Head of Programmes and Portfolios

Head of Programmes and Portfolios | Permanent | Dunstable

Whitbread is investing heavily into its people and its technology, and as such are looking to hire a Head of Programmes and Portfolios to lead Technology projects across our core business areas including Hotels, Restaurants, Finance, Supply Chain, Commercial, Security and International.

About the role:

Leadership role, with accountability for the successful delivery, to time and budget, of all functional programmes of work and roadmaps across Whitbread’s transformation and digital agenda

This will include delivery accountability over the functional roadmaps for Hotel Ops, Restaurants, Finance, Supply Chain, International, Commercial and Security  

Regular ExCo level stakeholder management to report on progress, risks and issues. The role may also be required to represent Change Delivery at PLC Board when reporting key programme progress

Definition of end to end delivery approaches for future programmes of work

Role will also drive enhancement to Whitbread’s delivery capability and long term high performance model for developing project and programme managers

Part of Change Delivery leadership team, and deputy for Head of Change Delivery at key Exec and Governance forums (including facilitation of the Technology Committee)

What you’ll be doing:

Deliver all functional IT roadmaps of change within time and budget tolerances

Single leadership point of contract for all functional delivery roadmaps, representing IT and Transformation to internal and external exec stakeholders

Provide strategic thought leadership to best delivery practice

Direct, steer and influence programmes with effective engagement with senior stakeholders and 3rd parties

Full accountability for programme delivery scope across roadmap portfolios

Drive the definition of business case

Monitor overall benefits tracking and report back performance against benefits post initial deployment prior to handover to service

Drive communities of practice across programmes of work

Develop and maintain close working relationship with Strategy and Architecture, Service and Security teams

Ensure portfolios, programme and projects are planned and resourced effectively, and have robust and clear delivery approaches

Ensure all programmes of work are delivered in accordance to Whitbread’s governance arrangements

Ensure commercial arrangements with partners are set effectively and are competitive

Ensure all programme and project finances are tracked end-to-end and in line with Whitbread methodology

Ensure all resource forecasting for programmes are managed correctly

Drive consistency and high standards across the delivery function

People manage direct reports

Assure programme transition successfully from delivery into managed support/service

What you’ll need:

Deep programme management background with more than 10 years programme and project management

Experience in a leadership role within an IT function

Experience of C-level stakeholder management

Experience of delivering enterprise change programmes in a complex corporate environment

Multi-year experience of Supplier Management, RFI and RFP processes

Demonstrable experience of delivering multiple large technology integration projects from concept through to operational use

Proven experience of directing and motivating project teams in complex matrix management environments

Strong understanding of Enterprise software and smaller-scale SaaS/software products

Strong understanding of the underlying business processes required to trade, operate and support a Hotel business or equivalent business

Relationship Management – ability to build, establish and maintain influential relationships to drive effective decision making

Whitbread is an inclusive employer. We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. Under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQ+ community (those who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans sexual, non binary or use another term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us. We are open to part-time and flexible working and, where possible, will try to support this.