PMO Performance Lead - Infrastructure

Our global Infrastructure team works across the transport, utilities, power and defence industries. Our infrastructure experience and expertise enable us to develop and deliver comprehensive solutions, managing complexity and helping our clients meet their goals.

The project

A significant transport infrastructure project in Ireland.

The role

The PMO Performance Lead will be responsible for all project controls activities as they relate to the project, leading a centralised PMO service that supports the continuous improvement of the project. The appointed person will be responsible for the provision of insight, information, data, and support in the oversight of the Client team (and supply chain’s) performance, fostering a cross-functional environment.

The role holder will be required to assist in the development and implementation of a structured and strategic approach to controlling and assuring the delivery of the project.
The role holder will work with the PMO Establishment Lead to seamlessly transition into PMO operations the processes, tools, etc. developed within the PMO Establishment workstream.

The PMO Performance Lead will lead and oversee the existing / interim project controls processes, portfolio schedule, reporting dashboards, metrics, and procedures in place, and will additionally identify areas for improvement and optimisation to inform the PMO Establishment workstream, whilst complying with existing governance and corporate requirements.

The PMO Performance Lead shall act as a source of expert advice, supporting the appropriately skilled and experienced resources across the sub-functions within the Programme Management Office prior to the appointment of the Major Infrastructure Contracts.

Responsibilities

• Implementing a structured and strategic approach to controlling and assuring the delivery of the project, including the following areas:
  • Scheduling and resourcing
  • Risk and opportunity management
  • Cost and estimating
  • Performance and reporting
  • Governance
  • Business support
• Establishing and leading the function, including people / talent management, and leading through change.
• Managing the Programme Management Office (PMO) function.
• Providing direction to the project on all programme management office functionality, including resourcing and capability development for all project controls resource.
• Overseeing the deployment of effective and consistent working practices and standards which support delivery of the Programme (e.g. Risk, Schedule, Cost, Quality, Benefits).
• Managing the portfolio of projects and external / internal performance measurement against agreed performance indicators / service level agreements.
• Leading the development and provision of best practice and continuous improvement.
• Ensuring alignment with overall project business strategy.
• Develop, implement, and maintain performance baselines (including scope, cost, schedule, and risk), including the development of annual performance management plans as required.
• Accountable for enabling effective programme delivery across the Project through setting the project controls standards, policies and processes (including cost management & estimating, risk management, schedule management, change management and performance reporting).
• Accountable for the appropriate deployment of specialist project controls resources into the functional teams.
• Accountable for leading the ongoing management and administration of the project controls systems and data platform to allow expedient, accurate, and effective performance reporting and analysis.
• Accountable for reporting and monitoring project-wide performance.
• Accountable for Enterprise / Strategic Risk Management and ownership of the overarching frameworks and processes.
• Produce high quality, current, complete, insightful, and compliant performance information to enable transparent performance discussions and reporting throughout the programme and key stakeholders.
• Provide functional leadership including the development and ownership of the relevant competency frameworks, setting objectives, and reviewing objectives and ensuring employees have the necessary skills and understanding to deliver the team’s objectives.
• Maintain an up-to-date estimate at completion (EAC), which can be used to inform funding arrangements and future performance baselines.
• Responsible for the financial management of Programme Controls budgets.
• Maintain a single source of truth that can be used for Project and CP performance measurement and reporting.
• Undertake what-if scenarios.
• Establish an appropriate drumbeat of cross functional reviews of Schedule, Risk, Issues and Performance.

Requirements

Knowledge

• Minimum of 20 years working in programme / project controls, with 10+ years’ experience leading PMO functions for large infrastructure programmes, preferably within transport projects or projects of a similar scale and complexity.
• Experience providing strategic leadership and direction in project controls across capital projects / programmes and multi-discipline teams, establishing effective frameworks and processes.
• Expert knowledge of project scheduling software (e.g. P3e, MS Project) and interfacing control systems (e.g. Excel, web portals, Information Management Systems).
• Experience working on PPP projects would be advantageous.

Skills

• Ability to manage multiple technical requirements and teams within a construction environment, managing technical outputs to drive efficiency.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to establish robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders and teams.
• Strategically minded with a considered and consistent approach to decision-making and leadership.
• Ability to create a collaborative culture across the project team, governing and driving outcomes to ensure high quality service delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum level 8 degree (or equivalent) in relevant subject, e.g. engineering, supply chain, procurement, quantity surveying).
• Level 9 Masters (or equivalent) in relevant field would be advantageous.
• Chartered member of a relevant professional body preferred, e.g. chartered engineer (IEI or equivalent), chartered project professional (APM or equivalent) or programme management professional (PMI or equivalent).