Senior Responsible Owner for Director of Programmes 
Ministry of Defence
£85,000
Andover

As Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), provide strategic leadership and take ultimate authority and personal accountability for the delivery of a number of the Army’s most critical modernisation programmes and projects, this post is responsible for leading a group of programmes and the associated business change activities. This includes business case and requirements development, the establishment of appropriate governance and assurance, stakeholder management, monitoring progress, managing risks and issues, ensuring the business readiness for change and realisation of benefits.

Objectives:

Accountable for delivery of the programmes and the associated benefits and capabilities.
Responsible for briefing the Sponsor Group and for ensuring that programme outcomes remain aligned to the Department strategic direction and key business drivers. This role is required to show visible leadership at key communications events and ensure the visible and demonstrable commitment of the sponsoring group.
Influence and manage the operating environment into which the programme outcomes will be delivered, including relationships with key stakeholders, business owners and other project sponsors. Is responsible for engaging impactful stakeholders and for ensuring that emerging issues are identified and managed appropriately. Builds effective relationships with key strategic stakeholders obtaining their commitment to the project objectives and benefits. Effective management of all interdependencies.
Establish appropriate, robust and efficient governance to ensure the programme is governed responsibly. Delegate responsibilities and agrees clear limits and performance criteria with the Programme Director(s).
Is a visible, engaged, active leader who creates an open and honest culture.
Accountable for the management of strategic risks and issues in the operating environment and is aware of all high-level risks and issues affecting successful delivery of the programme. Ensures appropriate mitigation plans are developed and followed through.
Provide senior-level expertise and capacity to the Army’s wider PD function, mentoring and developing other leaders and providing hands-on support as required; champion project delivery within the Army and beyond; support the strategic development of the project delivery profession and building project delivery capability; influence decision making to ensure that projects are properly resourced and successfully delivered.

Responsibilities:

This is a demanding and high-profile role operating in a complex and cutting-edge organisation. The post holder will be expected to have experience of managing complex projects and programmes and of using portfolio management as a tool for leading organisational change.

The post holder will require a significant level of confidence and credibility in order to persuade senior Army personnel of courses of action and support Board-level investment decisions. This includes providing challenge where appropriate.

Given the small number of SCS in the Army TLB, the post holder will need to demonstrate an ability to lead and energise outside of their immediate line management responsibilities. Fundamentally the post holder must be able to hold his or her own and be heard when they are often the single civilian voice in a military environment where seniority does (occasionally) matter, in addition to formal authority.

At the sift stage, please demonstrate clear evidence and achievements against the following criteria:

Essential criteria:

Business change and implementation - An exceptional project delivery professional with a proven track record in delivering, high profile projects and programmes in an agile environment and managing large capital budgets
Influencing - Proven experience of senior stakeholder management in a political, pressured environment and evidence the building of credible and respected relationships at board level, including excellent influencing skills with the credibility to command the trust and confidence of ministers and senior officials.
Leadership - An ability to create and present a compelling vision and set clear direction, that motivates others to work towards a common goal with ability to manage people through change and to build and lead diverse teams in a matrixed environment.
Working with ambiguity/Resilience - The ability to deliver at pace against a backdrop of uncertainty and continual change. Comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture; applying knowledge and experience to reduce ambiguity.

Qualifications:

Association of Project Management (APM) Registered Project Professional
Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Practitioner.

Successful candidates will be expected to attend the Project Leadership Programme and Major Projects Leadership Programme if not already an alumni member.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 28th December 2021.