CSM - Programme Delivery Managers

Job summary

Are you ready to lead one of the most ambitious transformation programmes in Defence? The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking an experienced Programme Delivery Manager to deliver the Corporate Services Modernisation (CSM) Programme, a top strategic priority for MOD.

Corporate Services underpin the daily operations of 250,000 people across Defence. From payroll to procurement, these services are critical to mission success. MOD is modernising HR, Finance, and Commercial services through policy, process, organisational, data, and systems transformation, aligned with the Government Shared Services Strategy. More information on the Shared Services agenda can be found through this link: A Shared Services Strategy for Government - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Our ambition is to:

• Enhance user experience through simplified processes, intuitive systems, and responsive support.
• Enable data-driven decision-making using Oracle ERP, HCM, and EPM technologies, integrated analytics, and AI.
• Improve productivity and efficiency by automating transactions, optimising shared service centres, and reducing costs for reinvestment into frontline Defence.

Role summary:

These roles will play a central part in strengthening delivery grip across the Corporate Services Modernisation Programme. Working across central programme teams, project delivery teams, functional workstreams and delivery partners, the postholders will help maintain a coherent view of progress, risk, dependencies and delivery confidence across a complex, high-profile transformation environment.

The two roles will have similar skill requirements but different areas of focus. One role will focus on maintaining the strategic programme schedule and integrated delivery picture, while the other will work more closely with selected projects to oversee, track and support delivery. Both roles will use tools such as Jira and Microsoft Project to support planning, RAID management, reporting and senior decision-making.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Due to the nature of the role, job share arrangements may be considered, subject to the requirement that full-time hours are fully covered

Job description

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the development and maintenance of integrated programme plans, schedules and delivery milestones, ensuring alignment with CSM objectives, MOD priorities and the Government Shared Services Strategy.
• Maintain a clear and accurate view of programme progress, risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies, using tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira and programme reporting dashboards.
• Work with project teams, delivery managers, planning leads and RAID managers to strengthen delivery grip, improve schedule quality and ensure risks and dependencies are actively managed.
• Support the operation of an integrated PMO model across central programme teams, embedded project teams, transformation delivery partners and system integration partners.
• Produce high-quality programme reporting, analysis and briefing products for senior governance forums, including Programme Boards, Sponsor Groups and external assurance or audit activity.
• Support the management of exit criteria, key deliverables and assurance evidence across allocated work areas, ensuring delivery products are complete, coherent and decision ready.
• Build effective relationships across a complex stakeholder environment, bringing together inputs from HR, Finance, Commercial, Digital, Change, Governance and partner teams.
• Identify delivery challenges early, escalate issues appropriately and recommend practical actions to improve delivery confidence.
• Support continuous improvement of programme controls, planning, RAID, assurance and governance processes.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and delivery-focused culture across the CSM Programme.

Person specification

Person specification

1. Strong experience of programme or project delivery within a complex transformation, portfolio or major change environment.
2. Experience of managing programme plans, schedules, risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
3. Ability to work across multiple teams and disciplines, building productive relationships and delivering through others.
4. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret delivery information, identify trends and present clear recommendations.
5. Excellent written, verbal and presentational communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for senior, technical and delivery audiences.
6. Confidence in using programme delivery tools and management information to support delivery oversight and decision-making.
7. A proactive, resilient and flexible approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and provide structure in uncertain or ambiguous situations.
8. Sound judgement, with the ability to challenge constructively, identify delivery risks and support practical resolution.
9. A collaborative leadership style, helping teams work together around a shared delivery plan and common understanding of priorities.

Essential:

• Practitioner of either MSP, MOP, MOR or any other APM equivalent.
• Experience of managing delivery within a complex programme, project, portfolio or transformation environment.
• Strong understanding of programme controls, including planning, scheduling, risk, issue, dependency and milestone management.
• Experience of producing high-quality reporting, briefing or governance products for senior stakeholders.
• Ability to build effective relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and influence delivery through others.
• Strong organisational, analytical and communication skills.
• Experience using programme delivery tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Power BI or equivalent reporting and planning tools.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of shared services, corporate services, HR, Finance or Commercial transformation.
• Experience of ERP, EPM, HCM or other enterprise technology-enabled transformation.
• Experience working with delivery partners, system integrators or multi-supplier environments.
• Experience supporting external assurance, audit, Cabinet Office, IPA, NAO or equivalent review activity.
• A recognised project delivery qualification such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner, MSP Practitioner, ChPP or equivalent.

Qualifications

Practitioner of either MSP, MOP, MOR or any other APM equivalent.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Project Delivery Capability Framework - Risk and Issue Management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find ou