(75B) Head of IT Programmes

People at Pret work hard, have fun, learn a lot and really grow. Right now, we’re looking for a passionate Head of IT Programmes to join us.

The Role

The Head of IT Programmes reports to the Transformation & Strategy Director and will join the Transformation team working alongside subject matter experts, business sponsors, business analysts, transformation teams, project delivery leads and engineers. You will be part of an exciting and growing global area within Pret with huge ambition, bringing together multi-disciplined small teams to deliver market-leading customer experiences. You will enjoy frequent communication with project stakeholders and be an active player in a flourishing technology community.

You will take overall responsibility for a portfolio of projects at Pret, working very closely with IT, Finance, Operations and other teams to ensure a quality end-to-end delivery.

The role will work alongside the technology and business teams supporting and ensuring the effective governance of the portfolio through quarterly planning and the vital monitoring of team OKRs and milestones against their strategic business goals. You will create greater transparency across the organisation of the transformation portfolio and support cross-functional working, improving decision-making to enable faster delivery.

You will track and ensure the appropriate escalation of constraints and blockers, constantly improving the flow of work to the team to optimise continuous delivery and pace of customer value to the market.

What will I be doing?

• Lead a team of project managers to effectively budget, track, authorise and monitor spend and where appropriate perform the budget holder duties.
• Support the business planning and execution through the delivery of projects and programmes with full accountability for the portfolio.
• Establish, drive and maintain the portfolio either directly or through the leadership of project managers/delivery leads.
• Work within a defined framework for project methodologies for traditional waterfall, agile and hybrid projects.
• Standardise the appropriate governance models, controls and reporting frameworks and embed into refined/new business processes.
• Standardise project and programme metrics and KPIs and demonstrate continuous improvement to support on-time delivery.
• Establish and maintain effective programme level reporting and stakeholder management of key milestones, customer releases & key operational/programme/project risks/opportunities.
• Lead the continuous review of technology projects, validate compliance, and apply best practice principles within the wider technology team.
• Identify and evaluate risks associated with the programme and projects, agreeing tolerance levels and appropriate action to control the risks.
• Contribute to standardising estimating techniques, embedding into teams and day-to-day planning activities across the portfolio.
• Devise, agree and implement process improvement initiatives and coach people through business changes.
• Build, lead and manage cross-functional teams across multiple locations.

What are we looking for?

You will be committed to making your customers, stakeholders and colleagues successful. You’re an excellent communicator, listener and collaborator who builds trusted partnerships by delivering what you say, when you say. You’re curious, solutions-oriented and a world-class problem solver who constantly seeks opportunities to innovate and achieve the best possible outcome to the highest imaginable standard.

You will be someone who wants to influence your own development and invest time in the technology team and the Pret company. You will be experienced in leading teams to build new business solutions and under no illusions about the challenge and complexity of delivery within a global organisation, but resolute in embodying the change you want to see as part of a team that supports one another.

Skills and experience

• Extensive experience of managing large, multi-disciplined global delivery project teams.
• Extensive experience of successfully managing complex projects, including managing multiple projects in parallel, working across geographies and time zones and working with third parties/external resource companies.
• Extensive experience of customer engagement, including customer status reporting and issue resolution to the benefit of the business.
• Knowledge and experience of Project Management Methodologies, with working knowledge of frameworks such as Managing Successful Programmes, DSDM, SAFe & PRINCE2 or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of MS Project and Waterfall, Agile and Hybrid project management tools & techniques.
• Commercial awareness, with experience of managing projects with an investment of £5m+, along with cost tracking experience and the ability to demonstrate awareness of ROI.

Pret offers:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus.
• 33 days holiday a year including Bank Holidays.
• Private healthcare.
• Life assurance.
• Pret pension scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Free lunch and drinks.
• 50% discount in Pret shops worldwide.
• Great reward and recognition events.
• Legendary parties.

The deadline for applications for this role is Thursday 23rd January 2025.