PMO Manager

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.
Portsmouth Water are delighted to have an opening for a PMO Manager to act as the primary operational interface between programme delivery teams and the Head of Capital Programme Assurance in our Asset Directorate department. In this role, you will translate strategic assurance intent into embedded, pragmatic processes, enabling confident decision making and continuous improvement across the capital portfolio. You will also own PMO direction, standards, people development and manage all escalations to the Head of Capital Programme Assurance.

What will you be doing?
Key Responsibilities
• Lead and develop the Capital Programme Assurance PMO, setting direction, priorities, and culture.
• Manage team performance, capability, and budgets.
• Promote a consistent, high-quality, and continuously improving PMO function.
• Own and implement the governance framework across programmes and portfolios.
• Ensure robust assurance processes, gated reviews, and adherence to standards.
• Provide quality assurance, challenge delivery teams, and address control weaknesses.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory reporting requirements.
• Deliver integrated reporting across cost, schedule, risk, and performance.
• Focus on insight-driven reporting to support decision-making.
• Ensure accurate and consistent executive and regulatory reporting.
• Support portfolio deliverability and affordability with effective planning and intake balancing.
• Ensure alignment between plans, resources, and performance.
• Monitor trends and identify early warning signals.
• Own PMO processes, standards, and tools, ensuring consistency across functions.
• Drive ongoing improvements to PMO maturity and efficiency in line with business and regulatory needs.
• Oversee effective use of PMO systems and tools.

• Ensure high-quality, transparent data and reporting.

• Support continuous improvement of portfolio management tools.

• Set PMO priorities and determine readiness of governance submissions.

• Escalate key risks/issues with recommendations.

• Accountable for assurance delivery and portfolio insight (not investment strategy).


What do you need?
Skills, Qualifications & Competencies
• Significant experience in PMO, portfolio, programme delivery and/or capital assurance roles within a regulated / complex delivery environment.
• Strong understanding of governance, assurance, risk and performance management across capital programmes.
• Experience of leading or managing multidisciplinary PMO/delivery teams.
• Proven ability to turn complex programme data into clear insight for senior decision makers.
• Practical experience of integrated planning, performance reporting and portfolio controls.
• Experience in managing and/or reporting regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to challenge constructively while maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise across competing demands.
• Clear, confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills.
• Values proportionate assurance and pragmatic solutions.
• Analytical / Can do attitude.
• Project Management IT systems use and reporting (e.g. Fluid, P6, SAP, etc...).
• Microsoft suite proficiency (Excel needs to be at least intermediate level – use of formulas and pivot tables, integration of datasets).
• P3M3 understanding.
💬 We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.
📌 Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
🌍 We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

🛂 Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
📬 Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?
At Portsmouth Water, we believe in rewarding our people. Here’s just a taste of what’s waiting for you when you join the team:
🌴 Holidays Made Better
Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, giving you plenty of time to relax, recharge, and explore.
💰 A Pension That Works for You
We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15% – because your tomorrow matters as much as your today.
💸 Performance Pays Off
You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 6% of your basic salary, linked to company performance – because when we succeed together, you should benefit too.
🍼 Family Comes First
Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
🎉Social Events
All expenses covered summer and winter social events
🛡️ Peace of Mind, Always
Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.
🩺 Comprehensive Wellbeing Support
Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am–10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.
🧠 Additional Support When You Need It
We know life has its ups and downs. That’s why we offer Private Medical Insurance - provided by Bupa giving you access to expert healthcare and 24/7 confidential support.
🎁 PW Perks – Treat Yourself!
Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like:

• 🚗 Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year)
• 🚴 Cycle to Work Scheme
• 💊 Health Cash Plan
  …and so much more!