Portfolio Manager

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. In terms of programme and project delivery, Defra has one of the largest and most complicated portfolios in Government.

We are seeking a Portfolio Manager to join the Strategic Change Function. We have a strong appetite to ensure that as an organisation we deliver policy and services, enable the department to modernise & change ways of working, live within our means, become high performing, and be valued by our customers.

The Change Directorate was establishedto support the delivery of changes required to meet this challenge. The post holder would sit within the Change Portfolio team. This presents an exciting opportunity to become a part of a team that is key to delivering critical organisational change initiatives.

This role is aimed at bringing about critical organisational change to deliver Defras Outcomes Framework, drive efficiency and shape the future of the organisation. You will be working in a high profile, fast paced team working across all areas of Defra including its Arms Length Bodies. You will support the efficient and effective running of Defras Change Portfolio, be exposed to a variety of projects and work with stakeholders across a wide range of areas across Defra.

As Portfolio Manager you will be responsible for the oversight of significant change initiatives that contribute to the delivery of departmental or business area objectives. You will focus primarily on providing insight, information and support that strengthens portfolio governance and enables prioritisation decisions and effective allocation of resources across the portfolio.

You will help to ensure the optimal delivery of departmental/business strategic objectives which will be aligned to Defras outcomes and wider government priorities. This will be through the analysis of information sources and engagement with programme and project stakeholders. You will use the appropriate reporting method to convert this insight to inform decision making.

This role is aligned to the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF) career pathway G7 Portfolio Manager, You can find more information about the PDCF on the gov.uk homepage (search "Project Delivery Capability Framework").

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate with business areas to identify and categorise new projects for a decision on entry into the portfolio, producing regular updates on pipeline projects to the relevant senior governance board.
• Provide clear governance frameworks and co-ordinate the reporting from projects across the Portfolio, including the analysis of performance at portfolio level for review by governance bodies.
• Provide secretariat support for governance boards.
• Maintain the portfolio delivery map and critical path to monitor progress across projects, tracking interdependencies across change projects.
• Co-ordinate the identification and monitoring of portfolio risks, threats, and opportunities.
• Provide recommendations for how finance and resources are allocated across change initiatives to optimise return on investment.
• Agree ownership and responsibility for benefit realisation, supporting the development of mechanisms for measuring benefits, by gathering and collating information regularly to assess progress towards benefits realisation.
• Map stakeholder interest and influence to determine priorities for engagement.
• Engage with stakeholders, providing updates, challenge assumptions and resolve issues.
• Be a visible leader, building commitment to a shared vision and sense of purpose. Support business areas to take decisions independently.
• Maintain the portfolio delivery map and critical path to monitor project progress. Identify and track interdependencies across change projects. Recommend the allocation of financial and other resources across initiatives to optimise the organisations return on investment. Develop strategies to address resource gaps.
• Provide effective line management for a team of SEOs and HEOs, supporting performance, development, wellbeing and delivery of team objectives.
• An active member of the Defra Project Delivery Profession Community.

Essential criteria

• In-depth knowledge and experience of portfolio, programme and project management (P3M) including governance, planning, scheduling, risk and issue management and benefits management.
• Knowledge and experience of resource management, business change and implementation and asset allocation in a fast-paced environment.
• Practical experience of assurance, budgeting, and cost management.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to maintain levels of performance in challenging circumstances and encourage others to do the same.
• Good analytical skills and the ability to interpret and use large and complex data.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence and challenge key stakeholders

Technical skills

Knowledge and experience of Project Management methodology supported by professional qualifications such as:

o PRINCE2 Practitioner

o Managing Portfolios Practitioner

o Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner / Advanced Practitioner

o Management of Risk Practitioner

o APM Chartered Project Professional

o APM Practitioner Qualification