Programme Manager - Commerce (Contract)

Who We Are WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution. Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. VML, part of WPP, supports WPP Enterprise Solutions by helping brands activate transformation through creativity and experience. Programme Manager with extensive experience including experience managing small programmes of work needed to join our team This is a London based Contract role The opportunity: You lead teams to deliver high quality, complex project(s) on budget and within a specified timeframe to achieve the potential benefits defined in the business case. You work closely with the Account Director to achieve productivity goals and contribute to the organisation’s overall success. What you’ll be doing: Accountable for all delivery across the programme Analyse, evaluate, and overcome programme risks, and produce accurate programme reports for management and stakeholders Maintain organisational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance, including the creation and implementation of ways of working at the start of a programme Create and implement effective ways of working at the start of the programme and ensure these are adhered to throughout the project lifecycle Track and manage dependencies between projects and workstreams, creating programme level plans to ensure these are addressed Ensure programme goals are reached by keeping the workstreams updated on progress and any changes that need to be made. Provide support and guidance to project managers within your account and line management for several project managers outside of your account. Maintain a resource plan showing resource commitment across the projects and keep track of potential end dates in association with functional lead personnel Track resource requests and manage fulfilment of these requests internally or externally as appropriate Develop strong relationships with WTC team members and client stakeholders at all levels Work with the client to understand their vision and plan the programme of work to successfully achieve that vision to the greatest effect Define and implement programme level governance in conjunction with the client Manage third party vendors on behalf of the client What we want from you: Experience in managing multiple teams across different workstreams. As a minimum, if in a team management role, this should be at least 20 people A good understanding of the software development lifecycle & release management Proven track record in the successful delivery of an ecommerce migration/Re-platform Strong stakeholder management skills Excellent negotiation skills & an ability to handle sensitive issues with tact & diplomacy Exposure to medium to large scale fixed price project delivery Experience in multi-vendor management Experience of managing people and financial budgets (including programme budgeting, monitoring financials etc.) ideally in an eCommerce environment Experience of overseeing 3rd parties Excellent risk management skills Minimum of three years’ experience working in an Agile environment Proven track record of working with organisations moving from Waterfall to Agile delivery approaches Working knowledge of Agile frameworks, Scrum and Kanban Effective leadership skills with experience of managing other project managers. Strong time management & organisational skills. Excellent communication and relationship managem…