Head of PMO in East Kilbride

On behalf of FCDO, we are looking for a Head of PMO (Inside IR35) for a 12 month contract. This is a hybrid working role (up to two days per week office based - East Kilbride). The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

Job Purpose: Joining Rosa Service as Head of PMO you will be responsible for leading a collection of projects that contribute to the delivery of the Rosa Service objectives and will define and maintain the standards for project management within the Rosa Service Organisation. SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be eligible and willing to undergo these checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the PMO team and Delivery managers to implement the change programme.
• In collaboration with senior leaders including Product Managers, Architects, Technical Leads, commercial and finance, you will support programme governance to ensure effective management and value for money.
• Deliver precise reports to ensure that the RSO service director and Rosa oversight governance remain well-informed.
• Responsible for the prioritisation and effective allocation of resources across the portfolio to ensure effective governance, and supporting high-quality program delivery across a diverse and complex change portfolio.
• Proven experience in leading programme or portfolio management in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Deep understanding of governance frameworks, delivery assurance, and public sector programme lifecycles.
• Confident in engaging, facilitating and negotiating with senior individuals, building strong relationships and effective processes to advance shared objectives to meet tight and fast-moving deadlines.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills — able to influence at senior management and executive level with clear reporting on progress.
• Strategic mindset with a passion for IT service delivery outcomes.
• Have an in-depth knowledge of Agile and other methodologies.
• Expert project management reporting, preferably with experience on Atlassian project tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Experience of working in an IT Service Environment.
• Understanding of working across Government and public service.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident: As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, FCDO guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant / Commitment: FCDO guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.