PMO lead

Summary: The PMO Lead is responsible for developing and maintaining integrated project plans using Microsoft Project, ensuring alignment across various streams and phases of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This role involves managing deliverables, dependencies, and milestones, while also overseeing testing phases and facilitating program governance and reporting. The PMO Lead will act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing regular updates and ensuring effective communication across teams. A strong background in project management, particularly with complex multi-stream projects, is essential for success in this position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain integrated project plans using Microsoft Project to WBS Level 4, covering horizontal streams and vertical SDLC phases.
• Identify and document deliverables, dependencies, and milestones across all streams.
• Liaise with Stream PMs to establish give/get dependencies and ensure alignment.
• Baseline the plan and manage critical path(s) to track progress and risks.
• Perform impact assessments for changes in scope, schedule, or risk mitigation.
• Generate forward views and advise on slack opportunities and schedule optimization.
• Update plans with actuals at agreed frequencies (weekly/monthly) and re-baseline as needed.
• Facilitate program reviews, steering committee updates, and planning workshops.
• Ensure consistent use of planning language and formal communication across teams.
• Act as the PMO lead for the program, ensuring planning discipline and governance.
• Produce daily/weekly status reports, dashboards, and ad-hoc reports for stakeholders.
• Oversee the testing stream across functional, integration, UAT, and regression phases.
• Coordinate with QA leads to ensure test planning, execution, and defect management are aligned with overall program timelines.
• Track test coverage, entry/exit criteria, and readiness for go-live.
• Manage testing risks, environments, and dependencies with development and business teams.

Key Skills:

• 12+ years of experience in project/program management with at least 3 complex multi-stream projects planned using Microsoft Project.
• Formal certification in Microsoft Project or equivalent planning tools.
• Strong understanding of SDLC, Agile/Waterfall methodologies, and testing lifecycle.
• Proven experience in PMO governance, stakeholder management, and reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience in risk management, change control, and schedule impact analysis.
• PMP / PRINCE2 / PMI-SP / MSP certification preferred.
• ISTQB or equivalent testing certification preferred.
• Experience in enterprise environments (SAP, CRM, ERP, etc.) preferred.
• Familiarity with tools like JIRA, Confluence, Power BI, or ServiceNow preferred.

Salary (Rate): undetermined

City: London

Country: United Kingdom

Working Arrangements: undetermined

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other