Programme Manager

Programme Manager – Acquisition & Platform Integration

Contract | Outside IR35 – £750 per day | Yorkshire – Hybrid 1 Day per Week

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead the delivery of complex, high‑impact acquisition and platform integration programmes within a regulated financial services environment. The role will focus on the integration of legacy and target platforms, live data migration, and third‑party delivery, ensuring business continuity, regulatory compliance and successful adoption.

This is a hands‑on delivery role for a Programme Manager who thrives in technically complex change, can confidently operate in live environments and maintains a strong focus on business outcomes rather than activity.

Lead the definition, planning and delivery of large‑scale acquisition and integration programmes from initiation through to business adoption. Own programme plans, milestones, dependencies, critical paths, budgets and resource models. Ensure delivery to agreed time, cost, quality and outcome objectives. Proactively manage risks, issues and interdependencies, ensuring early resolution of integration and sequencing risks.

Lead delivery across the full software development lifecycle, coordinating delivery across internal teams and third‑party partners. Oversee the integration of legacy and target platforms, including the movement of live data between systems. Identify and manage cross‑system and cross‑team dependencies, resolving technical and delivery constraints early. Provide informed challenge on solution design, integration approach, migration strategy and cutover planning. Ensure solutions are robust, secure and fit for purpose within a regulated environment.

Lead engagement with senior stakeholders and executive sponsors across the full change lifecycle. Establish and run effective governance forums, ensuring decisions are timely, evidence‑based and aligned to business priorities. Build, manage and hold third‑party suppliers and delivery partners to account against contractual, commercial and delivery commitments. Actively challenge stakeholders to maintain focus on delivery outcomes and value realisation.

Define and actively manage programme scope, setting clear boundaries and controlling change. Anticipate delivery, commercial, third‑party and transition risks, taking early action to mitigate impact. Plan and execute pragmatic transition, migration and cutover activities to protect customers and business operations. Ensure appropriate controls, contingency and assurance activities are in place throughout delivery.

Build, lead and coach high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary delivery teams. Set clear expectations, foster accountability and promote a culture of ownership, transparency and continuous improvement. Create alignment across internal teams and external partners to enable predictable, value‑driven delivery.

• Proven experience delivering large‑scale acquisition, integration or platform transformation programmes within financial services or other regulated environments.
• Strong technical delivery background, with experience across application delivery, system integration and live data migration.
• Demonstrable experience leading delivery across the full SDLC, working closely with engineering, testing and architecture teams.
• Deep practical experience of Agile delivery, including delivery at scale, with a focus on value, flow and predictable outcomes.
• Strong governance, risk management and delivery assurance capability.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience engaging senior and executive‑level stakeholders.
• Proven experience managing and delivering through third‑party suppliers and partners.

• Experience integrating bespoke or legacy platforms into modern target architectures.
• Familiarity with integration patterns, APIs, data migration approaches and platform decommissioning.
• Experience delivering change involving live customers, live data and high operational risk.

Professional programme or project management qualification (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, PMP, Agile certification) or equivalent experience.

Strong delivery leadership in complex, fast‑paced environments. Confident decision‑making and ability to challenge constructively. Outcome‑focused, pragmatic and resilient. High attention to detail with the ability to operate sted leader with gravitas and credibility across business and technology teams.

Director