Overview
Programme Planner & Cutover Manager - Contract at Softcat
We are looking for an experienced Programme Planner to support a major Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE (Customer Engagement) implementation within a complex enterprise IT landscape. The Programme Planner will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the integrated programme plan, aligned to MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) principles, ensuring all projects, workstreams, and cutover activities are coordinated to deliver business outcomes. This role is critical in ensuring visibility of dependencies across CRM, ERP (NetSuite), eCommerce (eCat), and supporting systems, while providing decision-makers with the insight they need to manage risk, scope, and timelines effectively.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and maintain the integrated master schedule for the D365 CE programme, consolidating inputs from multiple workstreams (functional, technical, data, testing, training, change, cutover)
* Ensure alignment to MSP governance standards, including programme tranches, milestones, and benefits realisation profiles
* Identify and track dependencies across D365 CE, NetSuite, and eCat, highlighting risks and pinch points
* Provide scenario planning and critical path analysis to support decision-making
* Support programme governance, providing planning inputs for Steering Committees, Design Authorities, and Go/No-Go forums
* Prepare dashboards, reporting packs, and progress updates tailored for senior stakeholders and sponsors
* Ensure plans adhere to organisational planning standards, with traceability from high-level roadmap down to detailed schedules
* Proactively monitor schedule-related risks and issues and escalate where programme objectives may be impacted
* Maintain a structured dependency log, working with project managers and workstream leads to ensure mitigation plans are in place
* Provide impact analysis for proposed changes to scope, resourcing, or sequencing
* Work closely with Programme Manager, Project Managers, and PMO to ensure planning discipline across the programme
* Facilitate planning workshops, ensuring consistent scheduling practices and capturing assumptions, constraints, and contingencies
* Act as a trusted advisor to leadership by providing clarity on delivery confidence, options, and trade-offs
We'd love you to have
* 7+ years of experience in programme or portfolio planning, ideally in large-scale technology transformation programmes
* Strong knowledge of MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) methodology and governance
* Proven experience in ERP/CRM implementations, ideally Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE, with exposure to integrated landscapes (ERP – NetSuite, eCommerce/product catalog – eCat)
* Expertise with planning tools (MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent), including integrated planning, baselining, and reporting
* Proven track record of cutover planning for ERP or CRM programs (ideally Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE)
* Ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders with evidence-based insights
We also acknowledge that the confidence gap and imposter syndrome are a real thing and can get in the way of us meeting fantastic talent, so please don't hesitate to apply – we would love to hear from you!
Work in a way that works for you
We recognise that everyone is different and that the way in which people want to work and deliver at their best is different for everyone too. In this role, we can offer the following flexible working patterns:
* Hybrid working
* Working flexible hours - flexing the times you start and finish during the day
* Flexibility around school pick up and drop offs
Working with us
Wherever you work, we want you to experience the freedom and autonomy to realise your potential. You will feel supported by a team that celebrates individuality, encourages different perspectives, and embraces every background.
Join us
To become part of the success story, please apply now.
If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we can provide support or adjustments that you may need throughout our recruitment process or any mitigating circumstance you wish for us to consider. Any information you share on your application will be treated in confidence. You can find out more about life at Softcat and our commitments to diversity and inclusion at jobs.softcat.com/jobs/our-culture/
Here at Softcat, we don't prohibit the use of AI in our application process. We encourage you to be as authentically you as possible when submitting your application to showcase your true and whole self.
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