AAB is a tech-enabled business critical services group providing services that help businesses at every stage of their lifecycle, managing critical elements such as people and finances.
Our team is focused on people. We believe in the resilience of the human spirit, that with bravery, hard work, and perseverance, people can accomplish amazing things. We are passionate, bold, motivational, positive, empathetic, driven, and straight-talking.
The Role
We have an opening for a Programme Manager - Integrations to join our team.
Role Purpose
The Programme Manager oversees multiple interdependent projects within the ITO, ensuring alignment with the organisation's strategic roadmap.
This role involves managing programme governance, stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, and ensuring successful delivery of transformation and integration initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
* Define and manage programme scope, objectives, and deliverables aligned with business strategy.
* Lead cross-functional teams to drive transformation and integration initiatives.
* Oversee project interdependencies and provide strategic direction to stakeholders and project managers.
* Develop and maintain governance structures, reporting mechanisms, and risk management plans.
* Engage with senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business priorities and resolving escalation points.
* Ensure resource allocation, budget tracking, and adherence to financial controls.
* Manage programme communications, including reports to the integration & Transformation Steering Committee and Group Executive Team.
* Drive continuous improvement and adoption of best practices within the ITO.
M&A Integration Expertise
* End-to-End M&A Integration Knowledge: Experience in managing post-merger integrations, including people, processes, technology, and culture.
* Due Diligence Understanding: Awareness of the due diligence process and how integration decisions are shaped by pre-acquisition findings.
* Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Awareness: Understanding of Irish and EU regulations, employment law, and financial reporting standards in M&A contexts.
Strategic & Financial Acumen
* Synergy Realisation: Ability to identify, track, and drive synergy targets (e.g., cost reductions, revenue growth, operational efficiencies).
* Financial Acumen: Understanding of balance sheets, P&L impact, cost structures, and financial modelling related to integrations.
* Stakeholder Value Focus: Ensures that integration efforts align with shareholder, board, and executive expectations.
Change & Cultural Integration Leadership
* Cultural Harmonisation: Strong skills in assessing and bridging cultural differences between merging organisations.
* Employee Engagement & Retention: Experience in talent mapping, workforce restructuring, and retaining key personnel post-merger.
* Leadership Alignment: Aligning leadership teams, addressing power dynamics, and ensuring executive sponsorship.
Operational & Technology Integration
* Process Standardisation & Harmonisation: Merging or optimising business processes across different functions (HR, Finance, IT, Operations).
* Technology & Systems Integration: Overseeing ERP, CRM, HR systems, and other key IT integrations, ensuring seamless data migration.
* Supply Chain & Vendor Management: Managing supplier and vendor contract transitions, ensuring business continuity.
Strong Stakeholder & Communications Management
* Investor & Board-Level Communication: Ability to present clear integration progress updates to C-suite and investors.
* Regulator & External Relations Management: Navigating regulatory approvals, liaising with competition authorities if required.
* Internal Communication Strategy: Driving transparent messaging to employees to minimise uncertainty and resistance.
High-Pressure, Fast-Paced Decision-Making
* Crisis Management & Issue Resolution: Experience in managing unexpected risks, such as revenue declines, talent attrition, or operational disruptions.
* Decision-Making Under Ambiguity: Ability to navigate unclear situations and make strategic decisions with incomplete information.
* Scenario Planning & Risk Mitigation: Preparing contingency plans for integration setbacks (e.g., system failures, legal disputes).
Key Skills & Experience
* Extensive experience in programme management within a complex business environment - preferably within a transformation or integration environment.
* Strong leadership and senior (C-suite) stakeholder management skills.
* Proven track record of managing complex, multi-project programmes.
* Knowledge of governance frameworks and change management methodologies.
* Financial and resource management experience.
* Excellent problem-solving skills, negotiation, and communication skills.
* Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Teams, and project management tools.