Head Programme & Project Management Office

Job Description

We are partnering with South Africas undisputed market leader in specialist insurance and alternative risk transfer solutions. As a key entity within one of the countrys largest and most respected financial services conglomerates they are renowned for pioneering innovative tailor-made solutions for an elite portfolio of corporate clients. This is a high-visibility leadership opportunity to build and mature a critical function that directly enables the companys strategic growth and digital transformation agenda.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer your mission is to lead and evolve the Programme & Project Management Office (PMO) from a support function into a strategic enabler of business value. Your challenge is to instill a culture of delivery excellence ensuring the entire portfolio of strategic projectsfrom technology and data implementation to business process re-engineeringis governed effectively and executed flawlessly. You will be the central point of leadership aligning executive vision with on-the-ground execution optimizing resource allocation and ensuring that every project delivers on its promise to drive the business forward.

Performance Objectives for Year One

• Establish a World-Class Governance Framework:Within the first 6 months design gain executive approval for and implement a new standardized PMO governance framework introducing best-practice methodologies and tools that result in consistent high-quality project delivery across the organization.
• Drive the Digital Transformation Portfolio:Successfully oversee the delivery of at least two key strategic digital transformation projects within the first year ensuring they are delivered on time within budget and meet their defined business objectives and OKRs.
• Build a High-Performance Team:Within 9 months assess restructure and develop the PMO team. Implement clear role definitions performance scorecards and a professional development plan that measurably improves team productivity capability and engagement.
• Implement Strategic Portfolio Prioritization:Within the first quarter establish and lead a new cross-functional Project Prioritization Committee. Implement a transparent process that results in a clear strategically aligned and value-driven project portfolio for the upcoming fiscal year.

Profile for Success

• A demonstrated track record of building maturing or transforming a PMO function within a complex financial services organization.
• Proven experience successfully delivering a portfolio of large-scale complex business and technology projects specifically digital or data-driven transformation initiatives.
• Extensive leadership experience including directly managing and mentoring teams of project and programme managers to foster a high-performance culture.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with a history of advising influencing and reporting at the executive and C-suite level.
• Minimum Requirements:A Bachelors degree in a relevant field a minimum of 10 years experience in business and programme management with at least 3-5 years in a significant leadership role.Experience within the financial services industry is essential.