Senior PMO Consultant / PMO Lead
- Abu Dhabi | Office based
- 9 Month Extendable Contract
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior PMO Consultant / PMO Lead to establish, design, and operationalize a best-in-class Project Management Office (PMO) for a leading Abu Dhabi-based organization.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing PMO governance frameworks, operating models, project delivery methodologies, policies and procedures, reporting structures, and portfolio management processes. This role requires a seasoned PMO professional with a strong background in portfolio and programme governance, stakeholder management, and organizational transformation.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of building PMO functions from the ground up and driving governance excellence across complex project and transformation portfolios.
Key Responsibilities
PMO Establishment & Transformation
- Lead the setup and operationalization of a PMO function from inception to full implementation.
- Define the PMO vision, mandate, structure, and operating model.
- Develop PMO charters, governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and standards.
- Establish project, programme, and portfolio management methodologies.
- Implement PMO tools, templates, controls, and reporting mechanisms.
Governance & Controls
- Design and implement governance structures and decision-making frameworks.
- Establish steering committees, governance forums, and stage-gate approval processes.
- Define project governance standards and compliance requirements.
- Monitor adherence to PMO policies, methodologies, and governance controls.
Portfolio & Programme Management
- Oversee enterprise project and programme portfolios.
- Support prioritization and alignment of initiatives with strategic objectives.
- Monitor portfolio performance, delivery progress, budgets, resources, risks, and dependencies.
- Drive portfolio optimization and benefits realization activities.
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Develop executive dashboards and portfolio reporting frameworks.
- Establish KPIs, performance metrics, and portfolio health indicators.
- Provide timely and accurate reporting to executive leadership and governance committees.
- Deliver insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
Risk, Issue & Dependency Management
- Implement and maintain RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) management practices.
- Identify, assess, and escalate critical project and programme risks.
- Ensure mitigation plans and corrective actions are effectively managed.
- Support proactive resolution of cross-functional challenges.
Stakeholder Management
- Engage with executives, programme sponsors, business leaders, and project teams.
- Facilitate governance meetings and executive steering committees.
- Build strong relationships across business and delivery functions.
- Influence key stakeholders to drive governance compliance and project success.
PMO Maturity & Continuous Improvement
- Conduct PMO maturity assessments and identify improvement opportunities.
- Introduce best practices, industry standards, and governance enhancements.
- Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and delivery excellence.
- Support capability building and coaching across project teams.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in PMO, programme management, portfolio management, or transformation delivery.
- Proven experience establishing and operationalizing PMOs from the ground up.
- Demonstrated experience developing governance frameworks, operating models, and PMO methodologies.
- Strong experience managing enterprise portfolios, programmes, and transformation initiatives.
- Experience developing executive dashboards, governance reporting, and performance frameworks.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and executive communication skills.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Preferred Experience
- Previous experience with Abu Dhabi Government or semi-government entities.
- Experience supporting large-scale transformation or strategic change programmes.
- Consulting experience within a leading advisory or professional services firm.
- Experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Preferred Certifications
- PMP (Project Management Professional)
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
- PgMP (Program Management Professional)
- PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional)
- MSP (Managing Successful Programmes)
- PMI-PMOCP
- Agile or Scrum certifications
- Prosci Change Management (advantageous)
