PMO Manager

The role:

We are looking for a PMO Manager to join our Transformation department in Bristol or London. This is an exciting opportunity to join Simmons & Simmons at a pivotal moment in its transformation journey. As part of our newly established Transformation function, you will play a leading role in shaping how change is governed, prioritised and delivered across the firm. From strategic transformation programmes and AI-enabled initiatives to operational and technology projects, you will help provide the structure, insight and delivery discipline that enables meaningful and lasting business change.

Reporting to the Head of Programme Management, the PMO Manager will lead the day‑to‑day operation of the PMO, providing oversight across the firm's portfolio of change initiatives. Working closely with senior stakeholders, project teams and sponsors, you will ensure that leadership has clear visibility of investment, progress, risks, dependencies, resource demand and business outcomes, supporting informed decision‑making at every level of the organisation.

This is more than a traditional PMO role. It is an opportunity to help build and shape a growing PMO capability at the centre of the firm's transformation agenda. You’ll have the chance to influence governance, improve delivery practices and establish processes that will underpin how the firm delivers change for years to come.

• Lead the day-to‑day operation of the PMO, supporting the successful delivery of the firm's change portfolio.
• Maintain a single, integrated view of all transformation, operational, technology and business‑led projects and programmes.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to provide insight on portfolio performance, priorities, risks, dependencies and investment decisions.
• Oversee portfolio governance, ensuring projects are delivered in line with agreed standards, methodologies and approval processes.
• Drive high‑quality portfolio reporting and management information for executive leadership and governance forums.
• Lead resource planning, capacity management and portfolio prioritisation activities.
• Oversee financial governance, including budget tracking, forecasting, investment reporting and benefits realisation.
• Manage portfolio‑level risks, issues, dependencies and change control processes.
• Facilitate governance forums, stage gate reviews and portfolio review meetings.
• Identify opportunities to improve delivery performance, governance effectiveness and project management maturity across the firm.
• Coach and support Project Managers and Senior Project Managers, helping embed best practice delivery disciplines.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Transformation function, PMO operating model and enterprise project delivery capability.

• Proven experience leading PMO, portfolio management or delivery governance functions within complex organisations.
• Experience supporting large‑scale transformation, business change, technology or operational improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of portfolio management, project governance, resource planning, financial management and benefits realisation.
• Experience developing and improving PMO frameworks, methodologies, reporting and governance processes.
• Ability to provide actionable insight and challenge to senior stakeholders and decision makers.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior business leaders.
• Experience leading, coaching or developing project delivery professionals.
• A collaborative, pragmatic and delivery‑focused approach, capable of balancing governance with pace and agility.
• Professional qualifications such as P3O, MoP, APM, PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent are desirable.

Career Level:

The career level assigned to this role is level 4. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level.

Here at Simmons & Simmons:
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