Lead Transformation & Portfolio Improvement Manager
12-Month Contract | Group-Wide Remit | Hybrid Working
I’m supporting the search for a Lead Transformation & Portfolio Improvement Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of an ICT function during a period of strategic change.
This is a highly influential role focused on portfolio maturity, governance, operating model design and technology strategy — sitting centrally within ICT leadership and working horizontally across operations, PMO, business engagement and governance.
This role does not manage delivery teams. Instead, it provides structure, challenge, assurance and continuous improvement, ensuring that ICT investment, prioritisation and performance genuinely support organisational strategy.
Key Focus Areas:
* Strengthening ICT portfolio management, prioritisation and investment decision-making
* Providing independent challenge and assurance on business cases, value for money and delivery risk
* Improving visibility across the ICT portfolio (run + change), including funding, capacity, dependencies and risk
* Contributing to the development of the Technology Strategy (2026–29) and technical roadmap
* Designing a Target Operating Model for the future ICT function
* Identifying and shaping “Invest to Save” initiatives (automation, consolidation, data and AI-enabled improvements)
* Improving PMO maturity, governance cadence, reporting quality and demand management
* Strengthening alignment between change delivery and live operations
* Acting as a catalyst for innovation while maintaining proportionate risk and control
What We’re Looking For:
* Significant experience shaping or leading ICT portfolio management in a complex public sector, higher education or not for profit enviroment
* Proven ability to provide constructive challenge to senior leaders on investment, prioritisation and delivery trade-offs
* Experience contributing to or developing IT / Digital strategies and technology roadmaps
* Strong understanding of governance, assurance and risk management frameworks
* Ability to work at pace, influence without authority, and bring clarity where there is ambiguity
* Excellent communication, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills
Why This Role:
* High-impact, strategic remit
* Direct exposure to senior leadership and governance forums
* Opportunity to shape long-term ICT direction, not just delivery
* Visible outcomes across strategy, structure and portfolio maturity
If this sounds aligned with your background, feel free to message me directly or apply for a confidential discussion.