Strategic Programme Manager

Description:

The Strategic Programme Manager will lead the execution of business-critical programmes aligned to the Commercial Client Group’s strategy. While the Head of Strategy is responsible for defining strategic direction, the Strategic Programme Manager ensures that programmes are properly scoped, resourced, sequenced and delivered. The role focuses on programmes delivered within the division’s lines of business, working closely with senior stakeholders across each business to ensure momentum, alignment, and measurable impact.

This role is both analytical and operational. It requires structured problem-solving, strong programme subject area, and excellent communication. It is well suited to someone with consulting, programme management, or strategy delivery experience who is motivated by turning strategic intent into results.

The role works alongside the Head of Strategy, who leads cross-divisional strategy and long-range planning, while the Strategic Programme Manager focuses on delivering programmes within the business lines.

Key Responsibilities

 Programme Leadership and Delivery
Lead the planning, structuring, and execution of strategic programmes across FT Live, Longitude, advertising, education, and print ensuring alignment with CCG priorities and strategic direction set by the CCO, Head of Strategy and SLT. 
Work with leaders to ensure programmes have appropriate resourcing, sequencing and support across teams. 
Maintain full oversight of programme outcomes, timelines, scope and risks, ensuring high-quality delivery and clear accountability. 
Translate strategic objectives into operational plans, delivery achievements, and measurable success criteria. 
Monitor and evaluate programme impact, ensuring benefits are tracked and realised. 
 Cross-Functional Coordination and Stakeholder Management
Build strong working relationships with divisional leaders and cross-functional teams including Product & Technology, Editorial, Marketing, Commercial Operations and Finance. 
Act as a central coordination point for updates and programme governance, ensuring collaborators have clear visibility of progress, blockers and resource needs. 
Support cross-departmental engagement by gathering business requirements and ensuring programme needs are represented in division-level planning cycles. 
Manage relationships with third-party suppliers and technology partners where relevant. 
 Analytical Problem-Solving and Business Insight
Apply organized, analytical thinking to clarify problems, refine programme scopes, identify decision points and inform prioritisation. 
Lead analytical workstreams to support programme decisions, including market analysis, financial modelling, case development and performance reviews. 
Support the Head of Strategy in bringing together insights from different business lines to guide divisional long-term planning. 
 Programme Governance and Operational Effectiveness
Establish and run programme governance cycles, including steering groups, working groups and reporting cadences. 
Ensure governance processes drive timely decisions, resolve blockers, and maintain clear ownership across workstreams. 
Identify risks and issues early, propose solutions, and advance appropriately with clear options and implications. 
Promote standard process in programme management, championing operational excellence, repeatable processes, and continuous improvement. 
 Driving Alignment and Change Across Business Lines
Ensure each business unit’s delivery plans are consistent with divisional priorities and contribute to reducing duplication and increasing clarity of focus. 
Support the adoption of new processes, systems and ways of working to ensure programmes embed effectively within each business line. 
Foster collaboration, clarity and accountability across programme teams. 

Essential

Skills and Experience Required

Experience in programme or project management, transformation delivery, internal consulting, or strategy execution in a complex, matrixed organisation. 
Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to structure ambiguous challenges, integrate analysis into decisions, and drive insight-led recommendations. 
Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and maintain momentum across multiple teams. 
Robust communication and storytelling capabilities, able to craft clear narratives and briefing materials for senior audiences. 
Demonstrable experience managing cross-functional workstreams to successful delivery, ideally including technology-enabled programmes and process change initiatives. 
Strong planning and organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. 
Familiarity with case development, commercial analysis or P&L understanding. 
Comfort operating with a high degree of autonomy and taking ownership for outcomes. 

Desirable

Experience in media, information, events or professional services. 
Experience working closely with Product & Technology teams or managing technology-driven programmes. 
Management consulting experience or internal strategy experience.