A national public sector organisation is strengthening its programme delivery capability and has partnered with Reed Talent Solutions to recruit a Programme Benefits Lead for a 12 month initial contract which is highly likely to be a long-term contract.
The role will be offered on a hybrid basis with flexibility to attend the office 2 days per week. There will also be some occasional regional travel required which will be expensed.
The rate for this role will be between £550 - £600 per day inside IR35 (umbrella).
This is a high‑profile role supporting one of their flagship change programmes, operating in a complex, fast‑paced and mission‑critical environment.
About the Role
As Programme Benefits Lead, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of benefits realisation across a major programme.
Reporting to the Programme Manager, and working closely with the Portfolio Management Office (PMO), you will ensure a consistent, robust and best‑practice approach to benefits management. You will work alongside programme leadership, project managers and business change teams to ensure that benefits are clearly defined, owned, tracked and ultimately realised in line with the agreed business case and organisational priorities.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the programme’s benefits management function, applying expert knowledge and providing insightful challenge to ensure both cashable and non‑cashable benefits are realised
* Develop and maintain all core benefits management products, including:
* Benefits management strategy
* Benefits map and benefit profiles
* Benefits register
* Benefits realisation plan
* Produce timely, accurate and insightful benefits reporting to support senior decision‑making
* Monitor and report on key risks and issues impacting benefits realisation, ensuring appropriate escalation and mitigation
* Work closely with projects and workstreams to understand dependencies, milestones and impacts on benefits delivery
* Support and lead post‑implementation reviews at tranche and programme level
* Design and facilitate workshops to support benefits identification, ownership and agreement
* Champion best practice benefits management standards across the programme and provide coaching and guidance where required
The Ideal You
* Demonstrable experience managing benefits within a large, complex programme
* Strong track record of influencing, negotiating with and constructively challenging senior / director‑level stakeholders
* Highly competent in analysing quantitative and qualitative data to support effective decision‑making
* Experienced in establishing and embedding benefits management processes and controls
* Confident facilitator, able to balance differing perspectives and build consensus
* Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to produce clear reporting and compelling narratives for senior audiences
* Highly organised, detail‑focused and comfortable operating in a pressured environment
* Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across multidisciplinary teams
Preferred Experience & Qualifications
* Experience applying MSP, PRINCE2 or similar programme and project management frameworks
* Benefits Management qualification (e.g. Managing Benefits Practitioner or equivalent)
* Experience working within government or public‑sector environments
* Desirable certifications include P3O, PRINCE2 / PRINCE2 Agile, Change Management
Security & Vetting
The successful candidate will need to undergo enhanced security clearance (eSC) so it wont be an immediate start, however they will aim to fast track this application.
If you have the right skills and experience and are motivated by delivering meaningful change in a national security context, apply now and we’ll be in touch.