PMO Lead – 2 Year Fixed Term Contract

Job Description

The Role

You will work within the core Programme Team, which is based in Canary Wharf, London. Limited travel is expected as part of the role. The programme is looking to build a strong, credible and highly capable team that can deliver consistently throughout the programme which will continue until 2028.

Job Overview

Clifford Chance is currently running a multi-stream Programme of works to deliver business critical and strategic activities with focus across buildings, space requirements, future ways of working, design and process review.

A PMO Lead (PMOL) is required to provide management support and structure to the programme and its projects. The PMOL will be responsible for ensuring programme standards are managed and adhered to along with day-to-day support of projects and workstreams across the programme to facilitate successful delivery of the programme's objectives.

Who you will work with

You will work within a core Programme Team reporting to the Programme Manager and working closely with the wider Programme team, including the Head of Workplace Transformation, Programme Leads, Business Change Managers, Finance Lead, Project Managers, delivery teams and external third parties. You will need to interact with stakeholders across the business at all levels.

You will be responsible for the management of the Programme Support Office.

What you will be responsible for

You will oversee the Programme's governance framework, making sure that there is a consistent way of managing documentation, processes and reporting across the programme.

You will work with the Programme Manager and Programme Leads to maintain the programme framework (including structure, process, audit, creating a culture of ongoing review and improvement.

In addition to the overall programme responsibilities, the PMOL will also assist the Programme's projects, helping the Project Managers and Programme Lead with administrative and process tasks.

The PMOL will make sure that the rest of the Programme Team are aware of the governance framework and provide them with guidance and support on tools and processes as needed.

What you will do

Governance Framework Management:

Organise governance meetings, working with consultant teams on agendas and diary management of key individuals.

Maintain and manage the governance framework, outlining processes, standards, and decision-making protocols, while ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations such as data privacy and risk compliance.

Regularly review and update the governance framework to align with organisational changes and best practices.

Create and manage programme templates, aligning with the consultant team.

Manage document control, including ownership of the iManage sites for the Programme and ensuring all master documents are saved onto the relevant sites. Document management also includes the use of CC Connect, an external document sharing platform.

Project Planning and Support:

Create and maintain comprehensive project plans, tracking progress against milestones and adjusting as necessary.

Provide support to project teams, ensuring alignment with the governance framework and facilitating the integration of governance processes into daily operations.

Monitor project timelines and budgets, reporting any variances and ensuring that project documentation is accurate and up-to-date.

Audit the programme to ensure standards and structures are maintained.

Maintain the RAID for the programme, ensuring alignment with consultants, determination of impacts and mitigations.

Change Management:

Support change management initiatives, incorporating governance standards into planning and execution, and engaging with stakeholders for effective communication and compliance.

Consultant Engagement:

Manage the engagement of consultants and external experts, negotiating terms, setting expectations, and monitoring performance against agreed standards.

Serve as the primary liaison for consultants, ensuring their contributions are effectively integrated into project objectives.

Financial Management and Reporting:

Verify and process invoices in line with contract terms, maintaining accurate financial records and providing financial status reports as required.

Prepare and maintain project documentation and provide insights for continuous improvement.

Team Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

Work closely with project teams to ensure a collaborative environment, sharing knowledge on governance-related matters and providing training to enhance team capabilities.

Helping teams confront challenges and performing conflict management

Assist on recruitment activities across the programme team.

Support the onboarding of new team members, contractors and consultants, including building and system access on a regular or ad-hoc basis as appropriate.

Qualifications

Your Experience

Experience

Proven experience in a PSO/PMO type role at a Programme level

Experience in problem solving and working to tight deadlines whilst maintaining high quality output

Proven experience around process definition and engineering

Experience of the Project Management tool Clarity would be preferred along with the Document Management System, iManage.

Knowledge of PMO / Project Management methodologies – e.g. PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), PMI, APM, PMP, IPMA

Knowledge about how to access relevant information outside of the programme office, other systems in the organisation, intranet resources etc.

Key Skills

Strong organisation and administration - pro-active, upward management

Strong people management, development and mentoring

High-level programme planning and detailed day-to-day task scheduling

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as the ability to interact with senior stakeholders

Ability to adapt within a changing and dynamic setting, taking an agile approach

Enthusiastic and effective project management

Strong document control and management skills

Good presentation skills

Strong report writing skills

Proficiency in Microsoft suite, primarily Project, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio.

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Company Description

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Additional Information

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

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