We are seeking an experienced Senior Delivery Manager for the delivery of large-scale, complex digital programmes within the public sector. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep expertise in Agile delivery, User-Centred Design (UCD), and GDS service assessments, alongside proven experience leading delivery teams and engaging senior stakeholders.

The role holder will be accountable for end-to-end delivery, ensuring services are delivered at pace, to high quality, and in line with GDS standards and public sector expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Leadership

• Take full accountability for the successful delivery of one or more large, complex digital programmes.
• Lead delivery from discovery through to live service and continuous improvement.
• Own delivery plans, milestones, risks, dependencies, and benefits realisation.
• Establish and maintain effective delivery governance, reporting, and assurance.

Agile & Ways of Working

• Champion Agile principles and practices across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure Agile is applied pragmatically within complex public sector environments.
• Coach teams and stakeholders in Agile delivery, continuous improvement, and outcome‑focused working.

User-Centred Design & GDS

• Ensure User-Centred Design is embedded throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Work closely with Product, UCD, and Technical leads to ensure services meet real user needs.
• Lead teams through GDS service assessments (Discovery, Alpha, Beta, Live), ensuring services meet the Service Standard.
• Act as the senior point of accountability for assessment readiness and outcomes.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including SROs and executive sponsors.
• Provide clear, confident reporting and advice at senior and executive levels.
• Manage and assure third‑party suppliers and delivery partners, holding them accountable for outcomes.

People & Leadership

• Provide visible, inspirational leadership across delivery teams.
• Line manage and develop Delivery Managers and senior delivery professionals.
• Build delivery capability, foster high‑performing teams, and promote a culture of learning and improvement.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience delivering large-scale Agile programmes in the public sector.
• Proven experience operating in a senior Delivery Management or Delivery Leadership role.
• Strong hands-on experience with Agile delivery frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or equivalent).
• Demonstrable experience embedding User-Centred Design in digital delivery.
• Direct experience leading teams through GDS service assessments.
• Strong people management and leadership experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including influencing at senior and executive levels.
• Proven ability to manage risk, complexity, and ambiguity in high-profile environments.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within central government, NHS, or wider public sector organisations.
• Experience managing delivery across multiple suppliers or system integrators.
• Knowledge of public sector governance, assurance, and funding models.
• Relevant delivery or Agile qualifications (e.g. SAFe, Scrum, MSP, PRINCE2 Agile).