At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a high-impact PMO and drive successful project delivery.
- Company: Join Achilles, a global leader in sustainability and governance reporting.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, great benefits, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global sustainability while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in PMO functions and strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Location: Abingdon (Hybrid)
Reporting to: CTO
We're looking for an experienced PMO Lead to establish and lead a high-impact Project Management Office for our technology and product portfolio. This is a unique opportunity to build a PMO function from the ground up and become a key partner to senior leadership, providing the insight, governance, and reporting needed to drive successful delivery across a complex global portfolio.
What You'll Do
- Establish and operate a pragmatic PMO that provides a single source of truth across technology and product initiatives.
- Design and implement portfolio governance frameworks, reporting standards, controls, templates, and operating rhythms.
- Maintain an integrated portfolio view covering project scope, milestones, risks, dependencies, resources, budgets, and delivery performance.
- Provide delivery assurance through robust portfolio tracking, constructive challenge, and proactive risk identification.
- Develop and maintain resource demand, capacity, utilisation, and forecasting models across technology and product teams.
- Partner with the CTO, CPO, Finance and Project Managers to support prioritisation, planning, and investment decisions.
- Oversee portfolio-level financial tracking, including budgets, forecasts, variances, expenditure, and benefits realisation.
- Produce clear, concise and actionable reporting for executive leaders and Board stakeholders, enabling informed, evidence-based decision-making.
- Drive continuous improvement through process optimisation, automation, and improved portfolio data quality.
What You'll Bring
- Proven experience establishing, transforming, or significantly improving PMO or portfolio governance functions.
- Strong background overseeing portfolios of technology, product, transformation, software, or infrastructure projects.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive accountability without direct line management responsibility.
- Expertise in portfolio governance, project controls, resource planning, RAID management, dependency management, and change control.
- Experience managing portfolio financials, including budgets, forecasting, cost tracking, variance analysis, and benefits realisation.
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to turn complex delivery information into meaningful business insights.
- Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to senior executives and Board-level audiences.
- Experience working within matrixed, international, and cross-functional environments.
- Advanced skills in reporting and portfolio management tools in particular Azure DevOps, PowerBI, Power Automate. Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience. PRINCE2, MSP, SAFe, Agile, or related certifications would be advantageous.
Why Join Us?
Ready to build and lead a PMO that drives meaningful business impact? We'd love to hear from you.
Please apply if you'd like to work for a global company that is helping make the working world more sustainable, safer, cleaner and fairer, with great colleagues and a good pay and benefits package. We welcome applications from armed forces veterans, reservists and their families. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our practices and workforce.
For more than 30 years, Achilles has protected organisations' business interests and reputations by providing unrivalled levels of supply chain transparency, carbon reduction and management. We are the ESG and carbon management partner of choice for the world's leading global brands.
Achilles specialises in supporting customers that require truly robust environmental, social and governance reporting to fully comply with ESG regulation, meet investor requirements, and achieve their own ambitious sustainability goals. We work with market-leading financial, industrial, commercial, and governmental organisations requiring the serious, detailed analysis and expert insight necessary to deliver exceptional reporting confidence.
Operating from 22 locations worldwide, Achilles is at the forefront of the battle against climate change, a champion for social justice and human rights, and an expert in health, safety, and risk management.
The Achilles Way – how we do things
Be Curious – Ask questions, understand why, challenge and grow
Commit – Show passion, create value, deliver simple solutions, be a leader
Collaborate – Think inclusive, show respect, be helpful, give thanks
PMO Lead in Oxford employer: Achilles Information Limited
Achilles is an exceptional employer located in Abingdon, offering a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact Project Management Office within a global company dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Achilles fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages curiosity and continuous improvement, while providing competitive pay and benefits. Employees have the chance to grow professionally by partnering with senior leadership and contributing to meaningful projects that drive positive change in the world.
Contact Details:
Achilles Information Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Lead in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like PMO Lead at Achilles Information Limited!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Achilles Information Limited or be willing to refer you for that PMO Lead position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Achilles Information Limited who’s on the lookout for their next PMO Lead star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time PMO Lead role at Achilles Information Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Lead in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Achilles Information Limited. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Achilles Information Limited
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Achilles Information Limited. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
