Chieka Okadigbo

I’m a Senior Project Manager with a proven track record delivering complex, high-value programmes across energy and transformation sectors. My expertise spans governance, compliance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, combined with strong commercial awareness and contract negotiation skills.

Over the past four years, I’ve led multi-million-pound projects, including the successful delivery of £139m retrofit schemes and achieving £3m in departmental savings through strategic risk and financial management. I thrive in fast-paced environments, driving operational excellence and aligning projects with organisational priorities.

Certified PRINCE2 Practitioner and APM PMQ, I bring a structured approach to project delivery while fostering collaboration and high-performing teams. Passionate about creating value and delivering measurable outcomes, I’m now seeking opportunities in the private sector where I can leverage my leadership and strategic expertise to deliver impactful results.

Professional Experience

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero | April 2021 – Present

Senior Project Manager 

• Led the Low-Income Verification Approach project, managing multi-disciplinary teams and contracts with major partners (ICS, DWP, HMRC) in a highly regulated environment.
• Oversaw project planning, risk management, and financial controls for a multi-million-pound programme, achieving £3m departmental savings through strategic risk management and contract optimisation.
• Prepared and reviewed key legal and governance documents (DSAs, MoUs, DPIAs, business cases), ensuring compliance and successful assurance approvals.
• Drove stakeholder engagement across internal and external partners, resolving escalations and aligning project objectives with departmental priorities.
• Managed procurement, onboarding of new schemes, and digital governance processes, supporting the transition from Alpha to Beta.
• Line managed project managers and policy advisors, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Project Manager – Senior Executive Officer

• Led the Local Authority Retrofit Scheme, managing cross-functional teams to ensure project success and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
• Developed comprehensive project plans, managed resources efficiently, and delivered presentations to senior management, clearly communicating project status and risks.
• Directed the Delivery Model Assessment for future Delivery Partner selection, streamlining data reporting and enhancing project performance.
• Acted as a liaison between project teams and executive leadership, providing strategic insights and negotiating requirements and costs with external lawyers.
• Drafted and reviewed MoUs for high-value projects, ensuring legal compliance and effective stakeholder management.

Earlier Roles (Summarised)

• Managed £139m retrofit schemes, ensuring contractual compliance and governance.
• Established account management processes for Local Authorities, embedding legal and regulatory standards.
• ScreenSkills Ltd – Accreditation & Standards Coordinator (2019–2021): Administered quality assurance processes and compliance frameworks for industry accreditation.
• British Psychotherapy Foundation – Training Coordinator (2017–2019): Oversaw governance and compliance for training programmes and events.

Education

MSc in International Relations, Surrey University

BA in International Relations with Criminology, Keele University