At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the successful delivery of client programmes and projects while ensuring alignment with expectations.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Dentsu, a leader in marketing and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, tailored benefits, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and innovation in a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving delivery excellence and supporting account growth.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in programme delivery with strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Delivery Portfolio Lead is responsible for overseeing the successful delivery and operational performance of a portfolio of client programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with client expectations, commercial objectives, and delivery commitments. The role provides strategic delivery leadership, governance, risk oversight, and delivery assurance while supporting account growth through delivery expertise and advisory support.
This role requires a highly experienced programme delivery professional from a consultancy or vendor background, capable of operating across both strategic oversight and operational delivery assurance.
- Portfolio Delivery Oversight
- Own the successful delivery of programmes and projects across a defined portfolio of client accounts.
- Ensure delivery outcomes are achieved in line with agreed timelines, scope, quality, and financial expectations.
- Provide oversight of programme execution through Programme Managers and Delivery Leads, ensuring appropriate delegation and accountability.
- Monitor programme health through defined indicators, reporting, and engagement with delivery teams.
- Provide clear, evidence-based assessments on whether delivery will succeed based on performance, risks, and dependencies.
- Intervene where required to resolve critical issues, unblock delivery, or reset direction.
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Build strong, trusted relationships with clients and internal stakeholders at all levels.
- Act as a senior escalation point for delivery-related issues and risks.
- Work in close partnership with Client Leadership to align delivery execution with client expectations.
- Provide confidence and transparency through clear communication on delivery status and outlook.
- Pipeline, Demand & Risk Management
- Proactively manage delivery pipeline, including demand forecasting, resource planning, and capacity management at account level.
- Identify and mitigate risks driven by client changes, resourcing challenges, or external factors.
- Balance proactive planning with reactive issue resolution in a fast‑paced environment.
- Ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place for risks impacting delivery outcomes.
- Commercial & Financial Management
- Oversee financial performance at the account level, including budget tracking, forecasting, cost management, and margin awareness.
- Work with Programme Managers to ensure financial discipline across delivery.
- Support Client Leadership in maintaining account profitability through informed delivery decisions.
- Delivery Excellence & Process Improvements
- Drive continuous improvement across delivery practices, governance, and ways of working.
- Ensure consistent application of delivery methodologies and standards.
- Identify opportunities to optimise efficiency, reduce cost, and improve delivery predictability.
- Promote best practices across delivery teams and programmes.
- Sales Support & Delivery Advisory
- Support sales and growth efforts as a delivery advisor, not an account owner.
- Validate feasibility, timelines, effort, capacity and budget for new and existing opportunities.
- Contribute to proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure deliverability.
- Attend client pitches where required, representing delivery and building confidence in capability.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 10 years' experience delivering complex programmes in consultancy, systems integrator, or agency environments.
- Strong programme management background with experience moving into portfolio oversight.
- Experience in marketing, digital, or technology delivery environments.
- Demonstrable experience in process improvement and cost management.
- Strong commercial acumen at account level.
- Experience leading delivery teams and managing programme managers.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience supporting pre‑sales and client growth initiatives in a delivery advisory capacity.
- Highly credible, confident communicator with strong executive presence.
- Pragmatic and outcome‑focused, with strong judgement.
- Proactive and forward‑looking, balanced with the ability to react quickly to issues.
- Resilient and calm under pressure.
- Able to build trust and credibility quickly across clients and internal teams.
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability for delivery outcomes.
Benefits
This is a permanent role. This is a hybrid working role with the expectation that you will be in 2 times a week. As well as a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.
Inclusion and Diversity
At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities.
Delivery Portfolio Lead 12 Month FTC employer: Dentsu
Dentsu is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, the company fosters a collaborative culture where innovative ideas thrive, ensuring that every team member's contributions are valued. Employees benefit from a competitive salary and a flexible benefits package tailored to individual needs, making Dentsu a rewarding place to advance your career in a dynamic environment.
