Head of PMO in Cambridge

Head of PMO in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 80000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative projects and drive excellence across the organisation.
  • Company: Join a pioneering company focused on simplifying clinical trials.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible remote work, generous holiday, and health support.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of clinical trials and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in senior PMO roles and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.

About the role

At TRI, our mission is to make Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) simple, making it accessible, understandable, and actionable for clinical trials of any scale and complexity. We develop innovative technologies and simplified solutions to empower research organisations and sponsors, ensuring the highest standards of trial integrity and participant safety.

We are seeking an accomplished Head of PMO to lead TRI’s Value Creation Plan (VCP) projects, drive delivery excellence across the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and own the design and rollout of TRI’s future Target Operating Model (TOM) covering systems, processes, decision-making frameworks, team structures, handoffs, and how the organisation works end-to-end.

This role demands someone who is equally strong in:

  • Execution (getting projects delivered)
  • Governance (bringing clarity and discipline)
  • Strategy & Design (operating model thinking, organisational optimisation)

It is a senior, influential role that helps shape how TRI scales.

Key Responsibilities

  • Enterprise PMO & Value Creation Plan (VCP) Delivery
    • Own and operate the enterprise-wide PMO, overseeing all strategic and cross-functional initiatives.
    • Lead the full lifecycle delivery of the Value Creation Plan (VCP).
    • Establish clear prioritisation, sequencing, and dependency management across initiatives.
    • Oversee initiative budgets, benefits tracking, and ROI realisation.
    • Define and track outcome-based KPIs for all strategic programmes.
    • Implement a disciplined operating rhythm for planning, reviews, escalation, and decision-making forums.
    • Produce concise, decision-ready reporting for the SLT, Executive Chair, CEO, and Board.
    • Actively manage risks, issues, and trade-offs, ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
  • Chief of Staff – Executive Chair & CEO
    • Drive follow-through and execution of Board and Executive actions.
    • Coordinate and quality-control Board packs, strategic papers, and executive updates.
    • Ensure clarity of decisions, actions, ownership, and timelines across the Executive agenda.
    • Support the Executive Chair and CEO in preparing for strategic meetings, off-sites, and reviews.
    • Act as the central coordination point across the SLT on strategic priorities.
    • Provide structured analysis, synthesis, and insight on key topics.
    • Maintain a strong focus on execution and delivery, not diary management.
  • Transformation Programme Leadership
    • Serve as programme owner for major enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
    • Design and lead high-priority transformation programmes in partnership with the CEO and Board.
    • Apply structured methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, process redesign, change management) to drive efficient delivery.
    • Work hands-on with functional leaders to remove barriers, accelerate progress, and embed long-term change.
    • Lead the initial transformation of the Target Operating Model (TOM), including:
    • Operating cadence and governance
    • Clear accountabilities and decision rights
    • Scalable, efficient end-to-end processes
    • Transition to enforcing and operating within the TOM once implemented.

Success in the First 12 Months Looks Like

  • A fully operational PMO environment with governance, cadences, reporting, and clarity.
  • SLT aligned, accountable, and consistently delivering against priorities.
  • A complete review of TRI’s “as-is” operating model with gaps, issues, and opportunities clearly defined.
  • A signed-off Target Operating Model with a clear roadmap.
  • Execution of the first wave of TOM improvements, with measurable uplift (e.g., reduced cycle time, fewer handoff failures, better clarity/ownership).
  • TRI is functioning with greater operational predictability, speed, and alignment.

Your skills & qualifications

  • Significant experience in senior PMO, transformation, strategy execution, or operational leadership roles.
  • Proven success delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives in scaling, SaaS, technology-enabled, or PE-backed environments.
  • Strong financial and commercial acumen, including managing budgets and benefits realisation.
  • Deep experience in programme governance, prioritisation, and disciplined delivery.
  • Exposure to transformation programmes, TOM redesigns, and structured improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
  • Comfortable working with Board-level stakeholders and investor expectations.

