PMO & Portfolio Manager

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a PMO & Portfolio Manager to join our proactive team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Full time, Permanent basis.

As the PMO & Portfolio Manager you will be responsible for the successful delivery and monitoring of the Business Change Portfolio of strategic change and corporate priorities.

Your focus will be on making sure programme objectives are met and benefits quantified for realistic and sustainable delivery. You will engage with stakeholders to influence the design of programmes and sub-portfolios and help manage the gateway for requesting new Projects within these.

We are looking for a candidate who has experience in running a large portfolio, stake holder/relationship management and driving improvement within a PMO framework.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of days 31 (rising to 36 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ An excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more! 

Key responsibilities:

• Responsible for the delivery and coordination of cross directorate, complex Programmes and sub-Portfolios working closely with the Programme / Project Managers to ensure successful implementation.
• Managing and developing the PMO and its tools, including the PPM Tool, to coordinate Programme and Project monitoring and management. This also includes the continuous improvement of the PPM tool to ensure opportunities are taken to maximise benefit to the council through process, training, enhancements and additional reporting capabilities.
• Accountable for maintaining Wokingham’s PMO Framework and processes whereby internal Project and Programme teams will ensure WBC has a sustainable, long-term approach to successful delivery. This includes the responsibility of leading and managing the PMO, supporting staff across the Council in the basics of Project Management methodology.
• Taking a relationship management approach to working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation including Specialists and managing key relationships e.g. Corporate Leadership Team, with Members, Business Partners and Senior Responsible Officers (SRO).

Candidate requirements:

• Proven ability in managing projects, portfolio’s, other managers and staff to achieve agreed outputs, within budget, including benefit realisation.
• Good inter-personal and relationship management skills with the ability to work with all stakeholders including Councillors, Directors, Heads of Service, officers, contractors, partners to agree and deliver the required outputs.
• Experience of leading a large portfolio of work that have significant interdependencies within a PMO.
• Good communication skills with the ability to express views clearly orally and in writing, to prepare reports and briefing notes for presentation to Project Groups, at Programme level, to Senior Managers or elected Members.
• Demonstrable ability to prioritise Projects and activities including the ability to handle competing claims on time, and to keep calm in a crisis or difficult or challenging situations.

Our Area 

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. 

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. 

Click the link below and apply today. Alternatively, if you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please e-mail Lewis Borges, Head of Customer Experience & Change: lewis.borges@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 26^th January 2025, 11pm

Interviews: W/c 27^th January & 3^rd February 2025

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.  

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. 

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.      

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.