Principal Delivery Lead

£130,000 GBP

Onsite WORKING

Location: Leicester, East Midlands - United Kingdom Type: Permanent

Permanent - Full time opportunity

Previous Public Sector & Consultancy experience essential

Remote-first opportunity - travel across UK expected

A highly experienced Senior Delivery Manager is sought to lead the successful delivery of innovative digital services and platforms that meet user needs and deliver measurable business outcomes. This role requires a proven leader who can balance governance, quality standards, and commercial accountability while empowering teams to perform at their best.

The Senior Delivery Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping project vision, ensuring outcomes are achieved for clients, and driving continuous improvement across large-scale digital transformation programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Excellence

• Define and communicate the vision for each project, ensuring agreed outcomes are achieved for both clients and stakeholders.
• Establish and monitor critical success factors that extend beyond traditional metrics such as budget, scope, and timelines.
• Drive profitability targets, forecasting accuracy, and timely reporting of key project variables (revenue, staffing, debt, work in progress).
• Develop strategies to deliver added value, proactively manage client expectations, and resolve issues effectively.
• Build a high-performing culture by motivating and empowering teams, setting clear goals, and ensuring regular feedback and appraisals.
• Manage resourcing, onboarding of new team members, and act as the escalation point for project or people-related issues.
• Foster collaborative relationships with clients, suppliers, and third-party stakeholders.

Governance & Quality

• Implement effective governance frameworks and technical quality standards across the project lifecycle.
• Partner with assurance teams to conduct health checks, risk assessments, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure full compliance with confidentiality, data security, and non-disclosure requirements.

Business Development & Client Growth

• Collaborate with Sales and Account Management to identify new opportunities, shape innovative client solutions, and position the organisation to win new business.
• Showcase project successes internally and externally through case studies, award submissions, and thought leadership.
• Take accountability for contracts and commercial terms, safeguarding the organisation from risk.

Leadership & Professional Growth

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in management and leadership practices.
• Align delivery with best practice in technology, experience design, and consulting.
• Champion innovation in digital technology and delivery processes.
• Support recruitment and talent development to enable sustainable organisational growth.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• 5+ years managing complex, technology-driven projects using agile methodologies, including digital transformation programmes (mobile and web applications).
• Strong consultancy background with at least 5 years in client-facing roles across public sector/government projects.
• Proven expertise in governance, managing budgets of £1M+, and reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Track record of developing new business opportunities and driving client account growth.
• Sector experience in at least one vertical such as technology, healthcare, or government.
• Demonstrated responsibility for contracts and commercial project terms.
• Ability to make critical decisions under pressure while balancing client demands.

Desirable:

• Experience leading distributed, multi-supplier agile teams on large-scale digital projects.
• Knowledge of user research, analytics, and design disciplines within digital delivery.
• Evidence of securing significant follow-on business with existing clients.
• Recognition for thought leadership or improvement of leadership practices.
• Current, recognised Project or Programme Management certification.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of complex project dynamics.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with credibility at all levels.
• Clear communicator with confidence in formal presentations and client engagement.
• Team-oriented, collaborative, and resilient in challenging delivery environments.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to travel when required.
• Visionary mindset with a drive for innovation and a commitment to delivering industry firsts.