At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the delivery of our iHub platform programme through effective project management and governance.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management or PMO roles, with strong data analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Here at DS Smith, we are looking for an experienced Project Manager / PMO Analyst on an initial 6 month FTC contract.
About the Role
We are looking for a highly organised and detail-oriented Project Manager / PMO Analyst to support the Applications & Services I&T function in delivering our iHub platform programme. This role is central to ensuring strong governance, effective programme coordination, and high-quality delivery across a complex portfolio of work. You will play a key role in maintaining programme structure and oversight—ensuring that governance processes are clearly documented and consistently followed, deliverables are signed off appropriately, and all supporting evidence is accurately recorded and stored. Alongside this, you will support resource and access management, helping to ensure that both internal teams and external suppliers are enabled to deliver effectively.
As a trusted PMO partner, you will monitor programme progress, track key risks and dependencies, and produce high-quality reporting for governance forums such as Programme Board and Steering Committee meetings. You will analyse data to identify insights, opportunities for optimisation, and areas requiring attention from senior stakeholders. This role requires someone who can confidently operate at both a strategic and operational level—someone who understands the “big picture” of programme delivery while maintaining a sharp focus on detail. You will be a strong multitasker with excellent communication skills, able to collaborate across project teams, suppliers, and senior leadership. You will also contribute to the continued development of the I&T delivery capability, supporting broader activities such as portfolio management and resource planning, and helping to embed consistent ways of working across the function.
Key Responsibilities
- Support programme governance by preparing reports and materials for key forums (Programme Board, Steering Committee, Supplier Board) and capturing meeting outcomes.
- Ensure governance standards, controls, and processes are consistently followed and maintained.
- Manage and maintain key programme controls, including RAID logs, change control, and delivery plans.
- Coordinate milestone sign-off and ensure all deliverables are properly documented with supporting evidence.
- Oversee resource onboarding, including supplier engagement, access, and equipment requirements.
- Support supplier management processes, including invoice approvals, SLA tracking, and compliance with contractual requirements.
- Produce clear and engaging internal programme communications.
- Collaborate with Project Managers and supplier leads to ensure consistency in reporting, documentation, and delivery approach.
- Support the preparation of senior stakeholder presentations and programme updates.
- Contribute to wider I&T Delivery activities, including portfolio and resource management.
About you
You will ensure the agreed project management methods, standards and processes are maintained throughout the projects lifecycle. Advise and assist project managers and team members in the application of project procedures, disciplines and recording and reporting standards and the use of Planview. Guide the Group IT Project Managers in the Framework and Project Management. Active role in the development of I&T Delivery and roadmap activities. Develop and implement appropriate procedures to ensure governance and standards are aligned. Co-ordinate the production of all reports and produce portfolio summary reports. Maintain portfolio risk and issue logs and change control records. Develop and support effective communication mechanisms in IT Delivery team. Maintains the portfolio documentation and minutes of project review board meetings. Monitors projects in the portfolio—milestone schedule commitments, resource commitments—and collects project information to update the portfolio. Distributes project portfolio information to executive management, directors, and other key personnel. Works with project managers to translate portfolio decisions to appropriate plans for and execution of the project.
Minimum requirements:
- Experienced Project Manager / PMO Analyst, ideally within IT programmes but this is not mandatory.
- Expert knowledge on data analysis – particularly using Power BI and ideally Planview (but this is also not mandatory).
- Experience of working across multiple projects and portfolios.
- Experienced creating Project Plans, Delivery Roadmaps, facilitating workshops to align stakeholders.
- Experience working in environments where Delivery and Project plans need to be shaped. Producing high quality artefacts to support plans that have been created.
About us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 60,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
“To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.”
IT PMO Analyst / Project Manager in London employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, we provide ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring that our team members are equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Join us in our mission to redefine packaging solutions while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and fosters meaningful contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT PMO Analyst / Project Manager in London
✨Get Involved in Tech Meetups
If you're looking for a temporary gig in IT consulting, tech meetups can be a goldmine. They’re perfect for meeting potential employers and showcasing your skills in person. Don't just show up—share your ideas and engage in discussions. That's how we can make ourselves memorable!
✨Leverage Your University’s Resources
University career services are often buzzing with opportunities tailored for temporary roles in IT consulting. Go to workshops, job fairs, and networking events. It's a chance to connect with employers who are eager to find fresh talent like us, so don’t let it slip away!
✨Show Your Skills with Micro-Projects
Create mini-projects or case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills or innovative solutions in IT. Sharing these on platforms like GitHub or personal blogs can showcase your abilities when connecting with potential employers or during interviews. Trust us, it makes a strong impression!
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you spot an opening at DS Smith that excites you, don’t miss out on applying through our website directly. You won't just stand out in a sea of applicants; you’ll show that you’re proactively interested in their work. Plus, it's always good to simplify the process as much as possible!
We think you need these skills to ace IT PMO Analyst / Project Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:In IT consulting, showcasing your technical skills is essential. Make sure your CV lists relevant programming languages, software tools, or methodologies you've worked with. If you've tackled specific projects or have certifications (like AWS or Cisco), bring those to the forefront. We're always keen to see how you can apply your skills to solve problems!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:For a temporary role at DS Smith, it's important to express your adaptability and eagerness to learn. In your cover letter, highlight how your past experiences have prepared you for quick integration into new teams and projects. A personal touch showing your excitement for the specific challenges at DS Smith can make all the difference!
List Relevant Projects:If you’ve worked on consulting projects or tech rollouts, don’t hesitate to mention them! Detail the challenges you faced, your contributions, and the outcomes. This practical experience showcases your ability to deliver value in a short time frame, which is key for a temporary role in IT consulting.
Keep It Concise and Impactful:Given the temporary nature of the role, our hiring team at DS Smith will appreciate a clear, concise application. Make your CV scannable with bullet points and emphasise your most relevant experiences. We want to see your capability at a glance, so aim for brevity without sacrificing detail!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
In IT consulting, you’ll often face complex issues that need quick solutions. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you tackled problems head-on, ideally using specific frameworks or tools. Think about how you can highlight your analytical thinking and decision-making process during the interview.
✨Brush Up on Relevant Technologies
Make sure you’re familiar with key technologies relevant to the role at DS Smith. This might include project management tools, CRM software, or any specific programming languages they use. Being able to speak confidently about these can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Your Adaptability
Being in a temporary role often means you need to hit the ground running. Prepare to showcase your ability to adapt to new environments and workflows. Maybe think of examples where you’ve quickly learned new systems or collaborated with diverse teams to achieve results in tight deadlines.
✨Pitch Your Consulting Mindset
Consulting is all about understanding client needs and delivering effective solutions. Present yourself as someone who can think strategically and provide actionable insights. Talk about how you plan to gather requirements and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders at DS Smith.
