Head of Programmes Jobs
When a company is embarking on a major business change or transformation programme, the most important thing is to make sure the right team is in place to ensure everything is planned and managed properly. The head of programmes may lead a small team, an entire business or something in between, depending on the size and structure of the company and the programmes being implemented.
The head of programmes are usually quite specialized, dealing with an area with which they have wide experience and expertise, although in novel industries where such specialized talent is thin on the ground, heads of programmes are often sourced by their understanding of change and transformation and what the best means are of delivering them. The head of programmes is sometimes an executive level role with a seat on the board, but it can also be a senior management role without directorial powers and responsibilities.
The skills required
By their very nature, change and transformation professionals are often at the cutting edge of the technological and methodological advances in their fields, so companies can find it difficult to find heads of programmes who are experienced in exactly their field. This provides great opportunities for candidates who have a proven record of leading successful programmes in similar circumstances to show companies what they are capable of.
It is worth noting that some companies require specific qualifications in their heads of programmes that are dependent upon the sector in which they operate. However, there’s no standard skill set for this role – it’s usually a case of being fully briefed by the company and then analyzing the company in minute detail to find out how the proposed change or transformation programme can be implemented. This is a role that is won at the interview stage as you convince the company that you have the talent and drive to see their project through.
Head of Programmes Jobs in Oxford
The county town of Oxford and famous throughout the world for its university, Oxford is actually a thriving, self-contained city with a diversity of industries not directly related to its county status or education sector. It has been a successful city for so long that its architecture spans the millennia, and since much of the most important buildings were churches, it got the name “city of dreaming spires”.
Without doubt the university and its related activities (bars, cafes, hotels, shops, theatres etc.) is the key single employer of the city, and the university heritage also plays into its thriving tourism industry. All this contributes to the thriving nature of the city, which is busy all the year round.
But a major industry just to the south east of the city centre is car manufacturing, at the Cowley BMW plant, home of the new Mini. The plant used to be the Morris Motors plant during the First World War, and this attracted a railway and other communications to serve it. During World War Two the plant made training planes for the RAF. After the war mergers and acquisitions changed the company to BMC, then British Leyland, Austin Rover, the Rover Group and finally BMW (but locals still call the factory Morris’s).
With a thriving, ever changing population and various high-tech and heavy industries, Oxford often throws up Head of Programmes positions to help oil the wheels of commerce. It’s certainly an exciting place to live and work.
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Find Head of Programmes Jobs with Cast UK
For managerial and director-level jobs in change and transformation programmes, look no further than Cast UK. We have offices in the UK’s three main business hubs – London, Manchester and Birmingham – and a list of clients from John o'Groats to Land’s End, looking for expertise in their programmes.
If you have the experience and a thirst to tackle a brand new challenge delivering programmes to completion in a job where your skills are truly valued, call Cast UK today on 0333 121 3345 so we can put you in touch with some of the best in the business.
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