PMO Lead

PMO Lead

Job Purpose

Strategically lead the PMO function, manage concurrent project portfolios and programs, mentor Project Managers and Analysts, and provide executive advisory to the CEO and C-Level stakeholders on IT and Digital Transformation initiatives.

The role is responsible for managing, leading, and overseeing projects from inception to completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed quality standards. The successful candidate will drive the delivery of IT-related projects while supporting PMO governance, ensuring optimum communication and coordination among stakeholders, managing resources effectively, and navigating challenges to achieve project objectives efficiently and effectively.

The position also ensures compliance with organizational strategy, timelines, budgets, governance requirements, and consistency of project management processes across all projects.

Key Accountabilities

1. Project Management

• Manage multiple complex IT projects concurrently from initiation through closure, ensuring seamless dependency management and cross-project resource optimization.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop comprehensive project plans aligned with PMO frameworks, methodologies, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Allocate and manage project resources, including personnel, budgets, and materials, ensuring efficient utilization and delivery against agreed milestones.
• Lead project execution by coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring adherence to project plans.
• Monitor, control, and report on project performance, progress, risks, issues, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Identify project variances and implement corrective actions to ensure successful project delivery.
• Ensure project deliverables meet required quality standards and stakeholder expectations through effective quality assurance practices.
• Proactively identify, assess, manage, and mitigate project risks and issues.
• Successfully conclude projects through formal closure activities, post-project evaluations, lessons learned documentation, and resource release.
• Prepare and maintain project plans and schedules to ensure consistency with agreed standards, specifications, and timelines.
• Train team members and departmental stakeholders on project management methodologies and toolsets.
• Own and continuously evolve PMO governance, frameworks, KPIs, reporting standards, and capacity planning processes.
• Lead, mentor, coach, and performance-manage Project Managers, Project Coordinators, and Analysts to build and maintain a high-performing PMO delivery team.
• Design, standardize, and enforce project management methodologies, governance frameworks, tools, templates, and executive reporting dashboards.
• Champion Digital Transformation and modernization initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives and innovation goals.
• Provide executive-level portfolio reporting, strategic recommendations, and risk/issue escalation to the CEO and executive leadership team.
• Monitor activities of project team members, including external vendors and third-party consultants.

2. PMO Leadership & Governance

• Lead the Project Management Office and ensure effective governance across all projects and programs.
• Establish and maintain PMO standards, processes, methodologies, and best practices.
• Ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability across the entire project portfolio.
• Drive strategic alignment between projects, organizational objectives, and executive priorities.
• Manage multiple Project Managers and concurrent projects while ensuring successful delivery across the portfolio.
• Provide leadership, direction, and decision-making support to project teams and stakeholders.

3. Operations Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the PMO function.
• Provide project management expertise, guidance, and oversight to ensure successful project delivery.
• Foster collaboration and teamwork across business units and project teams.
• Ensure stakeholders achieve established project objectives, KPIs, and performance targets.

4. Project Management Office Programs & Guidelines

• Support and enhance project management methodologies, frameworks, and governance guidelines.
• Continuously improve project delivery processes in line with strategic objectives, timelines, and budget requirements.
• Promote project management best practices throughout the organization.

5. Selection & RFP Support

• Provide support and expert guidance during RFP development.
• Review and analyze tender documentation to ensure project requirements and scopes are comprehensive, accurate, and clearly defined.
• Support vendor shortlisting and selection processes.
• Conduct technical reviews of vendor proposals and submissions.
• Assess compliance with project requirements and identify areas of risk or variance before contract award decisions.

6. Testing Management

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define testing objectives, test strategies, test plans, and quality assurance requirements.
• Lead, guide, and monitor testing activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee the analysis, design, implementation, and execution of test cases, test procedures, and test suites.
• Ensure testing activities support successful project implementation and delivery.

7. Organizational Coordination

• Serve as the focal point between business units, suppliers, vendors, and internal departments on PMO-related activities.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure project success.
• Build strong working relationships across all organizational levels.

8. Policies, Processes & Procedures

• Adhere to all applicable organizational policies, governance frameworks, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure project activities are performed in a controlled, compliant, and consistent manner.
• Promote continuous improvement and adherence to PMO best practices.

9. Related Assignments

• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Act as a backup for colleagues when required.
• Support organizational initiatives and strategic projects as directed by management.

Candidate Profile

Mandatory Requirements

IT Background

• A strong Information Technology background is mandatory, as the majority of projects managed by the PMO are IT-focused and technology-enabled initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex technology projects and programs.

Bilingual Communication

• Mandatory fluency in both Arabic and English (written and verbal).
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, business stakeholders, vendors, and project teams across diverse environments.

Digital Transformation Experience

• Proven hands-on experience leading and delivering Digital Transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing technology modernization, process automation, enterprise platforms, digital services, cloud initiatives, data platforms, and related transformation programs.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Strong leadership presence with excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to engage, influence, and manage relationships with CEOs, C-Level Executives, Heads of Departments, business leaders, and key stakeholders on a daily basis.
• Demonstrated experience leading project teams and managing Project Managers within a PMO environment.

Project & Portfolio Management

• Proven ability to manage multiple Project Managers and large portfolios of concurrent projects simultaneously.
• Strong track record of successfully delivering projects from inception through planning, execution, implementation, and closure.
• Extensive experience in governance, portfolio management, risk management, resource planning, and executive reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in Project, Program, or Portfolio Management.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive project and portfolio management experience.
• Minimum 3 years of PMO leadership experience within Banking, Financial Services, FinTech, Technology, or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and transformation programs.

Professional Certifications

Mandatory

• PMP (Project Management Professional) and/or PRINCE2 Certification.

Preferred

• Agile Certifications (Scrum, SAFe, Agile PM, or equivalent).
• ITIL Certification.
• Additional PMO, Governance, Change Management, or Portfolio Management certifications are advantageous.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Project Management principles, frameworks, methodologies, and governance.
• Portfolio and Program Management.
• PMO Leadership and Governance.
• Resource Planning and Capacity Management.
• Risk, Issue, and Dependency Management.
• Vendor and Stakeholder Management.
• Executive Reporting and Dashboard Development.
• Digital Transformation Leadership.
• Core Banking, FinTech, Cloud, Data, and Enterprise Technology Initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to interact confidently with senior leadership and C-Level stakeholders.
• Ability to lead high-performing teams and drive organizational change.