Programme Manager - Commerce (Contract)

vmlenterprisesolutions

London, England, United Kingdom · London · United Kingdom

Posted Mar 3, 2026

Contract
Freelance

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Job description

Who We Are

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution. Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. VML, part of WPP, supports WPP Enterprise Solutions by helping brands activate transformation through creativity and experience.

Programme Manager with extensive experience including experience managing small programmes of work needed to join our team

This is a London based Contract role

The opportunity:

You lead teams to deliver high quality, complex project(s) on budget and within a specified timeframe to achieve the potential benefits defined in the business case. You work closely with the Account Director to achieve productivity goals and contribute to the organisation’s overall success.

What you’ll be doing:

Accountable for all delivery across the programme
Analyse, evaluate, and overcome programme risks, and produce accurate programme reports for management and stakeholders
Maintain organisational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance, including the creation and implementation of ways of working at the start of a programme
Create and implement effective ways of working at the start of the programme and ensure these are adhered to throughout the project lifecycle
Track and manage dependencies between projects and workstreams, creating programme level plans to ensure these are addressed
Ensure programme goals are reached by keeping the workstreams updated on progress and any changes that need to be made.
Provide support and guidance to project managers within your account and line management for several project managers outside of your account.
Maintain a resource plan showing resource commitment across the projects and keep track of potential end dates in association with functional lead personnel
Track resource requests and manage fulfilment of these requests internally or externally as appropriate
Develop strong relationships with WTC team members and client stakeholders at all levels
Work with the client to understand their vision and plan the programme of work to successfully achieve that vision to the greatest effect
Define and implement programme level governance in conjunction with the client
Manage third party vendors on behalf of the client

What we want from you:

Experience in managing multiple teams across different workstreams. As a minimum, if in a team management role, this should be at least 20 people
A good understanding of the software development lifecycle & release management
Proven track record in the successful delivery of an ecommerce migration/Re-platform
Strong stakeholder management skills
Excellent negotiation skills & an ability to handle sensitive issues with tact & diplomacy
Exposure to medium to large scale fixed price project delivery
Experience in multi-vendor management
Experience of managing people and financial budgets (including programme budgeting, monitoring financials etc.) ideally in an eCommerce environment
Experience of overseeing 3rd parties
Excellent risk management skills
Minimum of three years’ experience working in an Agile environment
Proven track record of working with organisations moving from Waterfall to Agile delivery approaches
Working knowledge of Agile frameworks, Scrum and Kanban
Effective leadership skills with experience of managing other project managers.
Strong time management & organisational skills.
Excellent communication and relationship management skills
Good commercial knowledge, experience of contract negotiations would be advantageous.
Software Application Development related Project management experience (min 6 years) .
Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
Minimum BA/BS degree with a major in information management, marketing, communications, business or other closely-related areas is an advantage

What we can offer you:

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

Our culture thrives on our core values, designed for impact-driven individuals: Heart, Brains and Courage.

We lead with Heart, fostering empathy and trust where genuine connections and human-centric work flourish.
We empower your Brains for innovation, valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges.
And we champion Courage, inspiring you to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

WPP Enterprise Solutions is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

#LI-EMEA

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence and world-class partnerships – all united by our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

WPP (VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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