Programme Manager

FreeAgent 🚀
FreeAgent is:

one of the UK’s most popular small business finance apps with over 100,000 customers. We help small businesses sort out the mess and the stress of managing their business finances
loved and adored by customers. We have an NPS of 70 (which is considered “exceptional”)
rated 4.7 ⭐ on Trustpilot. This is your chance to come and shape the future of small business banking and accounting!

Make a difference 💫

It’s an exciting time in the accounting and banking space. We’re seeing a revolution in the FinTech industry, and new government initiatives such as Making Tax Digital and Open Banking are opening up new features and products for customers.

The technology in this space is changing rapidly and at FreeAgent we’re working on the cutting edge. We’re focused on providing the best possible user experience for our growing customer base.

The Role 👷

As Programme Manager you’ll be responsible for driving a high-impact programme of work to deliver our strategic initiatives. The role is not about designing the actual final solutions or features, but rather ensuring the programme progresses and evolves continuously and delivers against agreed project outcomes and milestones.

You’ll spearhead the delivery of key strategic programmes and report directly to our Head of Product, so you’ll be used to accepting accountability and reporting progress. You’ll be comfortable in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, working with internal colleagues across Sales, Commercial Operations, Product, Design, Communications, Engineering, Support and Analytics. You will also work closely with counterparts within the wider NatWest Group of which we are an operationally independent part.

An expert collaborator, you will be comfortable negotiating with all of these key stakeholders and teams across multiple functions to gain alignment on the programme vision and key deliverables. You will have ultimate responsibility for all aspects of each project’s execution and business partner relationships, adopting a supportive, independent & rigorous approach.

Key areas of responsibility include:

Planning & Ownership

Within the remit of the programme, this role will be responsible for governance, leadership, benefits tracking, cost management, delivery planning, control risk/issue and dependency management, and quality assurance.
Working closely with senior stakeholders on planning, design and estimating, bringing together delivery and business partner teams; actively managing dependencies between these teams and other projects.
Scheduling, consulting and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver to these projects within the wider programme.
Monitoring the programme’s overall progress; anticipating and identifying existing or emerging risks/issues, resolving issues and escalating / initiating corrective action as appropriate.
Providing overall stakeholder management and programme progress reporting on a regular basis
Analysing programme risks – producing accurate and timely reporting of programme status throughout its life cycle including risk management.
Delivery

Actively managing and co-ordinating the programme plan/roadmap, handling changes as they arise and keeping stakeholders focused on the agreed change outcomes and benefits
Comfortable translating updates to our strategic plans into the programme and ensuring that each are focused on the right priorities
Challenging and intervening where there is scope creep, budget overrun or plan slippage
Managing the dependencies and the interfaces between projects and negotiating the trade-offs needed within the programme
Proactively identifying and removing barriers to programme success, driving timely but informed decision-making from the CPO and Exec team where necessary.
Team Work

Acting as a change agent internally and is a visible and clear leader for the programme and the delivery of its outcomes and benefits
Promoting pace and energy within the team and lead by example
Acting as a role model, encourage collaboration, brainstorming and team work within the programme and with other teams
Providing regular constructive feedback and coaching to individuals to support their development within the programmes sphere of influence
Adapting communication style and work approach to manage stakeholders

You 🙌

You must be an experienced Programme Manager who has owned and delivered complex change management and expansion initiatives preferably within the financial or professional services / SaaS sector. You’ll be a natural self-starter, able to manage competing priorities, deadlines and workloads. Exceptional communication and presentation skills are essential as you’ll be a key liaison with senior management, colleagues, partners and customers.

Ideally you’ll have:

Leadership and capability development of a multi-disciplinary team working across the wider programme.
An enthusiasm for operating in an Agile environment with an ability to think creatively to generate innovative and different approaches to delivery.
Experience in programme and project management processes and techniques. Skilled in at least one project/programme management method but not wedded to one approach ( PMI, PRINCE, MSP),
Experience in the delivery of software or SaaS projects would be a strong advantage.
Effective and prompt relationship building across functions within FreeAgent and across the wider NatWest Group

Benefits 🎁

Annual salary £49,000 – £64,500 per annum, depending on experience, plus we provide a comprehensive package of employee benefits which have been carefully selected to protect you, to promote healthy lifestyles, and to give you peace of mind. You can read more about these on our website.

Creating the best place to work 👩🏽‍💻

We want people to be productive, focused on meaningful work and to have an excellent work/life balance. We value a diverse team, and we believe the variety of experiences and backgrounds in our team make us stronger. We believe in a learning culture and encourage self-development. We like to think we work smarter, not harder.

Normally, we’re based in our amazing office in central Edinburgh and our work environment is light and bright, with inspiring spaces and quiet places. This role will be based in the office most of the week, once we’re able to return. Find out more about life at HQ here!

Currently the whole team is working remotely. We’re well equipped to support this, as 20% of the team normally works from home on a permanent basis. We’re continuing our hiring and onboarding activity during this time and we’re finding alternative ways to stay connected and enjoy activities together, from our virtual art club to exercise challenges and cake decorating competitions. See how we’ve been getting on!

Applying for the role ✍

Closing date 5pm Friday 21st May 2021
Our application process is simple; just upload your CV and answer a few questions about why you are interested in this opportunity. Our selection process includes a phone call with a member of our Talent Team, followed by two interviews and a presentation. We work hard to make the process as straightforward, transparent and enjoyable as possible.

We really care about building an inclusive and diverse team, and we welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds and perspectives. We want to make sure that the people who build FreeAgent are reflecting our diverse customer base and bringing with them a range of ideas and experiences. What unites us is an openness to suggestions, and a drive to solve problems in the best way possible.

Don’t forget to tell us about why you think FreeAgent is the right place for you to make a difference!