At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance PMO functions through reporting, tooling, and process automation.
- 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 large-scale delivery environment while driving change and improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in PMO roles, strong knowledge of PPM tools, and excellent stakeholder engagement skills required.
- Other info: Mandatory on-site presence for 2-3 days per week in Welwyn Garden City and Farringdon.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 project showcasing your skills with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the PMO field, especially those who have experience in large-scale change or transformation projects. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with stakeholder engagement and how you've influenced decision-making in previous roles. This is crucial for the Senior PMO Lead position, so having concrete examples ready will demonstrate your capability.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand the importance of governance and compliance in PMO functions. Be ready to share your thoughts on best practices and how you've implemented them in past projects, as this will resonate well with the hiring team.
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 as a Senior PMO Lead or in similar governance/change delivery roles. Emphasise your expertise with tools like Planview, Aha!, and Jira, as well as your advanced skills in Tableau and Power Automate.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention specific examples of how you've improved tooling, reporting, or process automation in previous roles.
Showcase Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement and influencing skills. Provide examples of how you've liaised with delivery teams and business owners to align on standards and performance.
Demonstrate Change Management Experience: Include details about your experience in managing change activities and creating roadmaps. Discuss any large-scale change or transformation projects you've been involved in, particularly within enterprise environments.
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've improved processes or tools, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the Senior PMO Lead.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Be prepared to discuss your expertise in tools like Tableau, Planview, and Jira. Share examples of dashboards you've created or how you've automated processes using Power Automate, as these skills are crucial for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder engagement is key, think of examples where you've successfully liaised with delivery teams or senior management. Show how you can influence and promote best practices in governance and tooling.
✨Prepare for Change Management Scenarios
Expect questions about your experience with change management and creating roadmaps. Be ready to discuss how you've facilitated change in previous roles and the methodologies you used, such as Agile or PRINCE2.