Programme Manager (Global Financial Institution Projects)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Manager to act as an extension of our client's regional team, supporting the delivery of corporate real estate and workplace projects in Hong Kong.

Based in Hong Kong, the successful candidate will serve as the primary representative of the Singapore-based client team, providing leadership, governance, and oversight of local project delivery. The role requires close management of the local Project Manager, Cost Manager, consultants, and contractors to ensure projects are delivered in accordance with the client's strategic objectives, programme requirements, budget, quality standards, and governance procedures.

This position is ideal for an individual with extensive experience delivering workplace transformation, office restack, relocation, and fit-out projects within financial institutions, combined with exceptional stakeholder management and leadership skills.

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Key Responsibilities

Client Representation & Programme Leadership

• Act as the client's representative in Hong Kong and serve as the primary interface between the Singapore-based client team and local project delivery teams.
• Lead the planning, execution, governance, and reporting of workplace and capital projects across the Hong Kong portfolio.
• Ensure project delivery aligns with the client's business objectives, workplace strategy, operational requirements, and corporate standards.
• Drive project governance, decision-making, and escalation processes to support successful project outcomes.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to client stakeholders regarding programme risks, opportunities, and delivery considerations.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Corporate Real Estate, Business Units, Technology, Facilities Management, Information Security, Compliance, Risk, Procurement, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Act as a trusted advisor capable of influencing, challenging, and managing stakeholder expectations constructively.
• Facilitate alignment among diverse stakeholder groups and drive timely decisions within a complex matrix organisation.
• Lead governance meetings, steering committee reviews, workshops, and executive presentations.
• Manage communications between regional and local teams to ensure transparency and effective decision-making.

Project & Delivery Team Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight to the local Project Manager, Cost Manager, consultants, and contractors.
• Monitor project performance against programme, budget, scope, quality, and risk objectives.
• Review project schedules, procurement plans, cost forecasts, change requests, and risk registers.
• Ensure project controls and reporting processes are implemented and maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proactively identify and resolve delivery challenges and project risks.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Oversee project budgets, cost forecasts, financial reporting, and funding approvals.
• Review and challenge cost plans, procurement recommendations, variations, and final account settlements.
• Support business case preparation and investment approval processes.
• Ensure robust commercial governance and financial control processes are maintained.
• Drive value creation while maintaining quality and programme commitments.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with client governance requirements, regulatory obligations, company policies, and industry best practices.
• Identify project risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ensure health, safety, security, and quality standards are maintained throughout project execution.
• Manage project reporting, approvals, audits, and documentation requirements.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience in Programme Management, Project Management, Corporate Real Estate, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience delivering workplace projects within financial institutions, banking, or other highly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing office restack, workplace transformation, office relocation, fit-out, refurbishment, and occupancy planning projects.
• Experience acting as a client representative and managing external project management, cost management, and consulting teams.
• Proven experience working with senior stakeholders across multiple business functions and geographical locations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Engineering, Real Estate, or related discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as PMP, MRICS, MAPM, RIBA, PE, or equivalent are preferred.