreed profit targets and forecasting and reporting cost, revenue and margin accurately.
• Know the contracts and commercial terms behind your programmes, protecting the company and keeping delivery compliant.
• Build trust with Director and C-level stakeholders, manage their expectations and strengthen their confidence in the company as a delivery partner.
• Find and develop ways to grow the Sector accounts you support, contributing to account strategy, customer conversations, proposals, bids and pitches.
• Work with Sales, Account Leads and Account Management to shape strong responses that fit client needs, procurement rules and changing priorities.
• Build an inclusive environment where multidisciplinary teams can perform well, learn and keep improving.
• Lead, coach and develop delivery leaders and programme teams by setting clear expectations, giving regular feedback and supporting development goals.
• Own capacity and staffing across your engagements, working with BU Operations to predict demand, make good resourcing choices and help new joiners get started.
• Help with recruitment, succession planning and growing the Delivery capability.
• Take on wider management and leadership duties across the Sector business and Delivery capability when needed.
• Set up and maintain proportionate programme governance, with clear accountability, effective decisions and strong technical quality standards.
• Manage programme risks, issues and dependencies, escalating them when needed to protect outcomes and client confidence.
• Give suitable assurance across several workstreams and suppliers so progress, quality and commercial performance are visible.
• Make sure teams follow confidentiality, non-disclosure and information security rules at all times.
• Encourage new technology, process and working methods, helping teams use new tools to improve delivery, team experience and customer outcomes.
• Lead and carry out changes that raise efficiency and add value for clients and the company.
• Share learning and successes inside the company, with customers and through relevant external industry channels.
• Keep improving the Management capability and stay up to date with current thinking in Technology, Experience Design and Consulting.

Requirements

• Significant experience delivering complex digital programmes in a consultancy, professional services or similar setting.
• Digital delivery experience and stakeholder management in a complex environment.
• Proven record of leading large-scale digital transformation programmes across several teams and suppliers.
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments.
• A strong record of delivering good outcomes while balancing customer needs, commercial goals and delivery performance.
• Experience setting up programme governance and managing risks, issues and assurance in complex delivery settings.
• Experience building trusted relationships and influencing senior stakeholders, including Director and/or C-level decision makers.
• Experience leading, developing and coaching high-performing teams, including line management.
• Excellent communication, influencing and decision-making skills, with the ability to work well among complex stakeholders.
• Able to work on customer sites and travel when required.
• Eligible to achieve SC clearance, which requires living in the UK continuously for 5 years and passing background checks. This applies to the Public and Defence sectors.
• Desirable: experience delivering programmes in central government, healthcare, defence or another highly regulated environment.
• Desirable: broad technology experience and awareness of emerging trends, including AI, with curiosity about how they can improve delivery and customer outcomes.
• Desirable: strong business development and account growth experience, including account planning, bids, proposals and procurement.
• Desirable: evidence of winning follow-on work or expanding existing client relationships.
• Desirable: experience improving management, delivery or leadership practices across a team, account or organisation.

Conditions

Work at customer sites and travel when required.

Eligible to achieve SC clearance, which requires living in the UK continuously for 5 years and passing background checks. This applies to the Public and Defence sectors.

The company welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and treats everyone equally, and adjustments can be discussed in a private conversation during recruitment.