At WHSmith Europe our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. That’s why our Commercial team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing in order to do their best work.
We are seeking an experienced Finance Transformation Project Manager to support the delivery of key workstreams within a large-scale transformation programme, with an immediate focus on Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations. The role will provide disciplined project leadership across business, Finance, Technology and third-party delivery teams, ensuring that plans, dependencies, risks and decisions are actively managed through to successful implementation.
The successful candidate will bring prior experience of complex, enterprise-scale finance transformation programmes and the seniority to manage integrated project plans both internally and with external systems integration (SI) partners. They will be delivery-focused, commercially aware and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with senior stakeholders and multiple interdependent workstreams.
What you will be doing
Project and Programme Delivery
- Manage the delivery of key EPM and ERP implementation workstreams from mobilisation through design, build, testing, deployment and transition to business-as-usual support.
- Develop, own and maintain integrated project plans covering scope, milestones, resources, critical dependencies and deliverables across internal teams and external SI partners.
- Drive accountability and delivery discipline across workstream leads, Finance, Technology, data, testing and change teams.
- Maintain robust RAID, decision and dependency logs, escalating material issues promptly with clear options and recommended actions.
- Coordinate delivery activities with SI partners, challenge plans and estimates constructively, and ensure supplier commitments remain aligned to programme outcomes.
- Provide concise, accurate status reporting for programme governance forums and senior stakeholders, covering progress, forecast, risks, decisions and recovery actions.
- Manage scope and change control, ensuring impacts on timeline, cost, resources and benefits are understood before decisions are taken.
Stakeholder, Governance and Partner Management
- Build effective working relationships with Finance process owners, Technology teams, programme leadership and senior business stakeholders.
- Lead regular workstream planning, status and dependency meetings, ensuring actions and decisions are documented and followed through.
- Create transparency across vendor and internal delivery plans, identify gaps or misalignment early, and drive practical resolution.
- Support readiness and adoption activity by coordinating with change, communications, training and business teams so that project delivery is aligned to operational implementation.
- Promote strong governance, quality and control while maintaining momentum and a pragmatic focus on outcomes.
What we are looking for:
- Significant project management experience within large, complex finance transformation programmes of comparable size, scale and organisational impact.
- Proven delivery experience across at least one full lifecycle EPM and/or ERP implementation; experience across both is strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of finance processes, systems implementation lifecycles and the dependencies across design, data, integrations, testing, cutover and business readiness.
- Comfortable using project management software (e.g. Monday.com or similar) to maintain integrated project plans, monitor progress against milestones and provide clear management reporting.
- Demonstrable experience managing integrated project plans and delivery commitments with external SI partners, consultancies and technology vendors.
- Sufficient seniority, confidence and judgement to challenge constructively, resolve delivery issues and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent planning, governance, risk management, dependency management and executive reporting skills.
- A hands-on, proactive and structured approach, with the ability to cut through complexity and maintain delivery momentum.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate detailed programme information into clear messages and decisions.
- Relevant project management qualification such as PRINCE2, PMP or an equivalent is desirable.
- Experience in retail, travel or another fast-paced, multi-site commercial environment would be advantageous.
How we reward our teams:
- 4pm Friday Finish
- Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
- 25 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
- Family Friendly Leave
- Pension Scheme
- Sharesave Scheme
- Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
- Competitive Salary
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Staff Discount Card for railway stores (subject to policy)
About us:
Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries – the air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey. As a diverse group of over 6,000 colleagues, we’re all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.
Our business operates from two key locations, In a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.
For WHSmith Europe, our mission is simple – to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands across airports, hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our operational environment is fast-paced and highly regulated, requiring exceptional standards of maintenance, compliance, health & safety and colleague welfare across every location.
We’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.
We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
