Programme Director Jobs
Some companies have an ongoing policy of continuous business change and/or transformation. Others assemble teams solely to put one C&T project into action. In both cases, however, the task is better served by the installation of a director overseeing and influencing the whole programme. The programme director either assembles a team of managers or takes over an existing team, and is the eyes, ears and voice in the board on all matters related to the change and transformation taking place.
The programme director’s overarching responsibility is to ensure the C&T programme is designed, implemented, monitored and followed up carefully and methodically, with as little as possible left to chance, to maintain the support of the board and the shareholders. Whereas business change generally faces little opposition from within, transformation can seem to represent a higher risk, even when the sums all add up. The programme director may in some cases therefore be required to inform and reassure such parties of the benefits of the new direction.
The skills required
Rock solid board-level experience seeing a business change or transformation programme from idea to final report is an absolute must for the majority of companies looking for a programme director. Some, however, will consider managing a complex, high value programme under the direction of a board as enough of a qualification to make the step up. It all depends on the size of the business and the nature of the programme being dealt with.
Because of the unknown factors in any change and transformation programme, it is important that research is fully carried out ahead of the programme starting and that the information gained is understood and communicated well. Having a board and the shareholders on your side makes business change and transformation all the smoother, so you need to recognize great communication, whether you are personally delivering it or whether you hire an internal communications manager.
Programme Director Jobs in Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Programme Director jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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Find Programme Director Jobs with Cast UK
Cast UK is focused on several areas of business, including change and transformation, for managers and directors only. The advantage of this specialist approach over general recruitment agencies is clear to see, and is why companies and top candidates come to Cast UK first when they seeking to fill these roles.
Although we’re headquartered in Manchester with offices in London and Birmingham, we recruit for companies all over the UK. Our recruitment consultants are fully trained and often come from the line of work in which they are recruiting, so we know the needs and desires of candidates and employers alike. Call Cast UK today on 0333 121 3345 so you can become our latest success story.
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