Skills

  • Exceptional communication and facilitation.
  • Lean Six Sigma methodology.
  • Ability to bring order, clarity, and structure into ambiguity.
  • Strong analytical and process-mapping capability.
  • Experienced in a variety of PMO tools (Jira/Asana/Power BI/Notion, etc.).
  • Change management, influencing, storytelling.

Our company culture

Benefits & compensation

  • Salary: £80,000 - £90,000 Depending on Experience
  • Flexible, remote-first working. You will be able to enjoy all the benefits of working from home, with access to coworking spaces close to you if required (via Hubble membership).
  • Generous holiday as standard. We offer 27 days' holiday, with a company shutdown between Christmas and New Year. Sometimes we also offer an extra, discretionary, paid day off to celebrate a specific company success.
  • Extra holiday on top. For every full year you are with TRI, you will earn an extra day of holiday, up to a maximum of 30 days.
  • Carefully considered, market-leading salaries. We regularly benchmark our salaries to make sure we are offering at the top end of the scale. You will have your salary reviewed annually.
  • Enhanced pension offer. Following your probation period, you can opt in to our enhanced pension contributions arrangement. It’s a salary sacrifice scheme, paid on your full salary (not just the ‘qualifying amount’), which means you get better pension contributions alongside valuable tax and National Insurance savings.
  • Health and well-being support. We offer all employees a health cash plan with Simply Health, allowing you to look after your health and wellbeing every day. Our Optimise Level 5 plan includes cash back for a huge range of health services, including dental and optical, Virtual GP, face-to-face counselling and more.
  • Life cover. You will be covered at four times your salary from day one, paid as a tax-free lump sum to your named beneficiary.
  • In-person meetings and socials. We have company conferences each year, plus regular team meet-ups throughout the year.
  • Training and development. We make sure that you are able to reach your full potential with TRI by offering you access to training and development, plus regular reviews and goal-setting with your line manager.

Head of PMO in Cambridge employer: Triumph Research Intelligence

At TRI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a flexible, remote-first work culture while offering generous benefits such as 27 days of holiday, enhanced pension contributions, and comprehensive health support. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on training and development, ensuring that every team member can thrive in their role and contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future of clinical trials. Join us in a dynamic environment where your expertise will directly influence our mission to simplify Risk-Based Quality Management for research organisations worldwide.
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Contact Detail:

Triumph Research Intelligence Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of PMO in Cambridge

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching TRI’s mission and values. Understand their approach to Risk-Based Quality Management and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in PMO and transformation leadership clearly and confidently. Highlight specific examples of how you've driven delivery excellence and managed complex initiatives in the past.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to 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 TRI team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of PMO in Cambridge

Project Management
Governance
Strategic Planning
Value Creation Plan (VCP) Delivery
Budget Management
KPI Tracking
Risk Management
Lean Six Sigma
Change Management
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Process Redesign
Transformation Programme Leadership
PMO Tools (Jira, Asana, Power BI, Notion)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of PMO role. Highlight your experience in PMO, transformation, and strategy execution, as these are key areas we’re looking for.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve successfully delivered complex projects or improved processes. We love seeing measurable outcomes!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us quickly understand your fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Triumph Research Intelligence

Know Your PMO Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of project management offices (PMOs) and their role in transformation. Familiarise yourself with TRI's Value Creation Plan and how it aligns with the company's mission. This will help you articulate how your experience can directly contribute to their goals.

Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

Prepare examples that highlight your strategic thinking and execution skills. Discuss past experiences where you've successfully led complex initiatives or transformed operating models. Be ready to explain how you prioritised tasks and managed dependencies to achieve results.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

As a Head of PMO, strong communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your points effectively while demonstrating your analytical capabilities.

Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle ambiguity. Think about potential challenges TRI might face in implementing their Target Operating Model and prepare to discuss how you would approach these situations, showcasing your change management expertise.

Head of PMO in Cambridge
Triumph Research Intelligence
Location: Cambridge

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