At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and evolve the Enterprise PMO to drive strategic decision-making and enhance portfolio value.
- Company: Join AQA, a leading independent education charity making a difference in learners' lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous pension contributions, 25 days leave, and more.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape an impactful PMO while influencing key organisational decisions and driving change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading Enterprise PMOs and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 69000 - 78500 € per year.
Head of Enterprise PMO 12 Month Fixed Term Contract Manchester £69,000 - £78,500 Hybrid working: Minimum two days in the office each week
Can you turn portfolio complexity into strategic clarity, and continue to build an Enterprise PMO that truly shapes organisational decisions? We are seeking an experienced and credible Head of Enterprise PMO on a 12-month fixed term contract to lead, evolve and embed a high impact, enterprise-wide PMO function that enables strategic decision-making, drives delivery confidence and strengthens portfolio value across the organisation.
This is a leadership role with two distinct but complementary areas of responsibility:
- Ownership and development of the Enterprise PMO, where most of the value will be created, refining the business planning and business case processes, generating insight across our strategy and portfolio delivery, and supporting an ambitious team on their growth journey.
- Leadership oversight of the Delivery PMO, a newly established but already high-performing, delivery-focused team.
The role will suit a leader who has taken established capabilities and continued to evolve, align and drive value (ideally within an Enterprise PMO), moving organisations beyond reporting and control into strategic enablement and insight.
Key responsibilities:
- Enterprise PMO (Primary Focus)
- You will be accountable for embedding and evolving an Enterprise PMO capability that provides portfolio insight, reports on our strategy, creates our business plans, and manages our investment decisions through business cases.
- Continuing to evolve the Enterprise PMO operating model, creating greater connection and cohesion between the individual capabilities, and to drive automation.
- Establishing portfolio frameworks that enable clear prioritisation, investment decisions and benefits realisation.
- Enhancing enterprise level portfolio insight, including capacity planning, dependency management, risk aggregation and scenario modelling.
- Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing objective insight and challenge on portfolio health, delivery confidence and strategic trade-offs.
- Driving consistency and maturity across change, project, programme and portfolio management practices.
This element of the role is highly strategic, requiring influence at executive level and the confidence to challenge where necessary.
- Delivery PMO (Leadership & Oversight)
- Providing leadership and direction to ensure ongoing effectiveness and alignment with enterprise standards.
- Ensuring integration between delivery-level reporting and enterprise-level portfolio insight.
- Supporting capability development, coaching and succession where appropriate.
- This is not a hands-on delivery management role; rather, it requires visible leadership, alignment and sponsorship.
What you will bring:
- We are specifically seeking candidates who can demonstrate tangible experience of building or maturing Enterprise PMO capability.
- Proven experience leading an Enterprise PMO or equivalent strategic portfolio function.
- Demonstrable track record of designing and embedding portfolio governance, prioritisation and investment frameworks.
- Experience of leading business planning and business case processes, or participating in them.
- Experience operating at executive level, influencing and challenging senior stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of portfolio, programme and change management maturity models.
- Experience working in complex, multi initiative environments with competing priorities.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build trust quickly.
What’s in it for you:
This role represents a rare opportunity to shape and lead an Enterprise PMO offering high visibility and influence across the organisation. By joining AQA, a leading independent education charity, you actually make a difference in the lives of millions of learners. There are lots of company benefits, including private medical insurance, a fantastic pension (up to 11.5% employer contributions), a 35 hour working week, 25 days annual leave with additional office closure in December and bank holidays on top, the opportunity to join lots of network groups (LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, disability, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic minority and more) an extensive online learning platform, days for volunteering and more.
Diversity and inclusion statement:
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation or background, is valued, respected and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
What next?
Please upload your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest and transferable skills. Closing date: 23:59 on Thursday 28th May 2026. You’ll complete a short application questionnaire, followed by a two stage interview process (Teams, then face to face). Interviews will take place during June with outcomes by the end of that month.
PMO - Financial Services - Data Management in Bolton employer: AQA
AQA is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape the Enterprise PMO within a leading independent education charity. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance and generous pension contributions, AQA fosters an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued. Located in Manchester, the role provides high visibility and influence across the organisation, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of learners.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO - Financial Services - Data Management in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial services sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a PMO role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its PMO structure, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Be ready to discuss how you've driven strategic clarity and evolved PMO capabilities in your past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, highlight your collaborative approach and how you've built trust with senior stakeholders. This is key for a role that requires influencing at the executive level.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team and making a difference in the lives of learners.
We think you need these skills to ace PMO - Financial Services - Data Management in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience with Enterprise PMOs and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with the job description, so don’t hold back!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven strategic decision-making and evolved PMO capabilities in your past roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for a collaborative leader who can build trust quickly. In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style and how you’ve successfully influenced senior stakeholders in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at AQA
✨Know Your PMO Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the Enterprise PMO role. Understand the key responsibilities and how they align with the company's strategic goals. Be ready to discuss your experience in building or maturing PMO capabilities and how you can bring value to their organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a collaborative leadership style, so be prepared to share examples of how you've built trust and led teams effectively. Think about times when you've influenced senior stakeholders and how you navigated complex environments with competing priorities.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the organisation's challenges. Ask about their current PMO processes, how they measure success, and what their vision is for the future of the Enterprise PMO.
✨Practice Your Executive Presence
Since this role involves influencing at the executive level, practice conveying confidence and clarity in your communication. Use mock interviews to refine your ability to articulate your insights on portfolio health and strategic trade-offs succinctly and persuasively.
