Job Description
Position: PMO Lead
Location: Lincoln
Reports to: Programme Director
We are seeking an experienced PMO Lead to drive excellence in project delivery across our growing portfolio of public sector transformation programmes. This role combines strategic PMO leadership with hands-on programme management, requiring a dynamic professional who can establish robust governance frameworks whilst maintaining agility in complex government environments.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic PMO Leadership: Establish and maintain PMO standards, methodologies, and governance frameworks across multiple concurrent public sector programmes, ensuring alignment with client requirements and organisational objectives
* Programme Oversight: Provide senior-level programme management support, including portfolio reporting, risk management, and issue escalation across programmes ranging from £50m+ in value
* Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with senior civil servants, government officials, and public sector executives, facilitating effective communication and decision-making at SRO
* Governance & Assurance: Design and implement robust governance structures, including steering committees, programme boards, and assurance processes that meet HMT Green Book and departmental requirements
* Resource Management: Oversee resource allocation, capacity planning, and budget management across the PMO function, ensuring optimal utilisation and commercial performance
* Quality Assurance: Maintain delivery excellence through systematic quality reviews, lessons learned processes, and continuous improvement initiatives
* Risk & Issue Management: Develop comprehensive risk management frameworks, maintaining programme-level risk registers and implementing effective mitigation strategies
* Digital Transformation: Lead PMO support for digital and technology transformation programmes, working closely with technical teams and ensuring alignment with government digital standards
* Business Development Support: Contribute to bid responses and client presentations, leveraging PMO expertise to win new work and expand existing client relationships
* Knowledge Management: Establish knowledge-sharing practices and maintain organisational learning capabilities to enhance future delivery capabilities
Qualifications
Essential Requirements:
* Experience: Minimum 5 years in senior PMO roles, with at least 4 years in UK public sector environments
* Qualifications: PRINCE2 Practitioner certification; degree in business, management, or related field
* Leadership: Proven track record of leading PMO teams (10+ people) and managing multiple complex programmes simultaneously
* Public Sector Knowledge: Deep understanding of government processes, HMT guidelines, and departmental operating models
* Methodologies: Expert knowledge of PRINCE2, MSP, and Agile delivery approaches in government contexts
* Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior civil servants and political stakeholders
* Commercial Acumen: Strong budget management skills and understanding of consultancy commercial models
* Security Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain UK security clearance
Desirable Requirements:
* Advanced Qualifications: MSP Practitioner, Agile certifications (SAFe, Scrum Master), or equivalent
* Sector Expertise: Specific experience in health, justice, education, or local government transformation
* Digital Delivery: Experience with GDS standards, digital service delivery, and technology transformation
* Change Management: Formal change management certification or extensive practical experience
Key Competencies:
* Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate complex requirements into practical delivery approaches
* Emotional Intelligence: Strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence and negotiate at all organisational levels
* Adaptability: Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments with changing requirements
* Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting
* Problem-Solving: Analytical mindset with ability to identify solutions to complex delivery challenges
* Resilience: Capability to maintain performance under pressure while managing multiple competing priorities
Additional Information
Why Version 1?
At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing, professional growth, and financial stability.
* Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme, where employees collectively benefit from a share of our company's profits.
* Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
* Flexible/remote working, Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and people’s individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance.
* Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Pension, Private Healthcare Cover, Life Assurance, Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme.
* Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts, Bike to Work, Fitness classes, Mindfulness Workshops, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Generous holiday allowance, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies.
* Educational assistance, incentivised certifications, and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.
* Reward schemes including Version 1’s Annual Excellence Awards & ‘Call-Out’ platform.
* Environment, Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity, inclusion and belonging schemes.