At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Macmillan's transformation portfolio to maximise impact for people living with cancer.
- Company: Join Macmillan Cancer Support, a leading charity dedicated to supporting those affected by cancer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a commitment to your professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and promotes fairness.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping the future of a major organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in portfolio management and governance, especially in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Hybrid - split between home and our London Office
Contract: Permanent
About the role
At Macmillan, we’re here to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. Delivering on that ambition requires clarity, discipline, and excellence in how we manage and deliver change at scale. We’re looking for a Head of Portfolio Delivery to lead our Portfolio Management Team and provide a single, coherent view of our transformation portfolio. This is a critical leadership role, ensuring strong governance, clear prioritisation, and robust delivery across all change initiatives—so we can maximise impact where it matters most. You’ll sit at the centre of our Strategy & Transformation Directorate, working closely with senior leaders to ensure our portfolio is aligned, transparent, and delivering meaningful outcomes.
What you’ll be doing
- You’ll lead and evolve Macmillan’s Portfolio of Programmes and Projects driving best practice and ensuring the effective delivery of our transformation portfolio.
- Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading and managing the team, ensuring robust portfolio governance, assurance, and reporting
- Maintaining a clear single source of truth for all change initiatives, budgets, and outcomes aligned to strategy
- Developing and actively managing portfolio-level plans, including dependencies, sequencing, and conflict resolution
- Overseeing assurance processes and ensuring compliance with project, programme, and portfolio frameworks
- Partnering with senior leaders to prioritise investment and optimise delivery of strategic outcomes
- Leading, coaching, and developing Programme and Project Managers, building a high-performing, inclusive team
- Driving continuous improvement in portfolio management tools, processes, and reporting
- Engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, building confidence in delivery and decision-making through our Executive Change Portfolio Panel.
As a senior leader at Macmillan, you’ll also role model our leadership commitments—creating an inclusive environment where people feel supported, empowered, and able to thrive.
Who we’re looking for
You’ll be an experienced portfolio leader, comfortable operating at senior level in a complex organisation, with the ability to balance strategic oversight and operational delivery. We’re particularly interested in candidates with:
- Significant experience in portfolio management and governance within complex environments - particularly if you have experience of leading multi-million pound transformations in a not for profit organisation.
- Strong expertise in programme and project methodologies (e.g. MSP, PRINCE2, Agile)
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including at Executive level
- Strong analytical capability, with the ability to translate data into actionable insight
- A track record of driving continuous improvement and delivery excellence
Who you’ll work with
You’ll operate at the heart of the organisation, working closely with:
- Director of Strategy & Transformation
- Programme and Project Managers
- Executive Team and senior stakeholders
- Strategy Integration and Change & Capability teams
- Finance, Planning, and Insight teams
What success looks like
In this role, you’ll:
- Deliver a streamlined, strategically aligned portfolio that drives measurable outcomes
- Provide transparent governance and reporting that enables confident decision-making
- Build and lead a high-performing team grounded in best practice
- Strengthen organisational confidence in portfolio delivery and prioritisation
This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape how a major organisation delivers change at scale. Your leadership will directly enable us to focus our efforts, resources, and investment where they make the greatest difference for people living with cancer.
Recruitment Process
First interview dates: TBC
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We are an organisation that is committed to setting candidates up for success, so we can support you to be at your best during the application or selection process, please contact Macmillan TA Team for advice, or a conversation on reasonable adjustments. We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
If you would like to discuss your application or anything further in regards to a career at Macmillan Cancer Support please email us at.
Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy in London employer: Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Clinical Fellows to make a meaningful impact in community oncology. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, staff are encouraged to innovate and influence national policy while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid role. Located in a supportive environment, employees benefit from comprehensive training and resources that empower them to enhance cancer care delivery outside of hospital settings.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy at Macmillan Cancer Support!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Macmillan Cancer Support or be willing to refer you for that Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Macmillan Cancer Support who’s on the lookout for their next Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy role at Macmillan Cancer Support!
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Delivery Leader – Transformation & Strategy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Macmillan Cancer Support. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macmillan Cancer Support
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Macmillan Cancer Support. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
