At a Glance
- Tasks: Support governance and reporting for exciting projects in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and enjoy a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring project success and effective delivery.
- Qualifications: Analytical skills and a passion for governance in project management.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Fixed Term Contract role, up to 15 months. The Portfolio Office provides integrated oversight, governance, assurance, reporting and insight across NPL’s programme and projects portfolio. As a strategic Centre of Excellence, it supports consistent, proportionate and effective delivery of programmes and projects across the organisation.
We are seeking a Portfolio Office Analyst to provide high-quality analytical, governance and reporting support across the portfolio. Operating within a Hub-and-Spoke model, the role may sit centrally within the Portfolio Office or be embedded within a major programme, project or department to provide hands‑on governance and delivery support. This role is critical to ensuring governance cycles run smoothly, data and reporting are accurate and timely, and delivery teams are well supported in applying NPL’s project and programme management standards.
Key responsibilities- Governance & Assurance
- Deliver assurance activity including health checks, start‑up reviews and stage gates.
- Prepare high‑quality governance packs, evidence and reporting outputs for boards and committees.
- Ensure governance cycles run to time, quality and agreed standards.
- Support capture and embedding of lessons learned.
- Reporting & Insight
- Prepare portfolio, programme and project reporting packs and dashboards.
- Ensure reporting is accurate, consistent and aligned with governance requirements.
- Provide analysis to support decision‑making at project, programme and portfolio level.
- Risk, Dependency & Financial Inputs
- Monitor risks, issues and dependencies arising through governance activity.
- Ensure RAID information is complete, consistent and clearly presented.
- Support financial planning and tracking activities, including budget and forecast inputs, when embedded within programmes.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Support
- Act as a first point of contact for delivery teams on governance processes, templates and standards.
- Communicate requirements clearly and pragmatically to stakeholders.
- Liaise with Finance, Transformation, Partnerships and other functions to align governance information.
- Portfolio Planning & Continuous Improvement
- Provide data and evidence to support prioritisation, sequencing and planning discussions.
- Capture feedback from governance and reporting cycles to identify improvements.
- Share good practice and learning across the Portfolio Office and delivery community.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Supporting governance, reporting or assurance within a PMO or Portfolio Office environment.
- Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail.
- Confidence working with data, reports and senior stakeholders.
- Clear communication skills and a pragmatic, delivery‑focused mindset.
- Highly desirable: Experience working within a hub‑and‑spoke or matrix delivery environment.
- Exposure to portfolio or programme‑level reporting and governance.
- Familiarity with public sector or complex organisational delivery contexts.
- Working knowledge of recognised project or programme management frameworks.
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.
Portfolio Office Analyst employer: National Physical Laboratory
Contact Detail:
National Physical Laboratory Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Office Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work at NPL or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to governance and reporting. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your skills effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during the interview. Bring examples of how you've used data to support decision-making in past roles. This will demonstrate your fit for the Portfolio Office Analyst position.
✨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 their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Office Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in governance, reporting, and assurance. We want to see how your skills align with the Portfolio Office Analyst role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, include examples of how you've used data to support decision-making in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn numbers into insights, so make it clear how you’ve done this before.
Communicate Clearly: Your written application is your first chance to impress us, so keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your application well. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with stakeholders!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Physical Laboratory
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you understand the governance processes and standards that the Portfolio Office follows. Brush up on how assurance activities like health checks and stage gates work, as well as what makes a high-quality governance pack. This will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in how they operate.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role involves a lot of reporting and analysis, come prepared to discuss your experience with data. Bring examples of how you've used data to support decision-making in previous roles. If you can, prepare a few insights or analyses relevant to the projects they might be working on, so you can demonstrate your analytical skills.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need to liaise with various stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think about how you would explain complex governance concepts to someone who may not be familiar with them. Being able to communicate effectively will set you apart and show that you can engage with senior stakeholders.
✨Show Your Continuous Improvement Mindset
The role emphasises capturing feedback and identifying improvements. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to continuous improvement in past roles. Share specific examples where you’ve implemented changes based on lessons learned, and express your enthusiasm for sharing good practices within a team.