Program Manager

Client of YALLO Retail

Role Purpose:    

The Programme Manager is accountable for the end-to-end delivery of the Enterprise Network & Infrastructure Transformation ensuring the programme is executed with pace, structure and control.This is a hands-on role, responsible for establishing and driving all programme management activities from planning and governance through to execution, tracking and delivery assurance.Working in close partnership with the Programme Lead, Architecture, Infrastructure & Networks, Security and external partners, the Programme Manager ensures that all workstreams are actively driven, tightly coordinated and delivered to outcome, with full visibility of progress, risks and decisions.The role is critical in ensuring the programme operates with discipline, clarity and accountability,translating a complex environment into a structured, controlled and successful transformation.

Key Accountabilities:

End-to-End Programme Delivery Ownership - Accountable for the full lifecycle delivery of the programme, from mobilisation through to execution and transition into BAU, ensuring delivery against agreed timelines, scope and outcomes.

Hands-On Programme Management Execution -

Actively lead and execute all programme management activities, including:

Building and maintaining detailed plans

Driving workstreams and holding owners accountable

Tracking progress, milestones and deliverables

Ensuring momentum and delivery pace are maintained

Governance Establishment & Leadership

Design, implement and run the programme governance model, including:

SteerCo (agenda, materials, decisions, follow-ups)

Weekly working groups and execution forums

Decision and action tracking

Planning, Sequencing & Dependency Management

Develop and continuously manage a fully integrated programme plan, ensuring:

Clear sequencing across assessment, design and transformation

Dependencies are identified, tracked and resolved

Risks to timelines are proactively mitigated

Stakeholder Management & Alignment - Actively engage and align stakeholders across:

Infrastructure & Networks

Information Security

Engineering and Operations

External partners

Ensuring clarity of roles, expectations and delivery responsibilities

Risk, Issue & Escalation Management  Own and drive resolution of:

Programme risks · Delivery issues

Blockers and delays

Ensuring timely escalation and closure

Change Control & Delivery Discipline-

Enforce strict change control and governance, ensuring:

No work progresses outside agreed programme structure

Scope remains controlled and aligned

Delivery is not fragmented or duplicated

CapEx & Initiative Control

Track and manage all programme-related initiatives and investments, ensuring: 

Alignment to programme priorities

Appropriate governance and approvals

Clear visibility of financial and delivery impact

Vendor & Partner Delivery Management -

Actively manage delivery from:

Independent assessment partner

Technology vendor

Internal and external delivery teams Ensuring accountability, quality and adherence to timelines.

Reporting, Transparency & Communication - Produce and manage:

Executive-level updates

Programme dashboards

Clear reporting on progress, risks, decisions and outcomes

Quality Assurance & Delivery Integrity - Ensure all outputs are:

Complete and consistent

Aligned to programme objectives

Delivered to the required quality standards

Transition & Value Realisation -

Drive the transition of programme outputs into BAU, ensuring:

Adoption of new ways of working

Realisation of expected outcomes (stability, performance, scalability) 

Core Knowledge & Experience:

10+ years of experience in networking, with significant experience in architecture leadership roles across large, distributed, multi-country environments.

Proven ability to define and govern scalable network architectures across retail, logistics, corporate and cloud environments.

Strong architecture-level expertise across:

Cisco (Meraki, Catalyst, SD-WAN)

Network Access Control (ISE)

Firewalls (Fortinet / Cisco)

SASE / SSE architectures at scale

LAN / WAN / Wi-Fi design and segmentation

Cloud & Hybrid Networking (preferred)

Experience with Azure/AWS networking patterns, hybrid connectivity and integration with enterprise cloud platforms.

Strong understanding of secure network design principles, including segmentation, Zero Trust and integration with enterprise security controls.

Experience defining and enforcing architecture standards, design patterns and governance  frameworks, including participation in ARB/TDA forums.

Practical understanding of Terraform and network automation, with the ability to define governance and operating models.

Experience working with and influencing managed service providers and strategic technology vendors, ensuring alignment to architectural standards.

Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders, drive alignment across multiple teams, and operate effectively in complex organisational environments.

Ability to translate technical architecture into measurable business outcomes, with a focus on stability, scalability, performance and user experience.