Project Management Office (PMO) Lead

Introduction

About IBM:

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. It helps clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.

In this role, you’ll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (Delivery Centers), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centers offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Your role and responsibilities

A PMO Lead is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the project office. They possess solid business acumen regarding the program’s strategic direction and actively participate in planning strategies. They regularly review performance metrics and take corrective actions when necessary, ensuring that the program’s contracted service level objectives are achieved. They are accountable for tracking and controlling contract requirements and compliance and are responsible for managing the contract and financial management process. The PMO Lead also plays a crucial role in ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining business controls. They manage procurement and deliverables while providing guidance and structure to project execution. The PMO Lead is also responsible for defining and upholding standards for project management within the organization. To excel in this role, one must have expertise in planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling.

You will be responsible for:

1. Leadership and Strategy: Leading and managing the PMO, aligning project management practices with organizational objectives, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.  Advanced understanding of business line and a growing understanding of the overall company and the competitive environment. Exhibits strong communication skills, facilitating open dialogue and welcoming divergent viewpoints.
2. Process and Tool Management: Overseeing the development, implementation, and maintenance of project management methodologies, templates, and tools to ensure consistency and efficiency across projects.  Streamlines complex workflows by simplifying task management and improving interdepartmental coordination, leading to faster project completion.
3. Stakeholder Management: Collaborating with cross-functional teams, business leaders, and project managers to understand requirements, resolve issues, and ensure project alignment with strategic goals.  Brings new perspectives informed by a thorough understanding of a client’s business, industry, market, and technology.
4. Resource Allocation and Capacity Planning: Managing resource allocation, forecasting demand, and ensuring the optimal utilization of human and technical resources across projects.  Collaborates on cross-functional projects to tackle complex challenges. Applies innovative tools and emerging technologies to drive creative solutions.
5. Team–Focused: Develops and maintains collaborative relationships across departments. Utilizes group dynamics to enhance team performance.
6. Risk and Issue Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks, and developing contingency plans to minimize their impact on project delivery.
7. Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Tracking project performance against established metrics, generating regular reports, and providing insights to stakeholders to inform decision-making.  Drives initiatives to automate key processes, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors across the team.
8. Team Development and Mentoring: Coaching and mentoring project managers and team members, fostering professional growth and promoting a culture of excellence in project management.  Mentors entry-level employees by providing guidance and support. Applies a range of collaboration and communication technologies, including AI-driven tools, with increasing proficiency, thereby enhancing team interactions.  Supports experienced peers in the preparation for negotiations.  Extends network beyond immediate peers to include other groups in the organization.
9. Communication/Negotiation: Applies the principles of successful negotiation in collaboration with stakeholders to support project delivery. Provides advice to other professionals based on in-depth functional knowledge. Adapt communications and approaches to conclude negotiations with various partners, resulting in common agreements.
10. Autonomy and Impact to the Organization:  Exhibits autonomy in leading initiatives beyond the department, influencing project outcomes, and driving significant contributions to organizational success. Takes the initiative to make informed decisions regarding project direction, resource allocation, and timelines. 

Required education

Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred education

Bachelor’s Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

Required Professional and Technical Expertise:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. An advanced degree is a plus.
• Proven experience (minimum 7 years) in project management, preferably in a PMO role, with a track record of leading successful projects and transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) and tools (e.g., Jira, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet).
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with diverse stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience in crafting compelling narratives around project performance and benefits.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to derive insights and communicate project status.

Preferred technical and professional experience

Preferred Professional and Technical Expertise

• Knowledge of hybrid cloud solutions and IBM’s services is a plus.
• PMP or PMO certification is a plus.