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- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and optimise IS project portfolios for impactful outcomes.
- Company: Guide Dogs, a mission-driven organisation supporting people with sight loss.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and a personalised benefits package.
- Why this job: Shape IS initiatives that truly make a difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in IS project management and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We value in-person collaboration with our teams and those we support, so the ability to travel to our sites is needed for this role. We support hybrid working arrangements, so you have flexibility to work in a way that’s best for you. You’ll work from either our Leamington National Centre, London, or Reading office for two days each week, with flexible arrangements.
Are you passionate about driving strategic change and optimising IS project portfolios to deliver real impact? Can you deliver three projects standing on your head, whilst also planning four more in the pipeline, whilst simultaneously developing and managing a programme framework? As the IS Planning and Portfolio Lead at Guide Dogs, you’ll play a vital role in shaping and coordinating the strategic planning of our Information Systems (IS) projects and ensuring they deliver meaningful outcomes for the people we support.
Reporting to the CIO, you’ll make sure IS initiatives are aligned to organisational goals, enabling better decision making, smarter resource allocation, and the delivery of high value solutions. Working closely with stakeholders across the organisation, you’ll help define priorities, track progress, and ensure IS programmes and projects are successfully delivered. Your expertise in project delivery, portfolio management, and stakeholder engagement will support our mission to help people with sight loss live the life they choose.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Hands‑on delivery through effective project management.
- Leading portfolio governance, including decision‑making criteria, performance tracking and resource planning.
- Acting as the primary point of contact across IS for planning and portfolio activity, fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
- Creating insightful reporting dashboards and analysing portfolio data to give leaders clear visibility of project health and performance.
- Driving improvement in IS planning, processes, and governance, keeping us aligned with industry best practice.
- Supporting the development of IS strategic roadmap for our core technology services.
- Evaluating and prioritising IS initiatives based on business value, feasibility, and risk.
About You
We’re looking for an organised, strategic thinker with strong experience in IS project and portfolio management. You’ll bring a collaborative mindset, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering solutions that make a real difference. You’ll have:
- A recognised Project or Programme Management qualification.
- Proven experience managing an IS project portfolio.
- Expertise in agile methodologies and their application in IS or business-focused projects.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including at a senior level.
- A track record of process improvement and enhancing IS efficiency.
- A data focused approach to decision‑making and prioritisation.
You’ll thrive in this role if you enjoy balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery, and if you’re motivated by the opportunity to shape how IS contributes to the Guide Dogs' mission. This is a great role for an established project manager to stretch themselves.
No two people with sight loss are the same, and none of our people are either. So, we are proud to offer a range of person‑centred benefits that can support each member of staff in ways that really mean something to them – and show them how much they mean to us. We offer a flexible benefits package, discounts and cashback scheme, a generous holiday allowance and matched contributory pension scheme to care for our people.
IS Planning & Portfolio Lead in Royal Leamington Spa employer: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Contact Detail:
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IS Planning & Portfolio Lead in Royal Leamington Spa
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Guide Dogs on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding their mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in IS project management. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After your interview, drop a thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Guide Dogs team.
We think you need these skills to ace IS Planning & Portfolio Lead in Royal Leamington Spa
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for driving strategic change shine through. We want to see how passionate you are about optimising IS project portfolios and making a real impact!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in IS project and portfolio management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in agile methodologies and stakeholder engagement.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your achievements and how they align with our mission at Guide Dogs. We appreciate clarity as much as we value creativity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the IS projects you’ve managed. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you’ve driven strategic change and optimised project portfolios. Highlight your hands-on delivery experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in engaging with stakeholders, especially at a senior level. Think of examples where you’ve fostered strong relationships and influenced decision-making. This will demonstrate your collaborative mindset, which is key for this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Data Savvy
Since the role requires a data-focused approach, be ready to discuss how you’ve used data to inform decision-making and prioritisation in past projects. Bring examples of reporting dashboards or performance tracking methods you’ve implemented.
✨Align with Their Mission
Research Guide Dogs and understand their mission. Be prepared to articulate how your skills and experiences can contribute to helping people with sight loss. Showing genuine passion for their cause will set you apart from other candidates.
