Title Delivery Standards SME
Reports to Head of Delivery Standards
Direct Reports N/A
Location - London or Manchester
Team - CFO - PPI
Background
The client believes in making Britain more connected, so we can all lead smarter, greener lives. We're a relatively young company, with a very mature assignment. Our universal, secure network will be in 30 million homes and businesses. That'll make it the largest network in Britain. The scope of what we do and what's in our roadmap is much further reaching than what the business was originally established to deliver.
The client is at a pivotal point of transformation, looking to enhance its operational efficiency and strategic execution. Our EPMO (Enterprise Portfolio Management Office) is at the heart of this change, driving the development and implementation of best practices across the organisation. We seek a dynamic and versatile Delivery Standards SME (Subject Matter Expert) to help us through this exciting journey of growth and innovation.
The Role
Change will play a critical role in enabling the organisation to achieve its strategic ambitions. With an ever-increasing pace and evolving customer needs, the business needs to ensure that its product and change portfolio is delivered effectively and efficiently. As a result a new Enterprise Portfolio Management capability is being established to plan, monitor, assure and report on delivery of all initiatives across the business.
The Enterprise Portfolio Management Office will be responsible for improving the strategic alignment and value for money of the change portfolio. It will ensure that: all change activity aligns to strategic objectives; there is transparency and clarity around change portfolio prioritisation, delivery and outcomes; there is increased focus on the outcome and value of change; delivery standardisation (in the form of best practice procedures, tools, techniques & methodologies) is driven into the organisation where it makes sense for there to be greater consistency and scalability; a capable change delivery community is created to enable greater sharing of best practices. It will also help drive the transition of the organisation to a greater product mindset and outcome-based organisation.
The EPMO additionally provides the objective 'single source of truth' view of delivery performance for the portfolio and leads the management / resolution of cross-programme risks, issues and points of contention to maximise effectiveness of change implementation. It also acts as the central custodian for information and knowledge management.
The Delivery Standards SME will define, own and maintain a set of standards and practices across the portfolio, with collaborative agreements in place with relevant stakeholders / teams to ensure full compliance.
Reporting to the Head of Delivery Standards, this role will be based in London or Manchester with travel to the other office being a pre-requisite. The role will require a minimum of 8 days a month in the office.
Key Accountabilities
- Own (define, develop & hold) the master materials (e.g. standards, templates & guidance materials) and maintain this library for consistent business use.
- Act as a Microsoft Project SME within the EPMO
o Develop comprehensive planning templates and standards ensuring alignment with the organisations delivery methodology and any regulatory requirements.
o Utilise Microsoft Project and Clarity PPM to prepare planning related reports and insights which facilitate decision making, liaising with EPMO colleagues as necessary to support broader assurance and reporting activities.
o Provide subject matter expertise, training and support on Microsoft Project and the planning process more broadly to delivery leads and other key stakeholders.
o Regularly review and optimise the use of Microsoft Project within the EPMO, maintaining and improving best practices to ensure continuous improvement.
- Own and maintain relevant reference channels - e.g. Intranet guidance pages.
- Reporting on adherence to the methodologies and standards by delivery leads, working with colleagues in the EPMO to ensure areas of non-compliance are effectively addressed.
- Provision of methodology subject matter expertise and continuous improvement of methods, standards and templates.
Skills and Experience
- Microsoft Project Expert - Significant expertise in Microsoft Project. Demonstrable expert proficiency in all features, functionalities and integration capabilities with company's PPM Tool.
- PPM Tool Expertise - Significant expertise in a range of PPM Tools (Clarity PPM Desirable).
- Implementing and Improving Delivery Processes - Demonstrable experience in supporting the implementation and adoption of new methods, standards and controls in a regulated environment or equivalent.
- Project / Programme Expertise - Strong understanding of project management standards, methodologies, tools and best practices having undertaken a similar role in previous organisations.
- Analytical Mindset - Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Flexibility - Adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Product Mindset - Experience operating in a product-driven and outcome-based organisation.
- Collaboration - Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with stakeholders at all levels.
- Effective Communication - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Resilience - Strong initiative and drive; self-motivated with an aptitude to work well under pressure.
Qualifications
- Batchelor's Degree in a relevant field OR equivalent professional experience in a related field.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner or other industry recognised certification (e.g. PMP).
- Microsoft Project accreditation preferred.