At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance PMO functions through reporting, tooling, and stakeholder engagement.
- Company: Join a strategic team supporting a vast portfolio of over 200 projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive day rate and hybrid working options with a collaborative team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving change and improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in PMO roles, strong knowledge of PPM tools, and excellent stakeholder skills required.
- Other info: Mandatory on-site presence for 2-3 days a week in Welwyn Garden City and London.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid – 3 days per week on-site (no exceptions). Minimum 2 days in Welwyn Garden City and 1 day in Farringdon, London, or 3 days in Welwyn Garden City.
Contract Duration: 12–18 months. Day Rate: Competitive (Inside IR35). Start Date: ASAP / Immediate Start Preferred.
Overview: We are seeking a highly capable and hands-on Senior PMO Lead to join a strategic Data, Reporting, Tooling & Quality Assurance team that directly supports the PPMO function. This team’s customer is the PPMO, which oversees a vast portfolio comprising 15 programmes and over 200 projects — a truly large-scale and complex delivery environment. The Senior PMO Lead will play a critical role in improving the tooling, reporting, and process automation that enhances the PPMO’s service delivery, driving maturity and effectiveness across this extensive portfolio of work. This is a multidimensional role covering governance, tooling, reporting, automation, SharePoint, and collaboration, while also requiring the ability to project manage change, create roadmaps, and facilitate delivery. You will be a key driver of change maturity, working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Portfolio Reporting, Dashboards & Insights: Act as the Tableau SME, developing dashboards for resource management and planning, budget and financial tracking, delivery milestones and timelines, RAID logs and governance compliance. Source and visualise data from Planview, Jira, and other PPM tools. Provide stakeholders with high-quality, actionable insights that support the PPMO’s governance and decision-making.
- Tooling, Automation & Enablement: Serve as the tooling lead across Planview, Aha!, Jira, or similar platforms. Automate manual and time-consuming processes using Power Automate and Microsoft 365 tools. Standardise tool usage and coach delivery teams in best practices. Champion continuous improvement and tool optimisation to enhance the PPMO team’s service offerings.
- SharePoint Ownership & Development: Lead the refresh, consolidation, and development of SharePoint sites used across the portfolio. Improve site structure, content management, permissions, and usability. Facilitate better collaboration and knowledge sharing via modern SharePoint design.
- Governance, Assurance & Change Facilitation: Own and enhance PPM standards (RAID, benefits management, change control, etc.). Conduct assurance checks and track portfolio compliance. Create and maintain delivery roadmaps. Initiate and manage change activities, working with project and portfolio leads. Support project delivery and portfolio change through light-touch project management activity.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with delivery teams, business owners and exec sponsors to align on standards and performance. Promote adoption of tooling, automation and governance practices. Act as a trusted advisor on tooling, reporting and PPM maturity to help the PPMO improve their service delivery.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven experience as a Senior PMO Lead, Senior PMO Manager, or similar governance/change delivery role.
- Strong knowledge of Planview, Aha!, Jira, or equivalent PPM tools.
- Expert-level Tableau experience – designing dashboards across finance, resource, RAID, delivery metrics.
- Advanced Power Automate and Microsoft 365 automation experience.
- Deep SharePoint development capability – site refresh, consolidation, governance and UX.
- Experience creating roadmaps and facilitating change across portfolios.
- Skilled in light-touch project management to enable delivery.
- Understanding of Agile and/or PRINCE2 delivery methodologies.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
Desirable Experience
- Experience in large-scale change or transformation within enterprise environments.
- Background in finance, data, or reporting-heavy portfolios.
- Familiarity with knowledge management, audit, or compliance.
- Exposure to continuous improvement and Lean principles within a PMO or delivery function.
Working Pattern
On-site presence is mandatory – no exceptions. You must be able to work 2 days per week in Welwyn Garden City and 1 day in Farringdon, London, or 3 days per week in Welwyn Garden City.
What’s on Offer
- Long-term contract (12–18 months) in a visible and impactful PMO leadership role supporting a major PPMO function with huge portfolio responsibility.
- Competitive day rate (Inside IR35).
- Opportunity to shape tools, reporting, SharePoint and automation across a large, complex change portfolio.
- Hybrid working with a collaborative and delivery-focused team.
Project Management Officer employer: Pontoon Solutions
Contact Detail:
Pontoon Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Management Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools mentioned in the job description, such as Tableau, Planview, and Jira. Having hands-on experience or even a solid understanding of these platforms will give you an edge during discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in managing large-scale projects and how you've implemented governance and change management practices. We value candidates who can demonstrate their ability to drive maturity and effectiveness in complex environments.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your stakeholder engagement skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully liaised with various teams and senior stakeholders. Being able to communicate effectively and influence others is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role requires a hybrid working pattern, be ready to discuss your flexibility and commitment to being on-site as required. Highlighting your adaptability to different working environments can make a positive impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Management Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project management and PMO roles. Emphasise your expertise with tools like Planview, Aha!, and Jira, as well as your skills in Tableau and Power Automate.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are the perfect fit for the Senior PMO Lead position. Mention specific examples of how you've improved tooling, reporting, or process automation in previous roles.
Showcase Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Demonstrate your ability to engage with stakeholders effectively. Include examples of how you've influenced decision-making or promoted best practices in past projects.
Highlight Change Management Experience: Since the role involves facilitating change, be sure to detail your experience in managing change activities and creating roadmaps. Use concrete examples to illustrate your success in these areas.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pontoon Solutions
✨Showcase Your PMO Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in PMO roles, especially any hands-on leadership positions. Discuss specific projects where you improved processes or tools, and be ready to provide examples of how you've driven change in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Since the role requires expertise in tools like Tableau, Planview, and Jira, prepare to discuss your experience with these platforms. Bring examples of dashboards you've created or automation processes you've implemented to showcase your technical skills.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement is crucial for this position. Be prepared to talk about how you've successfully liaised with various teams and senior stakeholders in the past. Share strategies you've used to promote adoption of new tools and practices.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and project management skills. Think of situations where you've had to manage change or resolve conflicts, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.