At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing Programme Management Office in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading defence and engineering organisation on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape complex projects.
- Other info: Exciting career growth potential in a supportive and collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by overseeing innovative programmes in a regulated sector.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in senior PMO roles and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Programmes to join a leading defence and engineering organisation based on the Isle of Wight. This senior leadership job offers the chance to shape and lead a high-performing Programme Management Office (PMO) responsible for delivering complex projects and programmes across a technically advanced and highly regulated environment.
The successful Head of Programmes will lead and develop the PMO, ensuring robust governance, delivery excellence, effective risk management and strong financial control across multiple projects. The Head of Programmes will oversee Programme Managers, Project Managers and Project Controllers while ensuring customer commitments, business objectives and financial targets are achieved.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the Programme Management Office
- Provide portfolio-level governance and oversight across multiple programmes and projects
- Drive PMO maturity, governance standards and best practices
- Manage programme risks, opportunities, dependencies and delivery performance
- Lead, mentor and develop programme and project management teams
- Support strategic customer engagement and stakeholder management
- Ensure accurate portfolio reporting, forecasting and financial control
Skills and Experience Required
- Significant experience in senior Programme, Portfolio or PMO leadership roles
- Experience within defence, aerospace, engineering, manufacturing or similarly regulated sectors
- Strong knowledge of project controls, governance, financial forecasting and risk management
- Proven leadership experience managing programme and project professionals
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong commercial awareness and business acumen
Desirable Experience
- APM PPQ, PMQ, MSP Practitioner or equivalent qualifications
- Experience developing and maturing PMO functions
- Knowledge of Power BI, Microsoft Project, SharePoint, SAP or similar systems
- Experience in portfolio reporting and business intelligence development
Head of Programmes employer: Octagon Group
Join a leading defence and engineering organisation on the picturesque Isle of Wight, where you will have the opportunity to shape a high-performing Programme Management Office. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through mentorship and professional development, while offering competitive benefits and a commitment to excellence in project delivery. Experience the unique advantage of working in a technically advanced environment that values innovation and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programmes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their PMO structure and be ready to discuss how you can enhance their governance and delivery excellence. Tailor your examples to show off your leadership skills in similar environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects, especially those in regulated sectors like defence or aerospace. This will give potential employers a clear picture of your capabilities and achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programmes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Programmes role. Highlight your experience in leading PMOs and managing complex projects, especially in regulated sectors like defence or engineering. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 role. Share specific examples of your leadership experience and how you've driven PMO maturity and governance standards in the past. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our team!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like successful project delivery rates or improvements in financial control. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Octagon Group
✨Know Your PMO Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding what a Programme Management Office (PMO) does, especially in the context of defence and engineering. Familiarise yourself with governance standards and best practices that are crucial for leading a high-performing PMO.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in managing programme and project professionals. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you mentored your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and develop the PMO effectively.
✨Master Financial Control and Risk Management
Brush up on your knowledge of financial forecasting and risk management strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these aspects in previous roles, as they are key responsibilities for the Head of Programmes position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in strategic customer engagement and stakeholder management. Think of instances where you’ve built strong relationships and how that contributed to project success. This will show your potential employer that you can effectively manage expectations and deliver results.
