Projects and Portfolio Lead

Our client is looking for a Projects and Portfolio Lead. This is a pivotal role in the delivery of projects on our client’s contracted service accounts. The scope of accountability will range from pre-sales through to delivery and into closure, working with multiple senior stakeholders, both internally and with the Customer, to ensure successful project outcomes of time, cost and quality are achieved.
Our client is a leading independent technology partner, trusted by large corporate and Public Sector organisations to source, transform and manage their technology infrastructure, to deliver digital transformation. In the current difficult market our client’s financial results have been strong, they are in growth mode and 2021 has been a year of continued progress for them. They are a people-centric company and invest in their people through continued training and certification. The culture is a ‘can do’ one and provides great opportunity for career progression.

Key areas of responsibilities and accountabilities
Managing a portfolio of multiple projects, managing their interdependencies, resourcing and any proposed changes which may affect project priorities
Monitoring the quality of project outputs in line with our client’s standard project management methodology to ensure strategic objectives are met and strong financial management and control is maintained across all projects
Conducting portfolio meetings and attending project meetings where required providing effective assurance and support across the portfolio
Establishing effective working relationships with all stakeholders and ensuring effective portfolio communications
Ensuring that any Customer contracts for project work has been through the appropriate assurance checks before being released to the customer.
Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to qualify and create a roadmap for future development of project, processes and systems
Designing, developing and critiquing proposed project plans based on sound judgement and analysis
Ensuring portfolio resources are appropriate to enable the necessary delivery capability
Providing management, coaching and guidance to develop the effectiveness of the portfolio team
Ensuring that all members of the team are appropriately supported, heralded, motivated and engaged and that individual performance is managed in conjunction with their line manager.
Providing appropriate feedback on performance and approach and supporting the development of the team.
Ensuring that portfolio colleagues understand their roles and accept their responsibilities in line with the agreed governance process

Ideal candidate
You must have recent experience of successfully managing a complex project portfolio. Experience of operating and engaging at CxO level is required and establishing effective relationships. Owning and driving the commercial accountability of projects is required. You must be highly proficient in conducting portfolio meetings and providing effective governance and assurance on all stages of the project lifecycle from pre-sales through to delivery.
Our expectation is that you will be an expert in tracking and forecasting project finances, including all 3rd party costs. You must be articulate, a self-starter, have excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, and able to demonstrate experience in pragmatically solving problems. You must be able to provide support, mentoring and direction to a broad range of portfolio resources to ensure you have a high performing and motivated team.

Experience in Agile, Networking and Datacentre would be highly beneficial - really looking for someone with a wide breath of experience across a range of technologies.