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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve the PMO for a major port transformation programme.
- Company: ABP, a key player in infrastructure development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, private healthcare, and discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with ongoing training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a £300m–£600m+ transformative project.
- Qualifications: Experience in PMO or project controls for major infrastructure programmes.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The PMO Manager is responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously improving the Programme Management Office for the Future Port Talbot (FPT) Programme, one of ABP’s most strategically important multi‑year infrastructure programmes. The FPT Programme is a major, complex, multi‑disciplinary port transformation initiative with extensive engineering, operational, commercial, property and stakeholder dimensions. It will involve multiple interdependent projects, delivered through internal teams and consultant partners, with combined investment values expected in the £300m–£600m+ range.
Accountabilities
- Design, establish, and lead the PMO structure tailored for the FPT Programme.
- Develop PMO strategy, operating model, maturity roadmap, and programme performance KPIs.
- Implement and maintain the FPT governance framework, including Review meetings, Stage Gates, Steering Groups and decision‑making protocols.
- Maintain a robust suite of programme logs including decisions, assumptions, dependencies, risks and lessons learned.
- Oversee development and maintenance of the Integrated Schedule (IS) for the FPT Programme.
- Integrate schedules produced by consultant planners and internal teams, ensuring alignment with ABP standards such as coding structure, calendars, progress measurement and forecasting rules.
- Facilitate Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) for cost and schedule where required.
- Provide clear insights, delivery confidence assessments and strategic recommendations to support decision‑making.
- Manage digital tools including P6, MS Project, PowerBI, risk tools and collaboration platforms.
- Support preparation of business cases, investment papers and approvals.
About you
You will ensure programme governance, controls, reporting, and assurance frameworks are consistently applied across all FPT workstreams to support ABP’s missions of Keeping Britain Trading and Enabling the Energy Transition. You have the ability to cope with uncertainty, conflict and change. You are flexible, persistent and have well‑developed creative problem‑solving skills. You will be able to work independently with a strong bias to getting things done. Understand the true value to the business of meeting objectives and timely delivery. You will possess a firm belief in the values of customer service and ABP’s core values of openness and honesty, teamwork and respect, along with the ambition to make a difference and exceed expectations.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Significant experience leading PMO or project controls on major infrastructure programmes.
- Deep knowledge of planning, scheduling, risk, cost, governance and reporting.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Proficiency with MS Office, MS Project, Primavera P6, PowerBI and CDE systems.
- High energy, proactive and hands‑on leadership style.
Desirable
- Experience on large capital programmes (£20m–£800m+).
- APM, PMI, MSP, IPA or equivalent professional qualifications.
- Experience establishing PMO structures in early‑stage programme environments.
Benefits
We offer a competitive salary, contributory pension from day one (starting at 3% employee contribution with 5% company match), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, wide range of discounts and cash back with high street and online retailers. We offer an inclusive work environment with an in‑house training academy which offers ongoing opportunities to develop your skills.
PMO Manager - Major Projects in Cardiff employer: Associated British Ports
Contact Detail:
Associated British Ports Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Manager - Major Projects in Cardiff
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that PMO Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with PMO structures and project controls. We want to see how your skills align with their needs, so come prepared with examples of how you've successfully led major infrastructure programmes.
✨Ask Smart Questions
During interviews, don’t just wait for them to ask you questions. Show your interest by asking insightful questions about the FPT Programme and its challenges. This will demonstrate your understanding of the role and your enthusiasm for contributing to ABP’s mission.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at ABP!
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Manager - Major Projects in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the PMO Manager role. Highlight your experience with major infrastructure programmes and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our Future Port Talbot Programme!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in PMO or project controls, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for the position and our mission at ABP.
Showcase Your Skills: Be sure to highlight your proficiency with tools like MS Project, Primavera P6, and PowerBI. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you've used these tools in previous roles to manage complex projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Associated British Ports
✨Know Your PMO Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the PMO structure and its significance in major infrastructure programmes. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and opportunities related to the Future Port Talbot Programme, as this will show your genuine interest and preparedness.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Think of situations where you successfully navigated conflicts or uncertainties, as these experiences will demonstrate your ability to manage relationships effectively in a complex environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Proficiency
Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like MS Project, Primavera P6, and PowerBI. You might be asked to explain how you've used these tools in past projects, so having specific examples at hand will help you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Approach
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to convey your creative problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous projects, particularly in terms of risk management and governance frameworks, to illustrate your proactive and hands-on leadership style.