Transformation Programme Director Perm, UK or Ireland

Transformation Programme Director Perm, UK or Ireland Overview

This is a permanent, full-time remote role for candidates based in the UK or Ireland. The position sits within Nearform’s Transformation Office and is focused on leading the company’s AI-driven organisational change. The role is both strategic and practical, combining programme governance with hands-on delivery across workforce planning, talent strategy, operating model change, and cultural adoption.

Nearform is a global digital engineering consultancy working at the leading edge of AI-native transformation. The company partners with ambitious organisations to design, build, and scale digital products and platforms. Internally, Nearform is now undertaking its own AI-native engineering transformation, and the Transformation Office is central to that effort. This role is especially important in helping shape how Delivery, Go-to-Market, and back-office functions evolve, while also supporting the creation of Nearform’s AI Centre of Excellence in Ireland.

What the role involves

The Transformation Programme Director will act as a senior change leader responsible for coordinating and driving complex transformation programmes across the business. The role brings together programme management, governance, workforce planning, talent strategy, and change leadership to ensure the organisation is structured and enabled to operate as a genuinely AI-native business.

You will work closely with leaders across Delivery, People & Talent, Go-to-Market, shared services, and the executive team. The role requires someone who can connect strategy to execution, keep multiple workstreams aligned, and ensure the transformation delivers practical outcomes across the organisation.

Core responsibilities

• Partner with the Transformation Office to create clear programme structures, governance arrangements, and regular operating rhythms.
• Own the integrated plan across all Transformation Office workstreams and actively manage dependencies, risks, and milestones.
• Provide executive-level updates, insight, and reporting on progress, blockers, and decisions needed to keep the transformation moving.
• Build and embed change management practices that support long-term adoption of new ways of working.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of complex cross-functional transformation activity.
• Work in close collaboration with Delivery leadership, People & Talent, Go-to-Market teams, shared services, and the executive team.
• Help establish Nearform’s AI CoE in Ireland.
• Support workforce planning and talent strategy by translating business priorities into capability and people plans.
• Contribute to the evolution of Nearform’s Delivery and Go-to-Market organisations so they are equipped for AI-native ways of working.
• Support the wider business, including back-office functions, in adopting AI and realising efficiency gains.

Experience and background needed

• At least 10 years of experience leading large-scale transformation programmes in technology, consulting, or digital services environments.
• A strong history of delivering complex change across multiple functions or teams, ideally including transformation of engineering or technology organisations at scale.
• Practical experience in workforce planning and talent strategy, with the ability to turn business direction into actionable people and capability plans.
• Exposure to AI, machine learning, or AI-native engineering concepts, with the ability to engage credibly with engineering leaders on these subjects.
• Experience from a digital consultancy, technology services company, or fast-scaling product organisation is strongly preferred.

Skills and personal qualities

• Excellent programme management capability, with the confidence to manage complexity and keep several workstreams progressing at once.
• A strategic outlook combined with the discipline to turn vision into delivery-ready plans.
• Strong analytical and data skills, including the ability to interpret workforce, utilisation, and transformation metrics.
• Advanced familiarity with AI tools and the ability to apply AI across different disciplines and tasks.
• Strong communication and storytelling ability, including comfort influencing senior executives and engaging technical teams.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and maintain momentum through change.
• A collaborative leadership style, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust quickly.
• Resilience and adaptability when priorities shift or the environment is uncertain.

Why Nearform

This is an opportunity to help shape how a leading consultancy transforms itself and, in doing so, influence the wider industry. The role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, with a strong emphasis on pragmatic delivery and meaningful impact. You will join a globally distributed team with a collaborative culture, deep engineering experience, and a strong commitment to openness.

Nearform also offers genuine autonomy and executive support for the person in this role, along with competitive pay, flexible working, and a focus on personal growth and development.

Benefits and perks

• An annual company bonus tied to company performance, with employees sharing in the success of the business.
• Flexible remote working with a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
• 24 days of annual leave, plus public holidays.
• Additional leave options including sick leave and marriage leave.
• A remote working allowance of up to €1,250 every two years to help create a comfortable and productive workspace, alongside equipment provided at onboarding.
• Support for learning and professional development through a training and development allowance, subject to manager approval.
• Private healthcare.
• Pension matching of up to 5%.
• Income protection and death-in-service cover.

Interview process

• An initial 30-minute talent conversation over Zoom to discuss your background, experience, and career goals, and to hear more about Nearform.
• A one-hour interview with the Chief Transformation Officer.
• A 90-minute panel interview.
• A final 45-minute conversation with the Managing Director for the region to discuss the role, Nearform’s strategy, and any remaining questions.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through Nearform’s careers page using the Greenhouse application form. The form asks for standard details such as name, contact information, location, resume or CV, optional cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and how you heard about the company. Candidates can also request adjustments to the interview process if needed.

Nearform says it is committed to respect, inclusivity, diversity, and excellence, and encourages applicants who need interview accommodations to let the Talent Team know.

Degree Requirement: Not Specified

Visa Sponsorship May be