At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage digital customer experience projects to drive change and deliver value.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Very, a leading digital retailer focused on family empowerment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a £10,000 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal growth and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in portfolio management and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About us
We’re the team behind digital retailer Very. Our purpose, helping families get more out of life, powers everything we do. And we want our people to get more out of life too! If you’re high‑performing, ambitious and make the most of every opportunity, we want to hear from you. In return, you’ll enjoy heaps of flexibility, great perks and benefits, and the freedom to be yourself, keep learning and take your career wherever you want it to go. If you love making a difference, you’ll love making it sparkle for millions of Very customers.
About the role
We are looking for a Portfolio Manager to orchestrate and oversee change across our marketing and digital customer experience pillars, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and delivery of maximum value. Leading a team of senior delivery managers, the role drives the delivery of a wide portfolio of activity across Performance Units (PUs), including commercial and key line‑of‑business initiatives. The Portfolio Manager is responsible for building delivery capability and ensuring optimal resource utilisation across PUs.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Impact
- Lead multi‑disciplinary teams in a large‑scale, fast‑moving digital business, through up to 6 direct reports and matrix management of multiple delivery teams (100+ colleagues).
- Role‑model exemplary delivery principles and champion a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Manage recruitment, performance and development of senior delivery managers. Act as coach and mentor.
- Accountable for all change delivery within one or more PUs, including planning, funding, resourcing and reporting to deliver business value early and at high velocity.
- Manage delivery interconnectivity across PUs and ensure effective delivery drives benefits to customers and colleagues underpinning PU’s annual strategy.
- Delivery Leadership
- Steer delivery teams to deliver on time, to cost, and with quality outcomes.
- Establish and manage PU delivery plan, ensuring alignment across squads.
- Facilitate collaboration, remove blockers and build talent pipelines internally and externally.
- Drive team productivity using metric‑driven continuous improvement.
- Support Head of Delivery and PMO in raising standards and implementing strategies to meet OKRs.
- Champion knowledge sharing and innovation through forums and showcases.
- Risk & Issue Management
- Proactively identify and manage risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies.
- Manage escalation process with GLT and Head of Delivery/ePMO.
- Portfolio Planning & Prioritisation
- Facilitate portfolio planning cycles and contribute to Quarterly Planning Process (QPP).
- Work with stakeholders to prioritise work from technical and product roadmap perspectives.
- Governance & Oversight
- Ensure adherence to governance framework across projects, small change and BAU.
- Monitor delivery performance, risks and status.
- Facilitate portfolio‑level decision‑making forums with senior executives and sponsors.
- Resource & Capacity Management
- Monitor squad/team capacity, align resourcing to priorities and optimise allocation.
- Identify and resolve resource bottlenecks.
- Manage budget allocations and expenditure tracking.
- Support business case creation and benefits tracking.
- Provide advice and information to senior management for investment decisions.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as primary delivery contact for exec PU sponsor and GLT stakeholders.
- Build productive relationships with senior leaders, Heads of Product, Heads of Tech and delivery teams.
- Communicate progress, risks and changes clearly to PMO and stakeholders.
- Reporting & MI
- Provide regular portfolio updates and manage escalations.
- Deliver accurate and timely reporting on KPIs and delivery metrics.
About you
- Expert in portfolio and programme management with proven ability to govern large, complex, cross‑functional portfolios.
- Experience in managing incoming dependencies and sequencing work to minimise bottlenecks.
- Strong people leader with evidence of delivering transformation.
- Excellent commercial and financial acumen.
- Deep understanding of agile, waterfall and hybrid delivery models.
- Skilled in change leadership and influencing across organisational boundaries.
- Action‑oriented, removes barriers to rapid delivery.
- Strong stakeholder and third‑party management skills.
- Ability to coach, mentor, mediate and build team resilience.
- Significant experience in delivery and leadership roles in large, complex technology‑led organisations, with deep knowledge of PU area.
Some of our Benefits
- Flexible, hybrid working model
- Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
- £10,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- LinkedIn Learning access
- Bonus potential (performance and business‑related)
- Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk
- Matched pension up to 6%
- More benefits can be found on our career site
We are building a culture of everyday inclusion and welcome applications from anyone who believes they can do the job. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. If you need reasonable adjustments to apply, interview or perform a role, let us know via talentacquisition@theverygroup.com. We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and have nine employee networks – including DAWN (Disability Awareness at Very) and Think (Neurodiversity at Very) – that help us make Very an inclusive place to work.
Portfolio Manager - Digital Customer Experience employer: The Very Group
At Very, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions flexibility, inclusivity, and personal growth. As a Portfolio Manager in our dynamic digital environment, you'll benefit from a generous £10,000 flexible benefits allowance, 30 days of holiday, and access to continuous learning opportunities through LinkedIn Learning. Our vibrant culture encourages collaboration and innovation, making it a rewarding place for high-performing individuals eager to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Manager - Digital Customer Experience
✨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 Manager - Digital Customer Experience at The Very Group!
✨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 Very Group or be willing to refer you for that Portfolio Manager - Digital Customer Experience 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 Very Group who’s on the lookout for their next Portfolio Manager - Digital Customer Experience 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 Manager - Digital Customer Experience role at The Very Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Manager - Digital Customer Experience
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 Very Group. 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 Very Group
✨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 Very Group. 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!
