Transformation Lead

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. 

This is a pivotal leadership role at a time of significant evolution for Sword. As the organisation continues to strengthen and scale its Data, Analytics, AI and Automation capabilities, the Transformation Lead will play a critical role in shaping, directing, and delivering large‑scale transformation programmes for our customers. 

The role is focused on delivery leadership and strategic consulting, with a strong pre-sales contribution but no direct sales ownership. The Transformation Lead will work with senior strategic client stakeholders to translate ambition into coherent, fundable, and executable transformation programmes, combining strategy, business architecture, change leadership, and deep technical understanding of data and AI‑enabled solutions. 

This role sits at the intersection of strategy, programme design, and delivery execution. You will be accountable for defining transformation direction, governing complex multi‑million‑pound programmes, and ensuring customers realise sustained, measurable value from data‑led and AI‑enabled change. 

Role Scope & Focus 

The Transformation Lead operates across three core dimensions: 

Transformation Leadership & Delivery (Primary Focus) 

·         Owning the design, direction, and assurance of complex transformation programmes from conception through to value realisation. 

Senior Business & Strategy Consulting 

·         Advising C‑suite and executive stakeholders on investment decisions, operating model change, and organisational readiness for AI‑enabled transformation. 

Presales & Opportunity Shaping (Supportive) 

·         Supporting account teams by shaping credible, outcomes‑driven transformation propositions and business cases—but without sales targets or quota ownership. 

Key Accountabilities 

1. Transformation Programme Design & Direction 

• Design end‑to‑end transformation programmes spanning strategy, data, AI, automation, operating model change, and adoption. 

• Define programme structures, governance models, funding approaches, roadmaps, and success measures. 

• Provide senior leadership across multi‑workstream, multi‑supplier, and multi‑year programmes. 

• Act as a trusted escalation point for complex delivery, organisational, and risk challenges. 

2. Senior Client Advisory & Strategy Consulting 

• Advise C‑suite, ExCo, and board‑level stakeholders on: 

• Transformation strategy and investment prioritisation 

• Business cases and value realisation models 

• Target operating models and business architecture 

• Organisational readiness, capability, and change 

• Translate complex technical concepts (Data, AI, Automation) into clear business implications, risks, and decisions. 

• Challenge client thinking constructively, balancing ambition with pragmatism and delivery realism. 

3. Delivery Oversight & Value Realisation 

• Provide assurance that transformation initiatives are aligned to strategic outcomes, not just technical delivery. 

• Ensure programmes deliver against agreed business cases, benefits frameworks, and KPIs. 

• Partner with technical and delivery leads to ensure solutions are designed for scalability, sustainability, and adoption. 

• Maintain clear oversight of risk, dependency, and change impact across programmes. 

4. Capability & Practice Leadership 

• Contribute to the evolution of Sword’s Data, AI and Automation transformation approach, methods, and accelerators. 

• Set standards for programme design, governance, and value‑led delivery. 

• Mentor and coach consultants, architects, and delivery leaders across transformation disciplines. 

• Support the development of repeatable, high‑quality transformation propositions. 

5. Presales & Proposition Shaping (Non‑Sales) 

• Support account and sales teams in shaping transformation opportunities during early engagement phases. 

• Lead or contribute to: 

• Discovery and diagnostic engagements 

• Transformation roadmaps and operating model designs 

• Business case and investment justification development 

• Provide credibility and assurance to customers during presales without owning revenue targets. 

Essential Experience 

• Proven experience designing and directing large‑scale, multi‑million‑pound transformation programmes. 

• Strong background in strategy and business consulting, including business case development and executive advisory. 

• Deep understanding of business architecture, operating model design, and business change. 

• Hands‑on experience leading or governing data‑ and AI‑led transformations, with sufficient technical depth to credibly challenge delivery approaches. 

• Demonstrated ability to operate confidently at C‑suite and board level. 

Technical & Transformation Credibility 

• Strong understanding of modern data platforms, analytics, AI/ML, GenAI, and automation ecosystems. 

• Experience bridging business strategy and technical delivery teams. 

• Awareness of governance, risk, ethics, and compliance considerations in AI‑enabled change. 

Leadership & Consulting Attributes 

• Gravitas and credibility with senior stakeholders. 

• Structured, analytical thinker with a value‑led mindset. 

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and environments of change. 

• Able to balance strategic vision with delivery pragmatism. 

• Collaborative leader who builds trust across multidisciplinary teams. 

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life.  In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: 

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. 
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.  We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. 
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. 

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.