Head of Projects (PMO)

EXCLUSIVE TO VICKERSTOCK

Large successful heavy machinery locally owned engineering firm who is an established supplier to global clients

The role is East Tyrone based with Hybrid WFH

Full time permanent position Monday to Friday (Early finish on a Friday)

What's in it for you:

• Basic of £68,000-£78,000 depending on experience levels
• Car allowance of £500 a month (£6K per year)
• Private Medical
• Life Assurance x 4
• Performance related bonus
• Hybrid working 3 days office 2 days from home

Overview:

You will be responsible for overseeing the full portfolio of the company's customer projects, providing expert knowledge and support to the project delivery team , monitoring progress and reporting on the portfolio status. There are typically up to 150 Customer projects per year, ranging up to the value of £15M, across the globe. You will work to ensure that all projects are consistently delivered in line with the project scope and agreed plans whilst ensuring effective communication and that relationships between the customer and project management team members are maintained. The focus of the role is creating, improving, and maintaining project delivery best practice while developing the project management team in line with business. A team of 15 at different skill levels will report to you (Project Engineers / Project Managers / Regional Project Managers) and your will report into Director level.

Responsibilities:

• Continuously monitor the health of the project management department and the level of project management maturity that exists within the current structure to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current way of working and identify the gaps between current practice and best practice. Implement changes to current practice to close gaps towards best practice in areas including but not limited to those outlined below
• Ensure that all project engineers and managers have a thorough understanding of their commercial contracts to ensure projects are delivered in compliance with contractual stipulations
• Continuously review the success of and identify any gaps in the project management governance framework with the support of organisational sponsors. Ensure engagement and adherence to the implemented governance framework. The Governance Framework should have a clear organisational structure and definition of project roles and responsibilities as well as clear methods for measuring accountability and performance, including some form of regular internal stakeholder review to ensure that senior management are always aware of any project issues or roadblocks in time to be able to take decisions to try to mitigate any such issues
• Facilitate and support improved inter-departmental integration and alignment with the framework across business functions to improve project delivery
• Ensure that the project management team is structured in a way that enables maximum effectiveness to organisational strategy and boosts its capabilities to deliver global projects successfully. Ensure consistent alignment and transparent structure. Balance the need for regional responsibility by ensuring that the correct level of experience and correct skillset of a project manager is assigned to each project in line with the contractual and commercial complexity of each project
• Manage and mentor the project management team to ensure a people centric, positive, supportive, and empowering team culture. Manage a stepwise pathway towards improvement and development of the team, including training and personal development pathways to develop the skills and experience within the team. Provide advice and expertise to the team where required
• Ensure that each team member has relevant objectives, that they understand how their work contributes to the organisation's performance and that regular performance reviews are carried out, with any underperformance identified being promptly addressed
• Identify and implement the most appropriate data gathering practices for monitoring, controlling, and reporting project data. Collect and consolidate key performance metric data, as defined by the portfolio governance framework. Utilise these techniques to measure and communicate the health of the portfolio and to make evidence-based decisions
• Where gaps are identified in the software or technology available to be able to complete data collection effectively or efficiently, work with the IT department to evaluate potential options and their benefits and propose the preferred solution, complete with a business case to senior management for consideration
• Standardise portfolio management methods and documentation. Utilise organisational assets and industry standards to establish consistent portfolio management practices to drive successful project delivery (adherence to scope of supply, budget, schedule, quality, documentation, and contractual obligations where applicable, to ensure customer satisfaction, whether internal or external)
• Strengthen learning and engagement throughout the business by creating communities of practice and knowledge management opportunities
• Monitor the portfolio performance on an ongoing basis, using reports, conversations, dashboards, and auditing techniques to ensure portfolio effectiveness, and efficiency and to maintain strategic alignment. Ensure consistent, accurate and timely communication of portfolio data across the business (including project budgets)
• Maintain current working knowledge of project management best practices

• To carry out any other duties within the reason and capability associated with this role

Essential Criteria:

• A minimum 5 years' experience in a similar senior project management type role where you have successfully overseen, managed and developing an established project management team within a similar engineering / manufacturing company
• A high proficiency in dealing with and working to high value contractual legal agreements
• Extensive people management and front end customer management skills
• Experience of project management and capacity planning software (e.g. ERP system)
• Degree educated in a relevant discipline

How to Apply:

If you are ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to drive operational excellence and support substantial company growth, we want to hear from you.

Please contact Hugh Nugent or Darren McVicker in absolute confidence to discuss this opportunity further. We are scheduling meetings with potential candidates over the next week to explore this position in detail.