Senior Program Manager

Our client is a leading European IT systems integrator and digital services provider, holding a prime strategic position within European Union institutions and public sector markets. At the forefront of European digital sovereignty, the company is uniquely positioned compared to non-European competitors to deliver large-scale, mission-critical digital infrastructure.

Unlike traditional corporate environments where employees can feel like a number, the group fosters a people-centric culture built on close proximity, accessibility, and continuous professional growth. With a broad network of Business Units, employees benefit from a supportive management structure and extensive long-term career evolution opportunities.

The Role

The Senior IT Program Manager will take full operational and commercial responsibility for a high-profile European public sector program. Positioned at the intersection of complex technical delivery and executive stakeholder management, this role requires a dual focus on rigorous project execution, financial performance, and business development.

• Program Delivery: Direct and orchestrate large-scale IT programs encompassing up to 30 parallel projects.
• Team Leadership: Lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams of 50 to 120 staff through a structured management layer.
• Consortium Management: Drive operational alignment, governance, and performance across multi-partner consortia (acting as prime contractor or major partner).
• Financial Stewardship: Own full P&L accountability for program budgets up to €5M, managing margins, financial health, and contractual risk.
• Client & Contractual Leadership: Maintain a firm yet diplomatic posture with demanding clients, executing contracts strictly while negotiating scope amendments and protecting commercial interests.
• Pre-Sales & Account Growth: Support pre-sales activities, contribute to tender responses (RFPs), and drive organic extension within client accounts.

Profile Searched

• Seniority: High level of professional maturity (typically 40+ years old or equivalent senior track record).
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of IT project and program management experience, with at least 2 to 3 years managing highly complex, multi-faceted programs.
• Domain Expertise: Proven track record delivering IT projects within European Union (EU) Institutions or Public Sector bodies.
• Multi-Site & Consortium Setup: Demonstrated success in managing multi-site teams and leading multi-vendor consortia.
• Program Management (Must-Have): Expertise in governance, risk mitigation, and large-scale delivery frameworks.
• Financial Acumen: Strong command of margin control, budget oversight, and contract change impact analysis.
• Pre-Sales / Bidding (Nice-to-Have): Hands-on experience in tender responses, public procurement, and proposal writing.
• Languages:Fluent English (C1/C2 level) required for daily written documentation and executive client negotiations.
• Proximity Management: A collaborative, coaching-oriented leadership style focused on empowering teams rather than purely transactional management.
• Negotiation & Assertiveness: Ability to set clear boundaries with clients while maintaining a trusted, advisory relationship.

What We Offer

• Strategic Impact: Executive leadership on high-visibility programs shaping European defense, space, and digital sovereignty.
• Human-Centric Culture: An empowering work environment that prioritizes team proximity, human values, and individual recognition.
• Career Evolution: Direct pathways toward Operational Direction (D.O.) and senior executive leadership within a growing European group.
• Competitive Package: Attractive senior-level executive compensation package benchmarked to the Brussels/European market.
• Multicultural Scope: High-level exposure across European institutions, member states, and strategic consortium partners.