Contract | Reading / Hybrid | Defence Sector | Inside IR35
- Working Pattern: Hybrid – typically 3 days per week onsite
- IR35 Status: Inside IR35
- Clearance: SC Clearance required before start
- Nationality Requirement: Due to the nature of the defence programme, candidates must be sole UK nationals and eligible to obtain or hold SC clearance
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced IT Portfolio Manager to join an established IT Service Provider delivering digital and technology programmes for an end client in the defence sector. This role sits within the IT / Digital portfolio function and is focused on the active monitoring, control and optimisation of initiatives that have already been approved and are currently in execution.
The successful contractor will play a key role in ensuring that in‑flight projects and initiatives deliver expected value, remain aligned to strategic objectives, stay within budget and are governed effectively. Working closely with the IT Portfolio Senior Manager, you will help maintain full visibility of active initiatives across the portfolio and provide reporting, insight, risk tracking and governance support required to enable effective decision‑making at the leadership level.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor and manage approved IT initiatives that are already in execution. Maintain clear visibility of all in‑flight demand across the digital and IT portfolio.
- Track project progress, delivery status, budget position, benefits, risks, issues, dependencies and resource demand.
- Ensure active initiatives remain aligned to strategic objectives and portfolio priorities.
- Support portfolio governance processes, forums, reporting cycles and decision‑making.
- Work closely with the IT Portfolio Senior Manager to support the operational execution of portfolio strategy.
- Produce consolidated reporting across active projects and initiatives.
- Identify delivery risks, constraints, conflicts and emerging issues across the portfolio.
- Support data‑driven decision‑making by ensuring accurate and timely portfolio information is available.
- Monitor budget adherence and escalade financial risks or variances where required.
- Track resource utilisation, capacity constraints and demand conflicts across in‑flight work.
- Support the prioritisation and rebalancing of active initiatives where required.
- Ensure project and programme teams provide consistent, accurate and complete status updates.
- Challenge delivery information where needed to ensure portfolio reporting is reliable and meaningful.
- Support the preparation of leadership reporting, governance packs, dashboards and portfolio updates.
- Help ensure initiatives are effectively governed from approval through to delivery completion.
- Work with delivery teams, PMOs, finance, architecture, security and business stakeholders to maintain a joined‑up portfolio view.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of portfolio management processes, reporting standards and governance content.
Required Experience
We are looking for a strong IT Portfolio Manager, Portfolio Analyst, PMO Lead, Programme Controls Manager or Senior PMO professional with experience managing in‑flight technology demand in complex environments.
- Experience in IT portfolio management, digital portfolio management, PMO, programme controls or demand management roles.
- Monitoring and controlling active technology projects or programmes across complex digital, IT, infrastructure, application or transformation portfolios.
- Portfolio governance, reporting, risk tracking and benefits monitoring.
- Consolidating status updates across multiple initiatives and workstreams.
- Producing senior‑level reporting packs, dashboards and portfolio performance updates.
- Tracking budgets, resources, risks, dependencies and delivery milestones.
- Working with project managers, programme managers, delivery leads, finance teams and senior stakeholders.
- Supporting leadership teams with accurate, data‑led insight into portfolio performance.
- Identifying delivery risk and escalating issues in a structured, evidence‑based way.
- Operating in large enterprise, public sector, defence, aerospace or highly regulated environments.
Clearance Requirements
This role requires candidates to be SC cleared before start. Existing active SC clearance is highly desirable. Candidates who are eligible and suitable for SC clearance may still be considered, subject to the required security process.
Due to the nature of the defence programme and end‑client security requirements, candidates must be sole UK nationals.
Working Pattern
The role is based out of Reading and will operate on a hybrid basis. The usual expectation is to be onsite around 3 days per week, although this may vary depending on the specific team, portfolio requirements and delivery phase.
Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced IT Portfolio Manager or senior PMO professional to support a major digital and technology portfolio within the defence sector. You will play a key role in maintaining control, visibility and governance across active initiatives, helping senior leaders understand what is progressing well, where risks are emerging and where intervention may be required. If you are highly organised, commercially aware, confident working with senior stakeholders and experienced in managing in‑flight IT demand across complex environments, this role offers the chance to contribute to a high‑profile defence technology portfolio.
