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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the PMO to drive operational excellence and support strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join a progressive mutual life insurance office with a rich 160-year history.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive leave, pension contributions, and health benefits in a hybrid work model.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that shapes the future of financial services.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values every team member.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Do you want to be part of something more than just a financial services business? Do you believe everyone, regardless of wealth, should have the opportunity to save and look after their loved ones? Do you want to be part of something that has been here for 160 years and help it be here for 160 more?
Scottish Friendly have an exciting opportunity to join our team. Based in Glasgow City Centre, we are one of the most progressive mutual life insurance offices in the UK. We have a strong, clear culture which has grown since 1862 with our customers and colleagues of today and the future being at the heart of that growth.
The PMO Operations Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient and compliant operation of the Project Management Office.
This position focuses on driving operational excellence through robust governance, streamlined processes, and effective use of tools and systems. The role is accountable for maintaining PMO frameworks, ensuring adherence to standards, and enabling successful portfolio delivery through accurate reporting, data integrity, and operational support.
Acting as a key liaison between delivery teams and senior stakeholders, the PMO Operations Manager provides the insight, structure, and operational discipline required to support strategic decision-making and maintain compliance in a highly regulated environment.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Governance: Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of PMO governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and delivery standards.
- Team Leadership & Capability Development: Line manage PMO Analysts, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development support.
- Build PMO capability by identifying skills gaps, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and enabling knowledge share.
- Oversee the production of portfolio-level reporting, including dashboards, KPIs, and executive insights, ensuring data integrity and actionable analysis.
- Monitor portfolio health, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to inform strategic decision-making and optimise delivery outcomes.
- Own management of the financial governance process across the change portfolio, including budget tracking, forecasting, month-end processes, and financial reporting.
- Lead resource management activities, ensuring optimal allocation of capacity across programmes and projects, and proactively addressing supply-demand imbalances.
Operational Excellence & Process Improvement
- Drive operational efficiency by streamlining PMO processes, tools, and reporting mechanisms, leveraging automation and digital solutions where appropriate.
- Ensure PMO systems are fit-for-purpose, well-maintained, and support scalable portfolio management.
Change Control & Governance Support
- Manage the portfolio-level change control process, ensuring robust impact assessments, governance pack preparation, and timely decision-making.
- Provide high-quality support to governance forums, including steering committees and programme boards, through insightful reporting and coordination.
- Oversee the management and analysis of risks, issues, and dependencies across the portfolio, ensuring visibility, escalation, and mitigation strategies are in place.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Act as a key liaison between PMO, delivery teams, finance, and senior stakeholders, ensuring alignment, transparency, and effective communication.
- Translate complex portfolio data into clear, compelling narratives for senior leadership and governance bodies.
Qualifications
- Education: PMP, PRINCE2, or PMO certifications preferred.
- Experience: Experience in project/program management, a PMO leadership role within a regulated industry.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in PPM tools, advanced Excel.
- Soft Skills: Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and influencing skills; ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Personal Attributes: Confident, proactive, and able to challenge the programme when required; self-motivated to review portfolio performance and analyse data to inform decision making; strategic thinking and problem-solving; strong governance and risk management mindset; leadership and team development.
Benefits
- We offer recognition awards, including prizes such as one week’s annual leave plus £3,000 spending money.
- Refer-a-friend scheme: Earn rewards for bringing talented friends to our team.
- Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays, with service-based increases and options to buy or sell extra days.
- Supporting the future: 10% employer pension contribution, 4 x group life cover.
- Getting around: Cycle-to-work schemes, Electric Vehicle scheme, and travel loans.
- Wellbeing: 24/7 GP access, EAP, Private Healthcare, and access to savings at retailers.
- Hybrid model with up to three remote days per week, totalling 35 hours per week Monday to Friday.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues feel valued, respected and represented. If you require any accommodations during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
16 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4HJ, United Kingdom
#J-18808-Ljbffr
PMO Operations Manager employer: Scottish Friendly
Contact Detail:
Scottish Friendly Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Scottish Friendly on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Scottish Friendly’s history, values, and recent projects. This will help you connect your experience with their mission and show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills in the interview! Be ready to discuss how you've driven operational excellence in past roles. Use specific examples that highlight your PMO experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the PMO Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in project management and governance frameworks, and don’t forget to sprinkle in those key skills like stakeholder engagement and data analysis.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission at Scottish Friendly. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to get to know you!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your operational excellence and leadership skills. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Friendly
✨Know Your PMO Frameworks
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of PMO governance frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented or improved these in past roles. This shows you understand the importance of structure and compliance in a regulated environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in team leadership and capability development. Talk about how you've coached team members or identified skills gaps. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves portfolio-level reporting and data integrity, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decision-making. Discuss specific tools or methods you've employed to ensure accurate reporting and analysis.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think of instances where you've acted as a liaison between different teams or stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you ensured alignment and transparency in communication. This will show your ability to translate complex data into clear narratives for senior leadership.