Program Manager (PMO)

Portfolio Management Office (PMO) / Program Manager OpportunityThe hiring manager clarified that this position is not a traditional project management role focused on delivering individual projects. Instead, it is an operational Portfolio Management Office (PMO) role centered on workforce planning, budgeting, resource management, vendor oversight, and portfolio governance within the Workplace Technology IT organization.Key ResponsibilitiesSupport and manage the IT portfolio from a budgeting, resource planning, and operational perspective.Lead and coordinate the annual planning process, including:Budget development and forecastingResource and workforce planningContractor and staffing strategiesSoftware and licensing planningPortfolio prioritization and alignmentTrack actuals versus forecasts on a monthly and quarterly basis.Manage vendor relationships, Statements of Work (SOWs), contract negotiations, and third-party sourcing activities.Oversee workforce management activities, including contractor tracking, onboarding/offboarding schedules, rates, costs, and resource allocation.Facilitate collaboration between business leaders, IT teams, and external partners to drive planning and execution.Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate will be:An experienced Program Manager or Portfolio Manager with approximately 5–8 years of relevant experience.A strong individual contributor with no direct reports but capable of influencing stakeholders and driving accountability across teams.Highly skilled in relationship management, communication, negotiation, and executive-level stakeholder engagement.Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and proactively solving problems.Strong in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with a business-focused rather than technical background.Experienced in budgeting, financial management, resource planning, vendor management, and PMO operations.Top Priorities During the First Six MonthsSupport and drive the organization's annual planning process.Assist leadership with budget forecasting, resource planning, and portfolio management activities.Coordinate stakeholders across business and IT functions to facilitate decision-making and planning execution.Work EnvironmentHybrid work schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday onsite.Preferred location is Malvern due to the concentration of business stakeholders, though other locations may be considered.Recruiting and Screening ExpectationsThe hiring manager emphasized the importance of identifying candidates with genuine PMO and portfolio management experience rather than individuals whose resumes have simply been tailored to match the job description. To ensure quality:Candidates will undergo a thorough first-round screening process.Scenario-based and competency-focused interview questions will be used to validate experience.The recruiting team will present a small group of highly qualified candidates rather than a large volume of resumes.Initial interviews are expected to last approximately 30–45 minutes.Critical Experience AreasPortfolio Management Office (PMO) operationsVendor Management Office (VMO) functionsThird-party sourcing and vendor oversightSOW development and negotiationWorkforce planning and resource managementBudgeting and financial forecastingStakeholder management and executive communicationPrioritization and managing competing business demandsThis role is best described as a PMO/Portfolio Operations Manager position with a strong focus on financial planning, workforce management, vendor governance, and organizational planning rather than traditional project delivery.