Programmes Director
About Us
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.
At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.
In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.
Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.
Build a newsworthy career at the FT.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
The Role
We're looking for an experienced Programmes Director to lead the governance, delivery and performance of the FT's strategic technology programme portfolio.
This is a senior leadership role within Product & Technology, responsible for overseeing a portfolio of large-scale transformation programmes while ensuring robust governance, financial oversight and measurable business value. You'll work closely with senior business and technology leaders to shape investment decisions, drive delivery excellence and ensure strategic programmes remain aligned to organisational priorities.
You'll provide leadership to a team of Project and Programme Managers, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and balance delivery rigour with the flexibility needed to support innovation across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a portfolio of strategic technology programmes, ensuring successful delivery against business objectives, budgets and expected outcomes.
- Provide leadership and matrix management to Project and Programme Managers, supporting capability development and delivery excellence.
- Establish and facilitate programme governance forums, steering groups and design authorities.
- Oversee programme financial management, business cases, value realisation and supplier performance.
- Partner with business and technology leaders to align transformation initiatives with organisational strategy.
- Champion programme and project management standards, coaching teams and implementing improvements where required.
- Lead organisational change activities to support successful adoption of new technologies, processes and operating models.
- Ensure programmes comply with governance, regulatory, architecture and security requirements.
- Identify, assess and mitigate programme risks while maintaining effective governance frameworks.
- Build strong relationships across Product, Technology and the wider business, providing clear updates and strategic advice to senior stakeholders.
Required Skills and Experience
- Significant experience leading complex portfolios of technology or digital transformation programmes.
- Proven track record managing multiple concurrent strategic programmes and delivering measurable business value.
- Experience leading Project and Programme Managers within a portfolio environment.
- Strong financial management skills, including investment oversight, ROI tracking and business case development.
- Experience working across Agile product development and structured programme delivery environments.
- Good understanding of enterprise technology, SaaS platforms, IT infrastructure and emerging technologies.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
- Strong leadership style focused on collaboration, coaching and delivery rather than command-and-control.
- Professional programme or project management certification (such as PMP, PRINCE2 or AgilePM) is desirable.
Desirable
- Experience leading CRM, ERP or Lead-to-Cash transformation programmes.
- Experience within media, publishing or subscription businesses.
- Experience operating in complex, federated organisations.
- Ability to balance delivery discipline with innovation in fast-paced environments.
What's in it for You?
Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.
We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.
Accessibility
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, please email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Further Information
At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.
Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com.
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