Project Manager – SC Cleared - £300 per day inside IR35
Payments Innovation & Fintech | Central Operations
We are supporting a high-profile organisation at the centre of payments innovation to hire a Lead Project Manager.
This is a senior delivery role with real public policy impact, sitting within a central operations function covering project management, governance, PMO, and secretariat services. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of a nationally significant programme with strong public and stakeholder interest.
The Role
As Project Manager, you will be responsible for shaping and driving delivery across complex, multi-disciplinary workstreams. Your initial focus will be on establishing a pragmatic delivery approach, completing integrated planning for 2026, and maintaining momentum across in-flight priorities.
Over time, you will take ownership of one or more retail payments workstreams, aligning delivery to strategic objectives and ensuring strong governance, reporting, and control.
You will work closely with senior stakeholders, fellow Project Managers, task owners, and the PMO to deliver outcomes at pace while maintaining high standards of assurance and control.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead integrated planning activities for 2026, incorporating lessons learned from previous phases
* Manage complex, multi-disciplinary workstreams, including detailed plans and interdependencies
* Track delivery progress, manage RAID, and implement corrective actions where required
* Escalate risks and issues appropriately within governance forums
* Coordinate project governance, reporting, and assurance activities
* Apply change control and configuration management processes
* Coach and support colleagues on project methodologies and ways of working
* Collaborate closely with the Operations Senior Manager, PMO, and other PMs to ensure joined-up delivery
About You
You are a confident, delivery-focused Project Manager with experience leading complex programmes across both public and private sector environments. You are comfortable operating in high-profile, high-scrutiny settings and can influence senior stakeholders with credibility and clarity.
Essential experience:
* Full project lifecycle delivery (planning, estimating, RAID, governance)
* Managing complex projects with multiple dependencies
* Strong stakeholder management and senior-level communication skills
* Ability to prioritise effectively and deliver under pressure
* Sound judgement and an adaptable approach to delivery
* Recognised project or programme management qualification (PRINCE2, MSP, APMP, PMP or equivalent)
Desirable experience:
* Payments (retail or wholesale)
* Central bank or financial services regulatory environments