Programme Manager - Preston - LPPA Pensions

Description

Programme Manager (Hybrid or Remote with regular travel to Preston)

As we grow our Change Team, we are looking to welcome a Programme Manager to LPPA. In this exciting new role, you will be responsible for the delivery of the LPPA Service Improvement programme, managing appropriate resources to ensure timely delivery whilst maintaining a commercial mindset.

You will be responsible for planning and designing the programme, proactively monitoring its progress, resolving issues, and initiating appropriate corrective action. Reporting to our Head of Delivery, you will work closely with LPPA executives, managers, and suppliers to scope, plan, manage, and deliver all aspects of the project lifecycle for key programmes of work that are critical to LPPA achieving its strategic goals and objectives.

Salary

Salary circa £55k – 65k DOE + Annual Bonus. Shortlisting will begin in early January 2026, with interviews thereafter.

Key accountabilities include

• Develop and manage all aspects of project and programme engagement from planning, external vendor relationships, communications, resources, budgets, changes, risks, and issues
• Provide status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks, and issues, communicating across leadership
• Understand interdependencies between technology, operations, and business needs
• Deliver a service improvement programme of work aligned with the LPPA business plan to enhance operational efficiency
• Ensure clear communications across all projects for delivery, output, and benefits realisation

A bit about us

Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA) is a multi‑award‑winning organisation and one of the UK's leading pension administration companies. We strive to deliver the best experience for over 2,100 employers and more than 700,000 members of Local Government, Police, and Firefighter pension schemes, keeping them fully informed about their pensions whilst working closely with employers to continuously educate and support them.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary £55k – 65k DOE & inclusion in annual bonus scheme
• 25 days' holiday, plus bank holidays and 2 additional concessionary days and a half day for your Birthday, with the ability to buy and sell leave
• Access to an excellent pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contributions
• Access to Health or Dental Plan
• Access to our Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme for when you or your family might need some support
• Access to our bespoke Reward Discount Scheme – 'Your Perk Site'
• Opportunities to attend wellbeing webinars and social events
• Daily free fruit and snacks available to you in our office
• Free Car Parking in Preston City Centre

What you'll be doing

• Full project life cycle ownership: successful project delivery will include end‑to‑end implementation from initiation to deployment across key strategic programmes and projects, delivered on time, to budget and to quality, with appropriate governance, effective resource management, comprehensive project planning and reporting, and proactive management of key dependencies and risks
• Production of business cases and benefits realisation for projects, alongside the end‑to‑end management of the delivery of approved change and projects in line with LPPA's project management methodology
• Provide on‑site leadership for projects by building and motivating all project team members to meet project goals, adhering to their responsibilities and project milestones to ensure best in class
• Manage all aspects of multiple programmes and projects to ensure the overall programme is aligned with and directly supports the achievement of strategic objectives
• Manage programme reporting by creating a method for monitoring progress across the company's programmes, improving efficiency and updating programme sponsors and stakeholders
• Manage all projects in line with agreed budgetary requirements
• Share knowledge and best practices by coaching and mentoring the project team to be the best in class
• Manage, build, and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, identify business needs, monitor progress and results, recognise and capitalise on improvement opportunities, and adapt to competing demands, organisational changes, and new responsibilities
• Manage resources across multiple projects, ensuring each project has the necessary resources to succeed
• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure the projects stay on track and meet their objectives

What we need from you

• Proven ability to successfully deliver multiple programmes/projects in a fast‑paced environment, on time, on schedule, and within budget
• Excellent leadership skills, proven track record of managing, developing, and coaching project managers
• Works creatively and analytically in a problem‑solving environment, demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence
• Experience leading, motivating, and managing project and programme teams of varying sizes, including internal and external resources, while holding teams accountable for performance
• The ability to build and maintain relationships by engaging business leaders to establish credibility, solve problems, build consensus, and achieve objectives
• Excellent leadership, communication (written, verbal, and presentation) and interpersonal skills
• Self‑motivated, decisive, with the ability to adapt to change and competing demands
• Experience drafting and submitting budget proposals and recommending subsequent budget changes where necessary
• Strong experience presenting to executive sponsors and demonstrable communication skills, both written and oral, with technical and non‑technical staff at all levels of management
• Flexible with proven ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
• Technically competent with various project management methodologies

Nice to have

Working with and upholding our values

• Working together
• Committed to excellence
• Doing the right thing
• Forward thinking

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Management and Project Management