At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead portfolio governance and optimise Planview adoption for impactful change initiatives.
- Company: Join a high-profile organisation driving transformation in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for significant career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in portfolio management while working with senior stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in portfolio management and expertise in Planview required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Portfolio Manager with extensive Planview expertise to join a high-profile change and transformation function on an Inside IR35 day-rate contract basis. This role will provide leadership across portfolio governance, planning, prioritisation, financial oversight and executive reporting while acting as the organisation's lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Planview Portfolio Management platform. The successful contractor will be expected to quickly establish credibility with senior stakeholders, enhance portfolio management capability, optimise Planview adoption and provide robust portfolio insight to support strategic decision-making. This is a hands-on delivery role requiring a proven Portfolio Manager who can operate effectively across complex change environments from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide governance and oversight across a complex portfolio of business and technology change initiatives.
- Lead portfolio planning, prioritisation and investment governance processes.
- Ensure delivery demand is aligned with organisational capacity and strategic objectives.
- Monitor portfolio performance across scope, schedule, budget, risks, dependencies and benefits.
- Produce meaningful portfolio insights and recommendations for senior leadership and governance forums.
- Identify, manage and elevate portfolio-level risks, issues and delivery conflicts.
- Support portfolio forecasting, scenario planning and strategic decision-making.
- Drive consistency in portfolio management standards, controls and reporting practices.
- Partner with Finance teams to maintain portfolio budget visibility and forecast accuracy.
Planview SME & Tooling Ownership
- Act as the organisation's lead Planview SME and Product Owner.
- Drive optimisation, enhancement and adoption of the Planview platform.
- Define and maintain portfolio management standards and governance processes within Planview.
- Improve portfolio visibility through dashboards, reporting and management information.
- Support financial management, resource planning, capacity management and portfolio governance through Planview.
- Ensure portfolio data quality, integrity and reporting accuracy.
- Work with internal technology teams and external suppliers to deliver tooling improvements and enhancements.
- Provide coaching and guidance to PMO, Project Managers and Portfolio stakeholders on Planview best practice.
Stakeholder Management
- Build effective relationships across Change, Technology, Finance and Business functions.
- Engage and influence senior stakeholders up to Executive and Director level.
- Facilitate governance forums and portfolio review meetings.
- Support the ongoing development of portfolio management and PMO maturity across the organisation.
Key Deliverables
- Enhanced portfolio governance and reporting capability.
- Improved portfolio visibility and executive-level MI.
- Optimised utilisation and adoption of Planview.
- Improved resource and capacity planning processes.
- Increased accuracy of portfolio financial reporting and forecasting.
- Standardised portfolio management processes and controls.
- Actionable portfolio insights supporting executive decision-making.
Essential Experience
- Extensive experience operating as a Portfolio Manager within enterprise-scale change and transformation environments.
- Significant hands-on experience with Planview Portfolio Management.
- Proven experience acting as a Planview Product Owner, Functional Lead or SME.
- Strong background in portfolio governance, prioritisation and investment management.
- Experience managing complex portfolios comprising multiple programmes and projects.
- Demonstrable expertise in portfolio financial management, forecasting and reporting.
- Experience producing executive-level reporting and governance materials.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Experience driving PMO and portfolio management maturity improvements.
- Proven ability to operate independently and deliver value quickly within a contract engagement.
Essential Skills
- Planview (Expert)
- Portfolio Governance
- Portfolio Reporting & Executive MI
- Resource & Capacity Planning
- Financial Forecasting & Portfolio Controls
- RAID Management
- Demand Management
- Portfolio Prioritisation
- Benefits Tracking & Realisation
- Stakeholder Management
Portfolio Manager employer: GerrardWhite
Join a dynamic and innovative team in Manchester as a Portfolio Manager, where you will play a pivotal role in leading change and transformation initiatives. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that values professional growth, offering competitive day rates and the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders across various functions. With a strong focus on optimising Planview adoption and enhancing portfolio management capabilities, this role provides a unique chance to make a significant impact while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Manager
✨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 GerrardWhite. 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 GerrardWhite.
✨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 GerrardWhite.
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Manager
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 GerrardWhite 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 GerrardWhite
✨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 GerrardWhite 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 GerrardWhite.
✨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 GerrardWhite.
✨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 GerrardWhite. 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.
