Head of Programme Management

The Opportunity

Cordova is seeking a strategic and highly experienced IT Program Manager to lead our client's most critical technology initiatives. This role is designed for a leader who excels at orchestrating complex projects that involve both custom software development and Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solution implementations.

As the primary architect of program delivery, you will align large-scale IT efforts with corporate strategy, manage intricate cross-functional dependencies, and lead multiple Agile teams to deliver measurable business value. We are looking for a candidate who can navigate the complexities of vendor relationships, executive stakeholder management, and financial oversight with precision.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategic Delivery

End-to-End Oversight: Manage the full lifecycle of large-scale IT programs, from initial concept through post-implementation review.

Roadmap Development: Translate high-level strategic objectives into actionable program roadmaps, release plans, and tangible milestones.

Agile Synchronization: Coordinate delivery across multiple Agile teams, ensuring the synchronization of sprint goals, program increments, and shared dependencies.

Stakeholder & Governance Management

Executive Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for business sponsors, technology leaders, and external vendors; lead steering committee updates and provide strategic recommendations.

Risk & Impediment Mitigation: Proactively identify and track risks across the program portfolio, implementing robust mitigation strategies.

Governance & Standards: Ensure all initiatives comply with company standards, security protocols, and industry best practices.

Financial & Performance Oversight

Budgetary Control: Develop and manage program budgets, forecasts, and resource allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Metrics & KPIs: Track and analyze program health using metrics such as velocity, burn-down charts, and cycle time to optimize value delivery.

Vendor Coordination: Manage third-party vendor relationships, ensuring contractual obligations and service-level agreements (SLAs) are met.

The Ideal Candidate

Experience & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Tenure: 7+ years of IT program/project management experience, with at least 3 years specifically in Agile environments.

Proven Success: A track record of leading large-scale initiatives involving both custom development and COTS integrations.

Domain Expertise: Experience in insurance or financial services is highly desirable.

Certifications: PMP or PgMP certification is strongly preferred.

Core Competencies

Agile Mastery: Strong knowledge of Scrum, Kanban, and scaled Agile practices.

Leadership: Ability to foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Negotiation: Exceptional communication and conflict resolution skills, particularly when managing complex vendor contracts and stakeholder expectations.