Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment. Internal Redeployment Only - PMO Specialist Services Manager The Specialist Services Manager is responsible for managing a PMO specialist services function for the university transformation and change portfolios, which includes a collection of programmes and projects. The role will support the development and maintenance of portfolio, programme and project activities aligned to the Project Management Framework, covering: best practice programme and project methodologies, processes, forecasting and principles across Cardiff University. This appointment has arisen due to the secondment of the current postholder. Working with the Head of PMO, other PMO Specialist Services Manager(s), and the PMO Team, the role holder will be expected to: • Maintain and evolve the PMO ‘Best Practices’ in key Project Management Themes to support and advise Senior Management and project delivery teams • Lead the improvement (and support use) of all relevant elements of toolsets and processes in relation to the following areas: financial tracking, benefits management, risk and issue management, and governance Provide regular reports for Senior management and the Executive team on both project/programme benefits and finances. This post is full-time and fixed term to 30 November 2026. Salary: £40,497 - £45,413 per annum (Grade 6) For an informal discussion regarding this role please contact Allison Hanbury, Head of PMO, hanburya2@cardiff.ac.uk Closing date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025 Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. Job Description Working with the Head of PMO, other PMO Specialist Services Manager(s), and the PMO Team, the role holder will be expected to: • Establish the PMO ‘Best Practices’ in key Project Management Themes to support and advise Senior Management and project delivery teams • Lead the improvement and support all relevant elements of toolsets and processes in relation to at least 3 of the following areas: project planning, financial tracking, benefits management, resource identification, capacity management, risk and issue management and governance. The job requires the role holder to: Provide line management duties, leadership and coaching to a PMO Specialist Services Officer and any new roles created to deliver specialist services Maintain a “Centre of Excellence” which underpins the objective of creating a unified and uniform approach to Programme and Project Management across Cardiff University Collaborate with programme and project managers, finance, resource management, cost and benefits management and wider PMO support teams to ensure adequate control and tracking mechanisms are in place and regular programme and project reporting is established, supported by e.g. programme documentation packs including but not limited to project plans, risk registers, financial reports and resource forecasts Establish the necessary infrastructure required to implement and manage up to 3 of the Project Management Framework Themes: Benefits Management; Financial Management; Risk and Issue Management; Resource Management; Planning and Reporting; Governance Lead identification activities relevant to the PMF Themes on behalf of Programme & Project Managers Develop and maintain tools for planning, tracking and reporting relevant to the PMF Themes Facilitate agreement of any proposed strategies, plans and reports between key Stakeholders, Programme Managers and Business Change Managers Link into the Finance team and systems to ensure that funding sources are clearly identified and any changes to future budgets are established and transferred Collect and analyse portfolio, programme, and project information relevant to the PMF in liaison with the Subject Matter Experts. For example,, review and track programme and project costs. Calculate and analyse cost variances. Review and report significant Risks and Issues. Prepare Benefits Trackers. Analyse resource requirements. Prepare reports on portfolios and projects for presentation to steering groups and University Executive Board (UEB) (where appropriate. For example, costs and benefits, resource and capacity, risks and issues Extracting information from Programme and Project Managers, work with finance and PMO colleagues to produce a portfolio finance and resource map detailing the phasing of spend by revenue and capital across the portfolios of change and their respective programmes and projects taking into the account the timing of the spend and any tangible benefit realisation From each programme and project PMF Theme reports, produce a finance, resource and capacity risk profile across the portfolio of change highlighting any issues, risks, and potential conflicts with business-as-usual and savings activities Support programme and project managers with specialist advice to manage their programmes and projects and report on opportunities for creating efficiencies, reducing risk and realising savings across the portfolio Assist with the development and refining of programme and project business cases. Act as a point of quality assurance in relation to programme and project business case management ensuring that cost control and benefit realisation and risk management activities are in place and adequately managed at a portfolio, programme, and project level. Assess the impact of any benefit or risk arising from change requests or service improvements throughout any given project lifecycle Design and deliver presentations and training related to the Project Management Theme, preparing slides, scripts, template documents, guidance materials and workshops Take decisions within appropriate boundaries, and to clarify those boundaries as required; encourage members of programme and project teams to take responsibility in a similar way Any other duties required by the Director of Transformation Delivery, or other University senior management which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role. To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures, and codes as appropriate. To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, EC directives and the University’s Safety, Health and Environment Policies and procedures and to cooperate with the University on any legal duties placed on it as the employer. Essential Criteria Knowledge and Skills Demonstrable knowledge and experience of at least 3 of the Project Management Themes: Benefits Management; Financial Management; Risk and Issue Management; Resource Management; Planning and Reporting; Governance Strong financial and/or resource and capacity management knowledge, acumen and numeracy skills ideally gained within a project management transformational or financial control environment Development of business cases either within a business transformation programme or a capital estates programme Able to lead a team, with experience of providing training and support, and setting standards for measuring performance. Able to broker relationships with stakeholders at all levels, demonstrating the sensitivities required to balance and resolve the tensions in working with a wide range of contacts (both internally and externally at senior level). Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate at all levels, with both technical and non-technical audiences, and to simplify complex issues and concepts, both through presentations and through clear written documents. Strong analytical skills with proven experience of solving complex problems and advanced excel and spreadsheet skills Qualifications (IT/Academic/Vocational) A degree or equivalent experience / professional qualifications such as/ accountancy, finance management, project/programme management qualification. Experience Experience and understanding of finance, portfolio, programme and project methodologies. Strong competencies in the use of common IT software applications (especially Microsoft Office, MSPO, Oracle, Monday.com, Miro, Jira or similar) Desirable Criteria Knowledge of the Higher Education Sector Experience of working in a large- scale change programme, either business change or estates Welsh Speaker