Programme Manager

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a family-run business that has been offering exceptional cruise experiences for over 170 years. With a fleet of ships that provide intimate, friendly, and immersive voyages, we are committed to delivering world-class service with a personal touch. Join us and be part of a proud heritage that is all about making lasting memories for our guests.

We are looking for a Programme Manager to join our Digital Delivery team and be responsible for shaping, developing and leading outcome-focused programmes that deliver strategic value at pace. Working closely with senior stakeholders, business functions and delivery teams, the Programme Manager will champion best practice, drive organisational maturity, and ensure the consistent application of delivery standards across the organisation.

What you will be doing:

• Leading multiple projects and workstreams within a programme, ensuring delivery to agreed objectives, timescales and budgets.
• Establishing effective programme governance, reporting, risk management and stakeholder engagement.
• Building strong relationships with senior leaders, business stakeholders and third-party suppliers to drive successful outcomes.
• Providing leadership and support to Project Managers, championing best practice and Agile ways of working.
• Managing programme resources, dependencies, benefits realisation and successful transition into business-as-usual operations.
• Supporting supplier selection, contract management and delivery assurance where external partners are involved.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in shaping and delivering strategic change across the organisation while driving tangible business value and continuous improvement.

We are keen to hear from candidates with proven programme management experience, or experience leading multiple interrelated projects, with a strong track record of delivering successful outcomes within agreed scope, timescales and budgets. The successful candidate will possess excellent stakeholder management, communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and engage confidently with senior stakeholders across the business. You will be adept at aligning diverse teams and interests around shared programme objectives, ensuring effective collaboration and delivery. You will also have the ability to interpret complex delivery information and translate it into clear, concise reports, recommendations and decision-making materials for senior audiences, enabling informed strategic discussions and effective governance.

Experience of working with recognised project, programme and agile management tools is highly desirable, including Jira, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Planner Premium and Microsoft Project. Experience of embedding best practice delivery methodologies and driving continuous improvement within a programme management environment would also be advantageous.

This is a Full-Time, permanent position working 35 hours per week based at our Head Office (Fred Olsen House, 42 White House Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 5LL) offering a hybrid work pattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days at home.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offer a wide range of benefits including Axa Health medical, Life Assurance, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, discounted holidays and cruises, plus retail discounts and cash back incentives through our Boost Benefits scheme.

Attached to this advert you will find a full overview of the fantastic benefits we offer, along with a detailed Job Profile for this position.

Our Values:

We are one team - Working together, supporting each other and recognising that every role plays a part.

We are ambitious - Always looking for opportunities to improve and deliver more for our guests, colleagues and business.

We are curious - Asking questions, seeking new ideas and learning from the world around us.

We are real - Bringing our authentic selves to work and creating genuine connections.

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We want to ensure that you feel supported throughout the application process and provide reasonable adjustments where necessary and requested. If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of your application and interview process, please do not hesitate to let us know.