Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire in Stevenage
Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire

Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire in Stevenage

Stevenage Full-Time No home office possible
Morgan Philips Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and improve the PMO for successful project delivery and governance.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and team development.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact by shaping project delivery at a strategic level.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in PMO leadership and governance frameworks.

A senior leadership role within the Strategic Projects and Management Office. The postholder is accountable for establishing, leading, and continuously improving the way the change portfolio is delivered. The role ensures that robust governance, delivery frameworks, quality standards, and assurance processes are in place to enable successful delivery of projects and programmes. The role influences organisational delivery capability, providing the delivery framework, and expert support to project and programme managers. Driving consistency, transparency, and control across the change portfolio while enabling teams to deliver effectively is a key requirement. This position requires a commercially minded, proactive, and experienced technology professional. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing complex portfolios and be confident engaging with C Suite stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

  • PMO Strategy & Leadership
  • Operate PMO function as a centre of excellence for change governance, standards, and best practice.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop PMO teams, fostering a high-performance and service-oriented culture.
  • Act as a senior advisor to leadership on delivery capability, governance, and performance.
  • Governance and Control:
    • Design, implement, and maintain a scalable governance framework across projects and programmes.
    • Define and enforce stage gates, approvals, and assurance processes.
    • Ensure compliance with organisational policies, audit requirements, and regulatory obligations.
    • Provide independent oversight and challenge to delivery teams to ensure adherence to standards.
  • Frameworks, Standards, and Methodologies:
    • Establish and maintain delivery frameworks (e.g., waterfall, Agile, hybrid) aligned to organisational needs.
    • Define standard artefacts, templates, tools, and lifecycle processes.
    • Ensure frameworks are pragmatic, scalable, and support delivery rather than hinder it.
    • Drive adoption and consistent use of standards across all initiatives.
  • Quality Assurance and Delivery Oversight:
    • Define and implement quality control processes across all projects and programmes.
    • Conduct health checks, audits, and assurance reviews to assess delivery confidence.
    • Ensure accurate, timely, and consistent reporting of delivery performance, risks, and issues.
    • Escalate systemic risks and delivery concerns to senior leadership with clear recommendations.
  • Continuous Improvement and Capability Development:
    • Drive continuous improvement of PMO processes, tools, and governance practices.
    • Benchmark organisational maturity (e.g., P3M3) and implement improvement roadmaps.
    • Establish lessons learned processes and embed knowledge sharing across teams.
    • Lead communities of practice for project and programme management.
  • Support to Project and Programme Managers:
    • Provide guidance, coaching, and support to project and programme managers.
    • Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and delivery expectations.
    • Enable effective planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement practices.
    • Support resolution of cross-project dependencies and resource challenges.
    • Establish portfolio-level reporting standards and dashboards.
    • Provide consolidated insights on delivery performance, trends, and risks.

    Key Skills & Experience:

    • Leads the establishment and operation of PMO functions - across Portfolio.
    • Defines governance frameworks, standards, and processes.
    • Influences organisational adoption of consistent delivery practices.
    • Provides guidance and assurance across projects and programmes.
    • Significant experience operating within a PMO at enterprise level.
    • Proven experience designing and implementing governance frameworks.
    • Strong track record in delivery assurance, quality control, and reporting.
    • Experience supporting and enabling project and programme managers.

    Desirable Qualifications:

    • Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline (e.g., IT, Business, Management, Engineering) or equivalent professional experience.
    • Relevant professional certifications such as APM, PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, AgilePM, SAFe.
    • Experience with Agile delivery frameworks (e.g., SAFe, Scrum at scale).
    • Familiarity with portfolio and PMO tooling (e.g., Clarity, Planview, ServiceNow, Jira Align).

    Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire in Stevenage employer: Morgan Philips Group

    At Morgan Philips Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our Hertfordshire office provides a hybrid working environment, allowing for flexibility while engaging in meaningful projects that drive organisational change. We are committed to employee growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development and mentorship, ensuring that our team members thrive in their careers.
    Morgan Philips Group

    Contact Detail:

    Morgan Philips Group Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire in Stevenage

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Portfolio PMO. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've driven successful project delivery in the past.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire in Stevenage

    PMO Strategy & Leadership
    Governance Framework Design
    Delivery Frameworks (Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid)
    Quality Control Processes
    Delivery Assurance
    Stakeholder Engagement
    Project Management Methodologies (APM, PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, AgilePM, SAFe)
    Portfolio Management Tools (Clarity, Planview, ServiceNow, Jira Align)
    Coaching and Mentoring
    Risk Management
    Performance Reporting
    Continuous Improvement
    Change Management
    Cross-Project Dependency Resolution

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Portfolio PMO. Highlight your experience in managing complex portfolios and engaging with C Suite stakeholders. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this senior leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've led PMO functions and improved delivery frameworks in the past.

    Showcase Your Governance Experience: Since governance is key in this role, make sure to detail your experience in designing and implementing governance frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can ensure compliance and quality control across projects.

    Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan Philips Group

    ✨Know Your PMO Inside Out

    Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the PMO function and its role as a centre of excellence. Familiarise yourself with governance frameworks, delivery methodologies, and quality assurance processes that are relevant to the position.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading and mentoring PMO teams. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a high-performance culture and influenced organisational delivery capability, especially when engaging with senior stakeholders.

    ✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking

    Think about how you would design and implement scalable governance frameworks. Be ready to present your ideas on ensuring compliance with organisational policies and how you would provide independent oversight to delivery teams.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

    Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to drive continuous improvement. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully implemented changes or resolved cross-project dependencies, highlighting your strategic approach and results.

    Head of Portfolio PMO - Hertfordshire in Stevenage
    Morgan Philips Group
    Location: Stevenage

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