Portfolio Manager in Slough

Portfolio Manager in Slough

Slough Temporary 100000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ceto Talent

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead digital railway transformation projects and oversee ETCS onboard fitment.
  • Company: Join a major player in the UK rail industry focused on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, contract role, and impactful work in a national programme.
  • Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of digital train control technology and make a real difference.
  • Qualifications: Experience in digital railway technology and strong project management skills.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.

CETO Talent is currently recruiting for an experienced Lead Portfolio Manager to support a major digital railway transformation programme within the UK rail industry. This is an exciting opportunity to join a national portfolio environment supporting the delivery of the Passenger ETCS Deployment Programme, helping to shape the future of digital train control technology across the UK rail network.

The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing and overseeing the delivery of projects required to implement ETCS onboard fitment across the passenger train fleet. You will support the implementation of the agreed strategy, ensuring alignment between fleet requirements, operator readiness, deployment milestones and governance approvals.

Role Details:

  • Position: Lead Portfolio Manager
  • Contract Length: 12 months
  • Location: London Kings Cross (3 days per week onsite)
  • Rate: £527 per day (Umbrella)
  • IR35 Status: Inside IR35
  • Clearance: BPSS required

About the Role:

Working within a national portfolio environment, you will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing delivery activity across a complex, multi-stakeholder programme. Key responsibilities will include:

  • Establishing and managing projects required to support ETCS onboard fitment across passenger rolling stock
  • Supporting the delivery of the national passenger fleet digital railway strategy
  • Ensuring alignment between fleet strategy, deployment plans and operational readiness
  • Working with industry partners, operators, engineering teams and programme stakeholders
  • Supporting governance processes, approvals and delivery milestones
  • Providing portfolio-level oversight across multiple projects and workstreams
  • Managing risks, dependencies and key programme interfaces

Essential Experience:

The successful candidate will have:

  • Proven experience delivering onboard ETCS / digital railway technology programmes
  • Experience working on rolling stock modification or upgrade programmes
  • Strong project engineering experience within a complex delivery environment
  • Experience managing complex portfolios, projects or workstreams
  • Ability to operate effectively across multiple stakeholders within the rail industry

Desirable Experience:

Experience working across UK rail infrastructure or rolling stock programmes, knowledge of ETCS deployment and digital railway transformation, and experience working within highly regulated and safety-critical environments.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Lead Portfolio Manager to play a key role in one of the UK rail industry’s most significant digital transformation programmes. If you have the relevant experience and are interested in this opportunity, please apply today or contact the CETO Talent team for further information.

Portfolio Manager in Slough employer: Ceto Talent

Ceto Talent is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your expertise in water infrastructure projects will be valued and nurtured. Located near Chelmsford, Essex, we provide competitive pay, a company vehicle, and a strong commitment to employee growth through ongoing training and development opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the water sector while enjoying a supportive culture that prioritises safety and compliance.

Ceto Talent

Contact Details:

Ceto Talent Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Portfolio Manager in Slough

Tap into Consulting Networks

Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Ceto Talent. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!

Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time

As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!

Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards

Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Ceto Talent.

Leverage University and Alumni Resources

If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Ceto Talent.

We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Manager in Slough

Portfolio Management
Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Digital Railway Technology
ETCS Deployment
Rolling Stock Modification
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!

Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.

Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Ceto Talent and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.

Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Ceto Talent

Prepare for Case Studies

In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Ceto Talent will want to see.

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Ceto Talent.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Ceto Talent.

Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit

Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Ceto Talent. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.