At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate projects, ensuring effective governance and high-quality delivery.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving positive change in the industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong data analysis skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ 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.”
Project Manager employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our London-based team enjoys hybrid working arrangements, competitive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth within a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. Join us to be part of a diverse workforce committed to making a positive impact while developing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in project management and governance.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is crucial, especially when discussing complex project details with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a Project Manager or PMO Analyst. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills—demonstrate them! Include specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects, coordinated teams, or improved processes in your previous roles. We love seeing real-life applications of your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements and qualifications quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at DS Smith!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS Smith
✨Know Your Project Management Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the project management methods and standards mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in your previous roles, especially in IT programmes, as this will show your understanding of the governance processes they value.
✨Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills
Since expert knowledge in data analysis is a key requirement, prepare examples of how you've used tools like Power BI to derive insights from data. Bring along any reports or dashboards you've created to demonstrate your analytical capabilities during the interview.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Think about your experience in collaborating with various stakeholders. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've facilitated workshops or aligned teams on project goals. This will highlight your communication skills and ability to manage relationships effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Multitasking Ability
As a Project Manager, you'll need to juggle multiple projects. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully managed competing priorities in the past. Use concrete examples to illustrate your organisational skills and how you keep track of deliverables and deadlines.
