Job Description

Job title: Senior Programme Manager

Location: Liverpool & London/travelling to other sites across the UK

Salary: up to £85,000

Vargo is looking for an experienced Senior Programme Manager to lead complex, multi-million-pound service transformation programmes within the UK public sector.

You will provide end-to-end programme leadership,  from mobilisation and governance design through to delivery oversight and benefits realisation, ensuring alignment with GDS standards and best practice digital delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead large, multi-million-pound digital and service transformation programmes.
• Establish effective programme governance aligned to public sector best practice.
• Oversee delivery across Discovery, Alpha, Beta and Live in line with GDS standards.
• Define scope, outcomes, milestones, dependencies and benefits realisation.
• Drive performance and accountability across multiple workstreams.

• Implement proportionate governance, risk and reporting frameworks.
• Provide clear reporting to SROs, Boards and governance forums.
• Manage programme risks, interdependencies and critical path activities.
• Prepare teams for GDS service assessments and assurance gateways.

• Build strong relationships with SROs, Executive Directors and policy leads.
• Provide strategic advice and senior-level challenge.
• Align digital delivery with organisational strategy and operational readiness.
• Operate effectively within complex political environments.

• Manage budgets, forecasts and financial controls.
• Oversee commercial arrangements and supplier performance.
• Ensure value for money across the programme lifecycle.

• Lead and mentor delivery managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Promote collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Support clients in developing sustainable internal programme capability.

Essential Experience

• Experience delivering complex, multi-million-pound public sector transformation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of GDS Service Standard and the digital lifecycle (Discovery, Alpha, Beta, Live).
• Experience establishing governance and delivery frameworks.
• Experience leading programmes through GDS service assessments.
• Consultancy or client-side advisory background.
• Experience in local or central government transformation.
• Proven ability to manage Board- and Executive-level stakeholders.

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