Programme Manager

Location: Norwich, NR1 3NS

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Contract Duration: 6 months

We're looking for an experienced Strategic Virtual Assistant (VA) Programme Manager to lead Aviva’s end-to-end Virtual Assistant transformation programme, overseeing strategy, design, delivery and governance.

Working across business, digital, data, technology and operational teams, you'll be responsible for bringing together multiple work streams to deliver a coordinated and successful programme. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across Aviva, BCG, Group CIO teams and specialist functions, including Risk, Compliance, Legal and Architecture, ensuring alignment on priorities, delivery milestones and strategic outcomes.

This is a key leadership role requiring strong programme management, structured planning and stakeholder engagement skills, alongside a good understanding of Aviva's Change Delivery Framework. You'll drive programme governance, manage risks and dependencies, oversee financial performance and ensure the programme remains on track to deliver its objectives.

• Proven experience leading complex digital, AI or technology transformation programmes within large organisations.

• Strong knowledge of Aviva's Change Delivery Framework, programme governance, quality gates and change delivery processes.

• A good understanding of technology domains, including architecture, applications, infrastructure, security and data integration.

• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with a track record of developing robust programme plans, managing milestones and coordinating interdependent work streams.

• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control and benefits tracking.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and communicate complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience managing risks, issues, dependencies and delivery challenges, with the confidence to
  ** escalate concerns
  ** and drive timely decisions.

• Experience working with third-party suppliers and managing delivery across multiple organisations and partners.

• Experience with Agile delivery approaches, including supporting teams to work effectively and iteratively.

• A collaborative, outcome-focused mindset, with the ability to remain adaptable and calm under pressure while managing ambiguity.

• Lead the Virtual Assistant programme across all work streams, including Orchestration, Build & Launch, and Technology & Data Foundations.

• Drive programme governance and reporting, preparing and leading steering committees and governance forums, tracking decisions, actions, risks and accountabilities.

• Work closely with executive sponsors, Aviva and BCG programme leadership, and senior stakeholders to maintain strategic alignment and delivery momentum.

• Develop and maintain the programme roadmap, scope, design principles, business case and value framework.

• Coordinate delivery across business, digital, technology, data and operations teams, ensuring effective management of milestones, dependencies and critical paths.

• Oversee build, testing and launch readiness, coordinating activities towards key programme milestones.

• Manage programme financials, including budgets, forecasts, expenditure, variances and benefits tracking.

• Identify, assess and mitigate programme risks and issues, ensuring alignment with Aviva’s risk, control and governance requirements.

• Support the integration of Risk, Compliance and Data Governance requirements to enable the safe delivery of Generative AI and Virtual Assistant capabilities.

• Lead stakeholder communications,…