At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the PMO function and ensure successful delivery of a major transformation programme.
- Company: Join the Metropolitan Police Service and make a difference in public service.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence significant organisational change.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transformational change in a complex and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven PMO leadership experience and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The Metropolitan Police Service is currently recruiting for an interim
PMO Lead to join a major business transformation programme for an initial contract until the end of March with a high chance of extension until late 2027.
The role is based in Holborn, Central
London and offers hybrid working
3 days on site required per week. The rate for this role will be £500 per day umbrella, however they will go higher for the right candidate.
You would play a key role in supporting the delivery of the
Met Business Services (MBS) Programme , which is establishing a new business services operating model and delivering transformational technology across Rostering, Finance, HR and Commercial functions, alongside a new outsourced transactional services contract.
This is a highly visible leadership opportunity within a complex programme environment, responsible for leading the PMO function and ensuring robust governance, programme controls, reporting, planning and assurance arrangements are in place to support successful delivery.
The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of programme governance, planning, risk management, benefits realisation and financial controls, while partnering with senior stakeholders, project managers and delivery partners to drive programme outcomes.
The Ideal Candidate
You will be an experienced PMO professional with a proven track record of leading PMO functions within large-scale transformation programmes.
You will be comfortable operating in a complex stakeholder environment, providing challenge, insight and assurance to programme leadership teams while maintaining a strong focus on delivery and governance excellence.
You will possess excellent organisational, analytical and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex programme information into meaningful insight for senior decision-makers.
Experience within the public sector or a similarly complex and regulated environment would be highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Lead the provision of governance and secretariat services to Programme Boards, ensuring effective decision-making, escalation and assurance processes.
- Develop and deliver high-quality programme reporting, dashboards and management information to support senior stakeholder decision-making.
- Oversee integrated programme planning activities, including portfolio schedules, critical milestones and programme roadmaps.
- Ensure robust programme controls and change management processes are implemented and consistently applied.
- Lead the management of programme Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies (RAID), ensuring mitigation actions are tracked and delivered.
- Coordinate the onboarding of programme and consortium resources to support effective deployment across workstreams.
- Lead the tracking, reporting and assurance of programme benefits, ensuring alignment with approved business cases.
- Act as custodian of programme information, ensuring effective document management, version control and accessibility of key artefacts.
- Provide assurance on the quality, completeness and readiness of programme deliverables.
- Embed lessons learned and continuous improvement practices throughout the programme lifecycle.
- Support financial management activities, including purchase order processing, receipting and budget monitoring.
- Partner with Project Managers, workstream leads and delivery teams to ensure consistency of standards and governance compliance.
- Lead and develop the PMO function, driving continuous improvement of methodologies, processes, tools and templates.
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience leading a PMO function within a programme, portfolio or transformation environment.
- Demonstrable experience supporting complex business and technology transformation programmes.
- Strong knowledge of programme governance, planning, risk management, dependency management and change control.
- Proven experience developing executive-level reporting, dashboards and programme insights.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Power Point and Microsoft Project.
- Recognised Project or Programme Management qualification such as PRINCE2, MSP, Agile or APM.
- Experience of benefits realisation, programme assurance and performance reporting.
- Strong financial management experience, including programme budgeting, forecasting and expenditure tracking.
- Experience managing third-party suppliers and contractors within a programme environment.
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Proven leadership capability with a collaborative, proactive and delivery-focused approach.
- Ability to operate effectively within a complex, fast-paced and evolving environment.
If you have the PMO leadership experience, programme governance expertise and stakeholder management capability required for this opportunity, apply now and we'll be in touch.
PMO Lead in City of London employer: Metropolitan Police
As a Service Manager at Met Business Services, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises inclusivity, diversity, and continuous improvement within its workforce. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, the company fosters a supportive culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in a dynamic public sector environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Lead in City of London
✨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 Metropolitan Police. 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 Metropolitan Police.
✨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 Metropolitan Police.
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Lead in City of London
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 Metropolitan Police 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 Metropolitan Police
✨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 Metropolitan Police 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 Metropolitan Police.
✨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 Metropolitan Police.
✨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 Metropolitan Police. 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.
