Lead Project Manager

Railpen

. Line-manage and develop Project Managers, supporting performance, wellbeing and long-term career progression .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeLondon • United KingdomSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership in developing high-performing Project Managers while establishing and improving Project Management methodologies and frameworks. Capable of fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within a professional community to enhance capability and performance.

Highest-signal resume keywords

People LeadershipProject Management MethodologiesCoaching and MentoringStakeholder ManagementCommunity Building

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project ManagementGovernanceRisk ManagementStakeholder ManagementDelivery LeadershipPerformance AnalysisCapability DevelopmentAI-Enabled Practices

Soft Skills

Inclusive LeadershipCommunicationInfluencingCollaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

PRINCE2APM

Industry Keywords

Change ManagementTransformationFinancial ServicesPensionsInvestment

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Line-manage and develop Project Managers, supporting performance, wellbeing and long-term career progression
Own and continuously improve the Project Management capability across Change & Transformation
Establish professional standards, methodologies, frameworks, role expectations, development pathways, AI-enabled practices and ways of working
Build and lead a Project Management community promoting consistency, collaboration, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development
Work with matrix managers, Portfolio Managers and Resource Planning colleagues on deployment, utilisation, performance feedback, succession planning and capability development
Coach and mentor Project Managers on planning, governance, stakeholder management, risk management and delivery leadership
Use performance trends, feedback, delivery insights and lessons learned to identify capability gaps and improve Project Management practice
Partner with other capability leads to align Project Management standards with organisational and portfolio needs
Champion adoption of Change & Transformation and Project Management frameworks across the portfolio
Advocate for the Project Management profession across Change & Transformation and the wider organisation
Participate in team anchor days, capability forums, coaching activities, workshops and other in-person events

Requirements

What you’ll need

Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams through an inclusive and collaborative leadership style
Strong coaching and mentoring capability, adaptable to colleagues at different stages of development and career journey
Significant experience establishing, implementing and continuously improving Project Management methodologies, frameworks, standards and ways of working
Strong understanding of Project Management disciplines, including planning, governance, risk management, stakeholder management and delivery controls
Experience building and leading professional communities that promote consistency, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development
Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with confidence to challenge constructively and drive positive outcomes
Experience working across matrix structures to support resource deployment, capability development and succession planning
Ability to use performance trends, feedback and delivery insight to identify capability gaps and improve professional practice
Ability to balance consistency, governance and professional standards with a pragmatic, outcome-focused approach
Desirable: experience developing or embedding AI-enabled Project Management practices within a change or transformation environment
Desirable: experience establishing or leading a professional community of practice across a complex organisation
Desirable: relevant Project Management qualification or professional accreditation, such as PRINCE2, APM or equivalent
Desirable: experience operating in a financial services, pensions or investment environment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary (depending on experience) plus generous annual bonus plan
28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement providing a pension for life and a lump sum at retirement based on length of service and pay
4x Life Assurance cover
Hybrid and flexible working
12 months full pay maternity leave
6 months full pay paternity leave
Additional benefits available through Railpen’s full benefits range