At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic governance and oversee tech project delivery in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Halfords, a forward-thinking company shaping the future of motoring and cycling.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with a focus on innovation and practical solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a transformative role that bridges technology and business.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior roles within large organisations and strong governance skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
About Us
Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for cocreators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving. Technology at Halfords is at a turning point. We’re modernising our foundations, sharpening our delivery, and ensuring every technology decision is connected to real commercial and customer outcomes. We're looking for people who act as trusted advisors to the business, take end‑to‑end accountability for outcomes, and can balance pace with long‑term architectural integrity. Innovation here means practical, scalable solutions, not ideas that stay on whiteboards. Halfords operates a hybrid working policy – this position will be based 3 days per week at our support centre in Redditch, West Midlands.
About The Role
As PMO Practice Lead within our Technology Portfolio and Programme Management function, you'll bring strategic structure to a complex, fast‑moving transformation environment. This is a senior, highly visible role spanning portfolio governance, programme oversight, and financial management, with two direct PMO reports and matrix management of 6 Project Managers. You'll be the critical connection between technology delivery and the Transformation Office, consolidating reporting, aligning the tech laydown of work, and giving the Executive a clear, transparent view of progress and positioning. The role blends strategic oversight with elements of hands‑on delivery; you'll need the stature to lead from the front and the tenacity to get stuck in when needed. You'll own benefit realisation coordination, drive a consolidated view of Capex and Opex spend across the full tech project portfolio, and cut through the complexity of multi-year programmes spanning Retail, Garages, and Fleet. If you've operated at a senior level in a large matrix organisation, and you know how to make governance add value rather than noise, this could be the role for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the portfolio governance framework across portfolio, programme, and project environments, ensuring governance is pragmatic, value‑adding, and consistently applied across all business areas.
- Be the bridge between technology delivery and the Transformation Office, aligning the tech laydown of work, coordinating dependency management, and ensuring the right things are visible at the right level.
- Consolidate and own executive reporting across the full tech portfolio, producing a clear, pertinent overarching report that gives the exec an accurate picture of status, risk, and progress without the noise.
- Drive a consolidated view of capex and opex spend across the full tech project portfolio, working with Finance and Procurement to maintain a single, accurate picture of total investment on a monthly basis.
- Coordinate benefits realisation activity, ensuring delivery is clearly linked to commercial outcomes and that enablement is tracked, owned, and connected to the P.
PMO Practice Lead employer: Halfords
At Halfords, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that values co-creation and meaningful contributions from our team members. Our hybrid working policy allows for flexibility while being based in the vibrant support centre in Redditch, West Midlands, where you can thrive in a culture that encourages ownership and strategic thinking. With ample opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to modernising our technology landscape, joining us as a PMO Practice Lead means becoming part of a dynamic environment where your expertise will directly influence the future of motoring and cycling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Practice Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that PMO Practice Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Halfords and understanding their tech transformation journey. We want to see you connect your experience with their goals, showing how you can be the bridge between tech delivery and the Transformation Office.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past roles, highlight how you’ve led teams and driven governance frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership and make a real impact, so let that shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our journey at Halfords.
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Practice Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and the company shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about shaping the future of motoring and cycling with us!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the PMO Practice Lead role. Highlight your experience in portfolio governance and programme oversight, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on delivery experience that aligns with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on how your skills can add value to our transformation journey.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our evolving team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Before your interview, take some time to really grasp Halfords' mission and how they’re evolving in the tech space. Familiarise yourself with their journey towards modernising technology and how that aligns with your experience in strategic oversight and governance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a PMO Practice Lead, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead from the front. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in complex environments, highlighting your hands-on approach and how you’ve driven value through governance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to balance pace with long-term goals, and be ready to discuss how you navigated challenges while ensuring alignment with business outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing Capex and Opex spend, be prepared to discuss your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you’ve consolidated financial reporting and ensured transparency in investment decisions, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
