The PMO Manager, Foundational Transformation is a key member of the Portfolio Management Office (PMO) team, looking at our Foundational Transformation Initiatives, a set of initiatives focused on our core systems and processes are robust and efficient, enabling us to focus on where we can deliver the greatest value and supporting all our programming across Development and Humanitarian and in delivery through Partners. This role will also manage key PMO-owned governance forums across the portfolio.

Accountabilities

• Work effectively across the portfolio of initiatives with the teams to ensure they are held to account for delivery against the priorities and associated plans and to support them to remove blockers as they arise, reaching out to senior stakeholders in support of the teams where needed
• Collaborate with in-department and other department leaders to define, prioritize, and develop projects including supporting the Change Request process where required. This could include hosting triage calls, monitoring change request tickets and chasing for updates as required
• Portfolio level planning and management of controls at a portfolio level– including ownership of the integrated plan and associated dependencies across the Transformation and IT department
• Ensure ongoing monitoring of delivery and reporting of progress including resourcing, benefits, budgets etc. identifying and escalating issues where needed and stepping in to provide hands on intervention and delivery support to the Project Manager and wider team where needed
• Actively manage interdependencies between initiatives, ensuring these are properly captured, monitored and content specific interventions and priorities are clearly defined and actioned
• Play a key role in ongoing improvements in the Portfolio Management space including improving existing project management office policies and processes.
• Manage the preparation, facilitation and follow up for key governance and engagement forums including Transformation Steering Groups, Portfolio Progress meetings, stage gate reviews etc. As part of this, engage across multiple different stakeholders including Senior Leaders
• Train and coach Project Managers and Project Leads in the application of the Transformation Delivery Lifecycle and PMO controls to their project . In addition, train and coach Project Managers and Project Leads in the use of project management tooling, including the application of project management best practice using our tooling. Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in project management tooling
• Manage and maintain PMO dashboards and reporting at both project/initiative and portfolio levels. Produce regular PMO reporting and dashboards. Support projects to develop project-specific dashboards and reporting. Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement in dashboards and reporting
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to the initiative leads and wider team members as required, acting as a sounding board for questions and escalating issues as they arise to the relevant leaders in the team

Experience and Skills
Essential

1. Knowledge of project, programme, and portfolio management practices, standards, and methodologies with a minimum of five years of PMO experience in a senior analyst/manager role
2. Previous responsibility for managing a complex portfolio of transformation initiatives including system and non-system changes or at a minimum experience of leading a global transformation initiative as a Project Manager or equivalent
3. Demonstrated experience working with global stakeholders across different levels of the organisation from a broad range of contexts including experience setting up and working with project governance structures
4. Experience of industry project management standards and holding project management teams accountable to those standards as well as coaching skills to help build the capabilities of others in the area of Project and Change Management
5. Demonstrable experience of acting as a ‘business partner’ to functional areas e.g. Supply Chain, Finance etc.
6. Experience of working in a fast-paced environment with high levels of change and quick turnaround times, whilst delivering to the highest standards
7. Ability to resolve complex project issues, with a balance of pragmatism and rigour and delivering interventions to support the resolution of issues
8. Confident user of standard Microsoft applications, including MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. Experienced in using work management tools such as Jira. Previous experience of using project planning tools such as Planview

Desirable

• Non-profit sector knowledge/experience (especially international development projects)
• Second language – French, Spanish or Arabic

 Education and Qualifications
Essential

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a related field such as Information Technology, Project Management, or Business Administration is desirable.

Desirable

• External Project Management accreditation

 Working at Save the Children International  
Save the Children is the world’s leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.
We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children’s voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities  
DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.
We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.
Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.