Lisa Sandham

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT LISA SANDHAM

The relationships I hold as a Programme Manager are central to successful delivery. With a positive, enthusiastic and can-do attitude, my ability to engage with all colleagues, enables me to blend exec credibility with operational relatability. From day one, I am passionate about building honest and trusted relationships from stakeholders to end users. Whether it’s bringing order and structure quickly to messy or failing portfolios, building programmes from scratch, or digging through ambiguity, I can be trusted to take the initiative. I’m naturally inquisitive and action-oriented so will operate with minimum direction, taking steer from senior stakeholders when needed. With pragmatism and versatility, my approach is to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in, asking questions other won’t. I understand that the right approach and governance framework needs to blend with both the organisation and type of programme being delivered. I pay close attention to what is already working well and what needs to change. I’d rather co-create a methodology and structure with the organisation, that everyone buys into, rather than hide behind textbook methodology. I’m aware just how much politics and power play can impact outcomes or hinder progress, so I endeavour to control and minimise this influence as best I can, through strong stakeholder management. My communication style is more transparent than most, which is often a welcome change for stakeholders and end users alike. I also favour simplicity over corporate buzz words to avoid ambiguity in understanding. A strong team spirit is integral to my approach when building or enhancing a programme team. I’m an approachable, fair leader who takes the time to recognise, reward and communicate achievements, whilst encouraging others to do the same. I strive to build ‘one team’ whether co-located or globally spread, and which includes third parties where possible, to nurture greater honesty and transparency, motivating the team to deliver together. Whilst running the programme, I share and embed best practice and encourage the team and/or end client to take incremental ownership, to ensure handover becomes a formality rather than an onerous exercise. I pride myself on being resilient. For me that isn’t just enduring pressure, it’s asking the right questions, to shift an initiative from uncertainty into a clear vision everyone can work towards together.