PMO Manager Jobs
A typical project management office (PMO) on a busy project is where the project is designed, implemented and kept on track by a team of analysts and assistants who are constantly monitoring processes and getting involved with the team to ensure smooth running. Keeping on top of this team itself needs a degree of oversight, which is where the PMO manager comes into the equation. He or she is charged with ensuring the change or transformation project stays on track by providing leadership to the team and reporting to the board and the relevant project managers and directors.
The overarching aim of the PMO manager is to ensure quality is maintained throughout the project. Although the PMO manager will probably not be hands-on when it comes to project management or analysis, she or he may be the person responsible for ensuring everyone in the office is up to speed and is performing well, and is therefore judged on the success of the office itself and how it maintains quality throughout a project.
The skills required
The PMO manager is primarily a manager of people. You need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a firm understanding of the project, its aims, and the activities being performed by the PMO team. It is your responsibility to ensure best practice is followed where necessary, and supporting and advising those in your team as they go about their business.
Experience of managing a project management office in the same sector is of enormous value. There can be significant differences between public and private sector offices, for example, with varying command structures and manners of working. You are also expected to report regularly to the board and to your line managers on the performance of your team. Some employers require a formal project management qualification such as PRINCE2 for an applicant to be considered for the role.
PMO Manager Jobs in Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, PMO Manager jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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Find PMO Manager Jobs with Cast UK
With the drive for improvement in change and transformation a constant need, there is always demand for good project management office managers over the whole spectrum of industries. And many of the organizations looking for PMO managers reach out to Cast UK to find them. That’s because at Cast UK, we have a team of dedicated recruitment consultants who only send forward the most appropriate candidates to interview, and it’s a philosophy that employers appreciate.
Whether you’re a PMO manager looking for a change, or you’re on a short-term contract and are researching your next opportunity, call Cast UK on 0333 121 3345 wherever you are in the UK.
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