Location: Birmingham/Mobile/Hybrid
Business Area: Compass UK & Ireland – Strategic Transformation
Role Type: Programme / Transformation / Technology Delivery
Compass Group UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced and technically credible Programme Manager to play a key role in one of the most strategically important transformation programmes in our UK&I portfolio.
This is a high-profile, hands-on role at the centre of the Compass One Strategic Transformation Programme — a complex, cross-functional initiative spanning technology, operations, commercial, workforce and wider business functions. You will bring together multiple workstreams into a single delivery plan, ensuring dependencies are understood, risks are identified early and key programme milestones remain firmly on track.
We're looking for someone who can see the bigger picture while staying close to the detail; someone who can coordinate senior stakeholders, technical teams, suppliers and business functions with confidence, clarity and pace.
What You'll Be DoingAs the single coordinating point across the programme, you will:
- Build and own the integrated programme plan across all functions and workstreams
- Manage cross-functional dependencies and critical-path activities
- Identify risks, issues and delivery gaps before they impact key milestones
- Lead programme governance, SteerCo meetings and executive reporting
- Ensure stakeholders remain aligned on priorities, decisions and delivery commitments
- Coordinate third-party suppliers, technology partners and delivery teams
- Drive readiness activities for mobilisation and go-live events
- Provide clear visibility of programme performance, risks and dependencies
You'll be an experienced Programme Manager with a proven track record of delivering complex technology, digital or transformation programmes involving multiple stakeholders and interdependent workstreams.
You will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on programme leadership. You'll possess excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to translate complex technical and operational challenges into clear plans, actions and outcomes.
You'll be naturally organised, proactive and calm under pressure, with the ability to influence across teams and suppliers without direct authority.
What We're Looking For- Significant programme or project management experience within technology, digital or transformation environments
- Proven experience building integrated plans and managing programme dependencies
- Strong governance, RAID management and executive reporting capability
- Experience coordinating third-party suppliers and delivery partners
- Excellent stakeholder management skills across business and technical audiences
- Strong understanding of technology delivery, architecture, integrations, APIs, cloud platforms, cyber security and data solutions
- Experience managing complex programmes with fixed milestones and delivery deadlines
- Programme or project management qualification such as MSP, PRINCE2, PMP or APM (or equivalent experience)
- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance
Desirable Experience
- SAP transformation or upgrade programmes
- Retail, food service, facilities management or workforce management technology environments
- Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 accreditation programmes
- Bid, mobilisation or contract transition experience
This is a unique opportunity to help shape one of Compass UK & Ireland's most significant transformation programmes. You'll work across technology, operations and commercial functions, influencing key decisions and helping deliver meaningful change at scale.
If you thrive on complexity, enjoy bringing structure to large-scale programmes and want to make a tangible impact in a high-profile transformation environment, we'd love to hear from you.
About Compass Group UK & IrelandCompass Group UK & Ireland is the UK's leading food and support services business, delivering outstanding experiences across sectors including business and industry, healthcare, education, defence, sport and leisure. Through innovation, expertise and operational excellence, we support millions of people every day and help our clients achieve their goals.