Portfolio Director

Portfolio Director

Full-Time 59576 - 70089 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The London Metal Exchange

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and transform the PMO function, ensuring effective delivery of change programmes.
  • Company: Dynamic organisation focused on strategic project management and transformation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
  • Other info: Opportunity to mentor and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of the organisation while driving impactful change across multiple teams.
  • Qualifications: Formal portfolio management qualifications and extensive experience in change delivery required.

The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ per year.

Overall Purpose of Role

You will play an important role in shaping the future by leading the effective definition and delivery of the organisation’s project change portfolio and our Enterprise PMO function. A key focus of the role is working with stakeholders across the organisation to translate the business strategy into a prioritised portfolio of deliverable business and IT change programmes. You will also ensure our projects are supported by credible business cases and take responsibility for optimising delivery across the portfolio, including driving efficient resource allocation, resolution of escalated issues, and mitigation of key portfolio risks.

Responsibilities

  • PMO function transformation
    • Lead transformation of the PMO function; assessing current capabilities and effectiveness
    • Implement structural changes to working practices to drive a step-change in PMO capability, driving improved change management discipline and agility across the organisation
  • Strategic planning & portfolio definition
    • Lead the development and ongoing refinement of the overall change portfolio and approach (including Annual Operating Planning process)
    • Ensure all programmes and projects align with the strategic objectives of the organisation
    • Prioritise initiatives based on business impact and resource availability
    • Develop and maintain a multi-year delivery roadmap that extends beyond the horizon of annual budgeting and planning cycles
  • Portfolio management and delivery
    • Oversee the entire portfolio of change programmes, ensuring timely and quality delivery
    • Plan and ensure allocation of resources efficiently and manage against the overall portfolio capex / opex budget ensuring key dependencies are identified and managed
    • Implement and maintain portfolio management processes and tools to track progress, risks / issues, and benefits realisation (applying both traditional and agile / lean methodologies as suited to individual projects)
    • Identify, analyse, and mitigate risks across the portfolio
    • Ensure that all programmes and projects meet agreed quality standards (incl. assurance reviews)
    • Drive continuous improvement in delivery practices (incl. post-implementation reviews)
  • Programme / project manager oversight
    • Manage a number of cross-business / function programme and project managers directly
    • Provide dotted oversight of project managers embedded within individual business lines
    • Ensure all project management activities comply with agreed internal methodologies (both traditional and agile/lean) and governance disciplines
    • As appropriate, review existing delivery frameworks and methods to ensure they are fit for purpose
  • Stakeholder engagement and communication
    • Support programme / project sponsors in performing their roles effectively, providing guidance on key decision points
    • Act as a key liaison between project teams and senior stakeholders (in particular, supporting Product Managers)
    • Provide regular portfolio performance updates to programme boards, executive committees, boards and other forums
    • Ensure transparent and effective communication across all levels of the organisation
    • Work closely with HKEX stakeholders on aligning practices and providing relevant management information
  • Leadership and team development
    • Lead, mentor, and develop the PMO teams
    • Foster a collaborative and high-performing environment

Academic and Professional Qualifications

Formal portfolio / change management qualifications essential (P3M, PfMP, MoP, CPM, PPS, QA/QC methods etc). University degree required.

Knowledge and Level of Experience

Extensive experience in portfolio management and change delivery in a similar role. Demonstrable experience leading complex multi-year transformation programmes. Experience across both traditional / waterfall and lean / agile methods of delivery. Experience in managing and leading people across multiple teams. Strong understanding of project lifecycles and methodologies - Financial services background strongly preferred, ideally familiarity with exchange trading and clearing products, systems and processes. Previous experience of working in a matrix organisation structure with ability to build relationships and influence staff at different levels. Effective and efficient in training, coaching and mentoring project teams, sponsors and other senior stakeholders.

Portfolio Director employer: The London Metal Exchange

As a Portfolio Director at our organisation, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation and strategic growth. We offer competitive benefits, including professional development opportunities and a commitment to fostering your career progression within the financial services sector. Located in a vibrant area, our company not only values your contributions but also supports a healthy work-life balance, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

The London Metal Exchange

Contact Details:

The London Metal Exchange Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Portfolio Director

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

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 Portfolio Director at The London Metal Exchange!

Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks

Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like The London Metal Exchange or be willing to refer you for that Portfolio Director position!

Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from The London Metal Exchange who’s on the lookout for their next Portfolio Director star!

Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online

Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Portfolio Director role at The London Metal Exchange!

We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Director

Portfolio Management
Change Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Resource Allocation
Risk Mitigation
Agile Methodologies
Lean Methodologies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at The London Metal Exchange. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

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.

Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!

How to prepare for a job interview at The London Metal Exchange

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!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

Show Your Leadership Flair

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.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at The London Metal Exchange. 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!