Programme Director
About UpSkill Universe
UpSkill Universe is a leading organisation in the world of Skills and Inclusion. Since 2015 we’ve built some of the world's largest award-winning digital skills, talent and inclusion programmes empowering over 650,000 people globally partnering with the likes of Google, Walmart, HSBC, and TikTok.
We are passionate about tackling the skills and representation in business, supporting companies to create equitable career pathways to boost progression and develop relevant skills for the future workplace.
As a company, we have big plans, to continue our expansion and growth in the UK, and continue to roll out our programs targeting the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa markets. We are continuing to grow and want to build an iconic company recognised for its innovative approach to delivering scalable learning.
About the challenge
The purpose of this role is to create and deliver a portfolio of exceptional programmes for our clients, building long lasting and trusted partnerships, generating value for both Upskill and our clients, as well as social impact in communities and economies across the world.
Responsibilities include overseeing the successful implementation of programmes, owning the end-to-end delivery lifecycle, which encompasses planning, stakeholder management, resourcing, budgeting, risk management, delivery and invoicing. You will serve as the main point of contact for our clients, ensuring our programmes deliver value and meet the expectations of our clients, our end users and UpSkill Universe. You'll identify risks and come up with successful mitigation strategies as well as swiftly address delivery issues with high quality solutions, successfully communicating with all internal and external stakeholders along the way.
You will act as the key interface between our internal teams and our clients’ teams, putting in place robust, efficient and effective processes to achieve outstanding results and a first class client experience.
What are some of the things I will be doing?
- Lead a portfolio of programmes and projects to ensure they are delivered successfully, on time, within budget, to the highest quality and achieving their intended outcomes
- Ensure programmes and projects are delivered via the UpSkill Delivery Methodology
- Robust management and control of project and programme scope, successfully negotiating change requests with your clients when necessary
- Ensure an exceptional customer service is delivered to create long lasting strong client relationships and support account growth.
- Assist and develop business development opportunities with existing and new clients in line with the business strategy
- Ensure projects deliver their intended outcomes and meet the clients’ and our own quality expectations
- Create, manage and deliver project budgets in line with KPIs
- Outstanding status reporting and communication with clients and internal stakeholders to update on project performance and manage risk
- Look for ways to ensure predictable revenue and optimise cashflow from your projects and programme
- Demonstrate the ability to make independent and agile decisions at critical junctures in delivery.
- Draw upon the relevant stakeholders internally and externally to gather the insights or data to support effective decision making.
- Being the main decision maker, use your experience and expertise to guide programmes forward that are in the best interest of the programme and UpSkill
- Develop recommendations and identity initiatives for continuous improvement in your programme delivery, to the benefit of clients and UpSkill.
Essential skills
- 8 years experience in delivering and managing a portfolio of large scale projects and programmes with global corporate clients
- Significant experience in designing and managing programmes from concept through to completion.
- A proven track record of delivery of programmes, on time and within budget, achieving programme targets and outcomes to large global brands
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills resulting in long term trusted relationships with everyone you work with, both internally and externally
- First class negotiation skills, achieving win-win outcomes, when resolving conflict or mismatched expectations with your peers, colleagues and clients
- Experience of managing commercial relationships with clients during delivery, including successfully managing scope and change requests, while ensuring compliance with contractual terms and conditions
- Experience of working with clients and colleagues in USA, Sub Saharan Africa, and South Africa
- Significant experience of project management tools and software
- Experience of G Suite products
- Your diligence and drive are unparalleled with a high level of attention to detail
- Fluent written and verbal English.
Nice to have:
- Knowledge and expertise in social impact, learning & development, diversity & inclusion, digital upskilling
- Examples of implementing new processes to optimise efficiency or deliver best practice
- Project management certification preferred
Location : UK based - We currently do not offer sponsorship
Our values
We own it: The impact of what we do is what fuels us, so we take full ownership of our work and our relationships to ensure we deliver with pride.
We fix each other’s crowns: Whether it’s our team, our clients or our partners, we support each other to be at our best, always striving to be there when you need an uplift.
We strive to grow: Every person we meet has something amazing to offer this world, so we celebrate our differences and foster a mindset of curiosity, inspiring each other to greatness.
We work sustainably: We adopt mindful practices and prioritise the health of each other and our environment, ensuring our impact is always positive.
Does this sound like you? Then get involved!
We would love to get a feel for your approach and personality, so if you feel you would be a great fit, please submit your application.
- Department
- Programmes
- Locations
- London
- Remote status
- Hybrid Remote
London
Programme Director
Loading application form