Programme Manager

Are you Robert Walters?

Robert Walters Global Service Centre is seeking a Global Business Services Programme Manager to orchestrate a portfolio of strategic projects and service improvements that will shape the future of their business services landscape. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to step into a pivotal role where your expertise in programme-level steering, operational governance, and hands-on project delivery will be highly valued. You will be at the heart of a multi-disciplined environment, connecting executive vision with coordinated execution across diverse workstreams. The organisation offers a collaborative culture, flexible working opportunities, and the chance to make a tangible impact on global operations. If you are passionate about driving transformation, enjoy working with cross-functional teams, and thrive in environments where your ability to manage complexity and foster alignment is celebrated, this role provides the platform for you to excel.

• Take ownership of a high-impact programme that spans multiple regions and functions, ensuring all initiatives are aligned with long-term organisational goals and deliver measurable value.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities within a supportive network that values knowledge sharing, professional development, and inclusive collaboration across Operations, IT, HR, Finance, Legal, Technology, and regional business units.
• Be empowered to balance strategic oversight with hands-on project management for critical initiatives—your ability to connect people, processes, and priorities will be instrumental in shaping the success of the Global Business Services agenda.

What you'll do:

As a Global Business Services Programme Manager you will play an integral role in shaping how business services are delivered globally. Your day-to-day responsibilities will see you acting as both a strategic integrator—ensuring all workstreams operate cohesively—and as a hands-on leader who steps into tactical execution when needed. You will coordinate multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining clear communication channels between executives and delivery teams. By fostering strong partnerships with key stakeholders from Operations through to Technology and regional units you will ensure every initiative supports broader organisational objectives. Your commitment to governance excellence means you will oversee risk management frameworks/budget controls while championing continuous improvement efforts that drive operational efficiency. Success in this role requires not only technical proficiency but also outstanding interpersonal skills; your ability to nurture relationships/inspire trust/collaborate effectively will underpin your impact on both immediate project outcomes and long-term business transformation.

• Lead the end-to-end Global Business Services Programme by ensuring all projects, workstreams, and initiatives are cohesively advancing the organisation’s strategic roadmap.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive programme roadmaps that clearly outline milestones, interdependencies, objectives, and governance cycles in line with best practice standards.
• Establish and facilitate effective programme governance forums such as steering committees, leadership reviews, and working groups to ensure robust oversight and stakeholder engagement.
• Own the demand management process by reviewing, validating, and prioritising business requests while balancing capacity constraints and strategic priorities.
• Oversee the entire project portfolio within the programme by sequencing initiatives appropriately and ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximise outcomes.
• Coordinate legal, compliance, data-protection, and regulatory considerations across all workstreams to guarantee adherence to relevant policies and frameworks.
• Partner closely with Operations, IT, HR, Finance, Legal, Technology teams as well as regional business units to drive alignment and foster seamless cross-functional collaboration.
• Manage interdependencies across projects by proactively identifying risks or constraints and implementing mitigation strategies that support successful delivery.
• Deliver direct hands-on project management for complex or high-visibility workstreams including building detailed project plans, managing timelines/resources, facilitating meetings, tracking deliverables/issues resolution, and ensuring successful adoption/rollout.
• Monitor programme-level risks/issues through robust escalation frameworks while overseeing budgets/resource allocation to maintain financial health throughout the lifecycle.
• Produce executive-ready reports/dashboards/status updates that highlight progress against objectives as well as risks/opportunities/impacts for senior stakeholders.
• Lead change management/communication plans designed to ensure stakeholder alignment/adoption readiness/clarity across all levels of the organisation.
• Drive standardisation/simplification/process optimisation efforts across GBS operations to enhance predictability/delivery efficiency.

What you bring:

To excel as a Global Business Services Programme Manager you will bring substantial experience managing large-scale programmes within complex matrixed or multinational settings. Your background should include formal qualifications such as PMP/MSP/PgMP certifications which demonstrate your understanding of industry-standard methodologies. You have successfully led cross-functional teams through intricate multi-workstream programmes—balancing strategic vision with practical delivery—and have consistently ensured alignment between executive intent/project execution. Your technical proficiency extends beyond basic tools; you are adept at leveraging Microsoft project/portfolio platforms for transparent reporting/resource tracking. Interpersonal sensitivity is one of your hallmarks: you build rapport quickly with stakeholders at all levels from boardroom through operational teams fostering trust/cooperation even under pressure. Your written/oral communication skills enable you to distil complex information into clear actionable insights for diverse audiences. Above all your disciplined approach ensures rigorous governance/risk control while your passion for continuous improvement drives positive change throughout every aspect of the programme.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience demonstrating foundational knowledge required for complex programme management roles.
• Minimum of five years' experience in programme management/project portfolio management/multi-project delivery within matrixed or global organisations reflecting proven capability in similar environments.
• PMP/MSP/PgMP or comparable certification evidencing formal training in recognised programme/project management methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional/multi-workstream programmes encompassing strategic planning/governance/risk management/stakeholder engagement responsibilities.
• Proven ability to switch seamlessly between providing strategic oversight at programme level and delivering hands-on project management for priority initiatives as required by modern frameworks.
• Strong command of Microsoft project/portfolio tools alongside advanced dashboard/documentation skills supporting transparent reporting/decision-making processes.
• Exceptional stakeholder management abilities enabling effective partnership with executives/senior leaders/technical or operational teams across geographies/functions.
• Excellent verbal/written communication skills including experience producing executive-level summaries/programme dashboards tailored for senior audiences.
• Ability to interpret complex business roadmaps/translating them into structured/outcome-driven programme/project plans that align with organisational strategy.
• Strong organisational discipline/attention to detail coupled with unwavering commitment to maintaining governance excellence throughout all phases of delivery.
• Experience in Shared Services industry is a must

This is role is a Fixed Term Contract of 12 months