Unit Head - Program And Project Management Governance

Job Description:

Unit Head - Program & Project Management Governance (UAE Nationals Only)

Abu Dhabi

Lead the Program & Project Management Governance function within Technology Transformation & Portfolio Management. Establish and maintain consistent governance, project assurance, portfolio controls and management reporting across technology programs and projects. Ensure initiatives comply with approved lifecycle standards, investment decisions, budgets, risk requirements and regulatory obligations. Build a capable and sustainable PM Governance team through effective FTE planning, UAE National development, succession planning, coaching and professional capability development.

• Establish, maintain and periodically improve the Technology project governance framework, policies, standards, templates and decision rights.

• Govern project lifecycle stage gates, required deliverables, approvals, exceptions and closure requirements.

• Ensure consistent application of PMO controls across programs, projects and transformation initiatives.

• Provide governance guidance to sponsors, program managers, project managers and delivery teams.

• Lead independent project health checks, quality reviews and assurance assessments based on delivery risk and materiality.

• Monitor scope, schedule, cost, benefits, risks, issues, dependencies, change requests and key decisions.

• Track corrective actions, governance exceptions and remediation commitments through closure.

• Maintain audit readiness and support internal, external and regulatory reviews relevant to project governance.

• Own portfolio dashboards, project status standards, data quality controls and reporting calendars.

• Provide accurate and timely management information for Technology Leadership and governance forums.

• Monitor delivery KPIs, portfolio health, investment performance and benefits realization.

• Identify trends, emerging risks and decision requirements, and
  ** escalate
  * * material concerns promptly.

• Coordinate portfolio and project governance forums, ensuring clear agendas, decision papers, minutes and action tracking.

• Partner with PM Delivery, Technology Transformation, Transformation & Enablement, Finance, Risk, Compliance, Audit, Procurement and Business stakeholders.

• Promote effective accountability, transparent decision-making and timely escalation across the portfolio.

• Develop the PM Governance workforce and FTE plan aligned with portfolio demand, approved organization structure and budget.

• Monitor vacancies, recruitment, workload, deployment, utilization, capability gaps and succession risks.

• Optimize the balance of permanent employees, UAE National talent, contractors and strategic partner support.

• Provide workforce insights and recommendations to the Head of Technology Transformation & Portfolio Management and HR.

• Create and maintain individual development plans for UAE Nationals and other staff within the PM Governance function.

• Provide role-based learning pathways covering project governance, portfolio management, controls, reporting, risk and leadership.

• Coordinate mentoring, coaching, job rotations, stretch assignments, knowledge transfer and professional certifications.

• Review development progress regularly, maintain evidence of capability growth and build succession readiness for critical roles.

• Lead, coach and develop the PM Governance team, setting clear objectives, service standards and accountabilities.

• Drive PMO maturity using lessons learned,…