Head of Programme Management Office 10 views

The Enterprise Programme Management Office (EPMO) are responsible for managing MCA’s portfolio of projects and programmes as required to achieve MCA’s strategic objectives and Business Plan. Further to this the EPMO are responsible for defining and maintaining the standards for project and programme management within MCA. This includes the implementation and sharing of best practice as well as the development and application of project procedures, tools and techniques in order to standardise methodologies and realise economies.

The Head of Enterprise Programme Management Office has overall responsibility for the work of MCA’s EPMO function. They will be required to develop and continuously improve a suite of EPMO services for internal customers. They will work with MCA Project Managers, Sponsors and other directorate PMO teams to support the successful delivery of MCA’s portfolio of projects and programmes. The post holder will provide expert guidance, support and insight on project management, and support the development of MCA’s project information and metrics.

The role holder will be working across multiple programmes with a range of diverse stakeholders. They will collaborate with colleagues across the MCA to provide strategic analysis and insight on performance at portfolio level for review of MCA Executive Team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on a dynamic programme, in a fast paced environment where you will be heavily involved in establishing the EPMO and how it works. You will experience exposure to stakeholders of all grades, including working with executive directors to support them. In addition you will have the autonomy to lead change, establish new ways of working and add value to the agency’s strategic goals.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Oversee MCA’s strategic project pipeline, working with business areas to identify and define new projects, providing regular updates to MCA’s Executive to prioritise and agree any additions to MCA’s portfolio.
• Oversee MCA’s portfolio delivery map to monitor project progress. Ensuring that any interdependencies across change projects are understood and the associated risks managed appropriately.
• Oversee a clear project governance framework and reporting regime aligned to the Government Functional Project Delivery Standard and wider Project Portfolio Management (PPM) best practice.
• Identify and monitor portfolio risks (threats and opportunities), planning and implementing responses to them and responding to other issues impacting the portfolio.

For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to be a qualified Project Management practitioner (APM PMQ, PRINCE2 or equivalent).

You will have experience of managing a PMO team, or experience as a programme/project manager on large programmes/projects. You will have the ability to think strategically and ensure continuous improvement of project management processes, utilising your knowledge and past experiences to introduce new ways of working.

A strong understanding of government governance processes and knowledge of project and programme controls will be a strength of yours. You will drive innovation and introduce the latest ideas, taking responsibility for building capability and professional development.

You will be a natural leader, with excellent managements skills. You can articulate and confidently communicate effectively whilst engaging with a diverse range of contacts, utilising your interpersonal skills to develop positive working relationships, but also have the ability to be persuasive when required.

Additional Information

This role will be based in the Southampton HQ (or relevant office).  MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.

The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service