Programme Manager - 12 Month FTC

Up to 12-month Fixed Term Contract

About the job. 

Reporting into the Director of Enhancements you will lead a segment of a Major Projects Programme; managing the performance of project teams, external contractors and consultants and ensuring adherence to effective governance, quality assurance, health and safety, technical and specialist standards across the supply chain and National Highways, to ensure successful delivery of agreed project outcomes and acting in line with mandatory and delegated responsibilities.

This is a pivotal leadership role where you will oversee a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple locations, driving delivery excellence and strategic outcomes.  Acting as a key member of the Enhancements Leadership Team, you will actively contribute to the management and operation of the division, working closely with the Director of Enhancements and broader leadership team to support wider delivery and business management activities. 

Please note that this role can be based at any National Highways office; however, travel to Birmingham will be required twice a week.

Continuous improvement of health and safety performance and wellbeing within your team and the delivery of key performance indicators (as a minimum) for health and safety of the relevant programme or project 

• Development and maintenance of effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with programme objectives 


• Delivery of the programme in accordance with National Highways governance; ensure approvals are granted, value for money is delivered, and realisation of project benefits with the Project Sponsor


• Maintain compliance with the National Highways Portfolio, Programme and Project Management System (P3MS), clarifying roles and responsibilities within your team, and maintaining high standards for baseline management, the production of timely and accurate reports, and for creating and maintaining records


• Deliver commercial, financial, and schedule performance for all relevant projects; maintain high standards for budgeting, forecasting, and contractual management and ensure the Quality Assurance and the overall integrity of the programme or project


• Ensure the appointment of external delivery partners and consultants is in accordance with HE commercial governance.

About you.

• Hold or willing to attain certified project/programme management accreditation or demonstrate capability to achieve IPMA Level B (e.g., MSP Advanced Practitioner, APM) 


• Professional accreditation as Full Member of APM (MAPM) or relevant body, or commitment to attain


• Evidence of leadership on safety standards and implementation across multiple team structures in complex projects with a demonstrated ability to mentor and coach to develop project management talent


• Practicing or willing to become an accredited medium/high-risk reviewer to support delivery assurance


• Extensive experience leading people and teams to deliver complex, high-risk projects and high-profile change programmes within matrix organisations


• Proven track record of managing complex stakeholder relationships and influencing for positive outcomes along with strong commercial acumen with expertise in negotiating and managing contracts to deliver outcomes and drive value for money

About us. 

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership. 

Major Projects are responsible for major enhancements, complex renewals and 3^rd party schemes on our road network. We make roads safer, journeys more reliable and unlock economic growth.  At the same time, we seek out ways to create opportunities for sustainable travel, help nature to thrive and support our journey to net zero carbon. 

Our team work closely with the supply chain to design and construct road projects, as well as develop a pipeline of possible projects as we look to the future. ​​​​​​Our skills span many areas from customer experts, land and property advisers to project management. We understand the potential that our road schemes can bring.  

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy. 

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.