At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform complex data into actionable insights that drive strategic decisions.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on performance and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence major programmes.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior leaders in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of organisational performance.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in performance reporting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Closing date for applications: Friday 3rd July 2026
Shape Strategic Decisions Through Data, Insight and Influence
Are you passionate about turning complex data into meaningful insight that drives organisational performance? Do you thrive in environments where strategic thinking, analytical expertise and stakeholder influence come together to deliver real change? We are seeking an experienced Portfolio Insight & Performance Manager to lead the development of portfolio intelligence across a diverse portfolio of programmes and projects. This is a highly visible role that sits at the heart of decision-making, helping senior leaders understand performance, manage risk, optimise investment and drive successful delivery. You'll play a key role in transforming data into actionable intelligence, providing clear strategic insight that supports governance, assurance and continuous improvement across major organisational initiatives.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and maintain executive dashboards that provide clear visibility of portfolio performance, delivery confidence, benefits realisation, financial performance and risk.
- Analyse delivery, financial and performance data to identify trends, opportunities and emerging risks.
- Produce forward-looking forecasts and strategic insights that support prioritisation, investment decisions and portfolio optimisation.
- Lead performance reviews and deep-dive analyses to drive continuous improvement and maximise value.
- Ensure reporting aligns with governance requirements, delivery milestones and regulatory obligations.
Strategic Narrative, Reporting & Collaboration
- Create compelling reporting packs and strategic narratives for executive leadership, Boards and key stakeholders.
- Translate complex analytical information into clear, concise recommendations that support informed decision-making.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on portfolio performance, delivery confidence and strategic interventions.
- Facilitate performance forums, workshops and governance meetings that promote an intelligence-led culture.
Quality & Assurance
- Maintain and enhance portfolio reporting standards, methodologies and governance frameworks.
- Provide quality assurance across projects and programmes, ensuring consistency, compliance and best practice.
- Conduct audits, reviews and performance assessments to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
- Support teams in applying effective portfolio and programme management disciplines.
Governance & Data Quality
- Work closely with PMO, Finance, Risk, Delivery and Transformation teams to improve data quality and reporting consistency.
- Drive robust data governance and assurance-ready reporting.
- Enhance reporting tools, visualisations and digital platforms to improve stakeholder engagement.
- Promote innovative approaches to portfolio intelligence and performance management.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong analytical capability with experience interpreting delivery, financial and risk data to generate actionable insight.
- Proven experience developing executive dashboards, KPIs and performance reporting frameworks.
- Experience producing high-quality reports and strategic narrative for senior leaders, Boards or executive governance forums.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly and influence decision-making at senior levels.
- Experience coordinating planning, forecasting and performance information across multiple business functions.
- Advanced skills in data analysis and visualisation tools such as Power BI, Excel and portfolio reporting systems.
- Demonstrable experience improving reporting quality, consistency and transparency.
Desirable Experience
- Experience within portfolio, programme or enterprise-level performance reporting environments.
- Experience preparing reporting and assurance information for regulators or external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of recognised portfolio and programme management frameworks such as MoP, MSP, P3M or P3O.
- Experience using portfolio planning and control systems.
- Professional qualifications in portfolio, programme management, governance or analytics disciplines.
- Power BI, data analytics or business intelligence certifications.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a complex and evolving environment. You'll work alongside senior leaders, influence strategic decisions, and help shape the future direction of major programmes and investments. If you're an analytical thinker with a passion for insight, performance and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
Portfolio Insights and Quality Manager in Birmingham employer: XC Trains Limited
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values analytical expertise and strategic insight, where your contributions as a Portfolio Insights and Quality Manager will directly influence key decision-making processes. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous improvement and professional growth, providing you with the opportunity to develop executive dashboards and lead performance reviews in a dynamic environment. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, we offer a unique chance to shape the future of our diverse portfolio while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that prioritises employee development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Insights and Quality Manager in Birmingham
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like XC Trains Limited!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Insights and Quality Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at XC Trains Limited, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at XC Trains Limited
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with XC Trains Limited’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
