At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead governance processes for strategic initiatives and ensure effective portfolio management.
- Company: Join the Financial Times, a top global news organisation known for integrity and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, medical coverage, gym discounts, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a hybrid work model and contribute to a culture of innovation.
- Why this job: Shape impactful projects and collaborate with diverse experts in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in portfolio management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58349 - 71315 £ per year.
About Us
The Financial Times ranks among the world’s top news organisations and is known worldwide for its authority, integrity, and accuracy. Its mission is to provide quality information and services around the globe. At the FT, curiosity flourishes and ambitious thinking is appreciated. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. Without a set route, you’ll uncover new skills and build a career that can lead you anywhere. Develop a newsworthy career at the FT.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the strength of diverse viewpoints and want every voice within our organisation to be acknowledged, respected and appreciated. A nurturing workplace is one where employees feel free to be authentic and perform at their highest capability. We are dedicated to eliminating obstacles for all, especially concentrating on challenges encountered by underrepresented groups.
The Role
As Project Portfolio Governance Manager, you will ensure the FT's change initiatives portfolio is governed, prioritised, and planned effectively. You will lead governance processes within Portfolio and Programmes. These processes assess proposed initiatives for strategic alignment, value creation, cost, risk, and feasibility before investment decisions. Acting as the gateway between idea generation and implementation, you will enable informed, data-driven decision-making, balancing organisational priorities, capacity and investment to maximise business value. You will work closely with senior collaborators across Product, Technology, Editorial, Data, Commercial and Corporate functions to promote transparent governance and effective portfolio planning.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead portfolio intake and demand management processes, facilitating reviews of new initiatives and identifying duplication, consolidation opportunities and appropriate delivery pathways.
- Partner with collaborators to shape and refine proposals, ensuring sufficient information is available for evaluation and prioritisation.
- Ensure initiatives are consistently assessed against governance standards, impact criteria and investment requirements.
- Challenge arguments, assumptions and benefit forecasts to support evidence-based investment decisions.
- Highlight risks, dependencies, opportunity costs, trade-offs and capacity impacts to enable transparent prioritisation.
- Manage the quality and completeness of submissions to governance forums for senior leadership review.
- Lead portfolio capacity planning, maintaining visibility of demand, resource utilisation and delivery constraints.
- Support quarterly and annual planning cycles with robust analysis and prioritisation recommendations.
- Produce governance reporting, monitor delivery against approved arguments and provide actionable portfolio insights.
- Build trusted relationships with senior collaborators, promoting cooperation, responsibility, and effective portfolio governance.
- Drive continuous improvement by embedding standard portfolio management, lean governance and outcome-based investment approaches.
- Support the automation and enhancement of portfolio management tools, reporting and governance frameworks.
Required Skills and Experience
Essential
- Proven experience leading enterprise portfolio management, PMO/VMO leadership or strategic programme governance.
- Strong understanding of technology change and the ability to bring together expertise from multiple technical teams to assess investment opportunities.
- Excellent financial competence with experience evaluating investment value, benefits and return on investment.
- Experience working within complex, matrixed organisations.
- Outstanding facilitation, communication and collaborator management skills, including engagement with senior leaders.
- Ability to translate strategic objectives into practical prioritisation frameworks and governance processes.
- Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Desirable
- Experience within media, publishing, digital subscription or technology-led organisations.
- Experience supporting investment identification, prioritisation and portfolio oversight.
- Familiarity with Agile delivery environments and product operating models.
- Experience with portfolio management frameworks such as Lean Portfolio Management, MoP, SAFe LPM or enterprise PPM platforms.
What's in it for You?
Our benefits differ depending on the location, but we are dedicated to offering top-tier perks at all our offices. These consist of generous annual leave, medical coverage, inclusive parental leave packages, discounted gym memberships, and chances to contribute to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here: https://aboutus.ft.com/careers/benefits.
We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model with two to three days onsite. This fosters trust and remote adaptability. It also encourages in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.
Accessibility
We are a Disability Confident employer and a Valuable 500 signatory. Please inform us if you need any reasonable accommodations or customised assistance during the application process or interview. If you have any questions, please contact talent@ft.com.
Further Information
At the FT, we value innovation and technology and understand that candidates may use AI tools when applying for jobs. Feel free to harness AI to assist your application, but it is crucial that all details are authentic and accurately show your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be informed that the use of AI during the application process might be observed to guarantee a fair and transparent hiring experience for everyone. Please be cautious of fake job postings and offers pretending to come from the Financial Times. Genuine positions will ask you to apply via the official Financial Times careers page. The FT will not request financial details, payments, or referrals to others during hiring. If you doubt a job's authenticity or notice suspicious activity, contact talent@ft.com.
Interested in the FT but don’t find the right position currently? Join our Talent Community to get exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT.
Project Portfolio Governance Manager in London employer: The Financial Times
The Financial Times is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and wellbeing. With generous benefits such as annual leave, medical cover, and opportunities for community engagement, employees are supported in their professional journeys while contributing to meaningful journalism. Located in a collaborative environment, the role of Senior IT Engineer allows you to connect with diverse experts and leverage cutting-edge technology, making a significant impact within the organisation.
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We think this is how you could land Project Portfolio Governance Manager in London
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Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Project Portfolio Governance Manager at The Financial Times!
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We think you need these skills to ace Project Portfolio Governance Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
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✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
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We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at The Financial Times. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
