Senior PMO, Lead PMO

Job Title: PMO Lead

Location: London
Reports To: Head of Delivery / PMO Director
Department: Project Management Office

Role Purpose

The PMO Lead is responsible for managing the Project Management Office function, ensuring governance, delivery standards, and portfolio oversight across strategic programs. This role requires leadership in establishing PMO frameworks, driving operational excellence, and enabling successful delivery of complex initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Standards

• Define and maintain PMO methodologies, templates, and best practices (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid).
• Ensure compliance with governance processes, stage gates, and quality assurance standards.
• Drive continuous improvement of PMO processes and tools.

Portfolio & Program Oversight

• Manage the portfolio of projects, ensuring alignment with business strategy and priorities.
• Monitor project health, risks, and dependencies; escalate issues and implement corrective actions.
• Facilitate executive reporting and decision-making through clear dashboards and insights.

Financial & Resource Management

• Oversee portfolio financials: budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Coordinate resource planning across programs; manage vendor relationships and contracts.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and delivery teams.
• Lead governance forums (Steerco, Portfolio Reviews) and ensure effective communication across stakeholders.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor PMO analysts and project managers; build capability and maturity within the PMO function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, IT, or related field; PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile certifications preferred.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years in project/program management with at least 3 years in a PMO leadership role.
  • Proven experience managing large portfolios in complex, technical environments.
• Technical Knowledge:
  • Familiarity with enterprise IT systems, cloud platforms, and digital transformation programs.
• Tools: MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Power BI, and PMO reporting tools.
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and portfolio prioritization.
• Governance and compliance expertise.
• Data-driven decision-making and reporting.
• Ability to influence and drive change across diverse teams.

KPIs & Success Metrics

• Portfolio delivery predictability (on-time, on-budget).
• Governance adherence and audit readiness.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and engagement scores.
• PMO maturity improvements and process adoption.