Job vacancy: PMO Manager, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading

Job summary

Main area: Corporate
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 193-7246881COR

Employer: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Town: Reading
Salary: £53,755 - £60,504 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 19/06/2025 23:59

PMO Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’. This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust. Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.

At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”

We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions

We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate

We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live

We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice

Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leadership & PMO Management:
• Provide overall leadership and direction for the PMO, ensuring alignment with the Trust’s strategic priorities.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardised PMO tools, processes, and methodologies to support project delivery across the Trust.
• Line manage PMO staff, including PMO Support Officers, providing guidance, mentorship, and development opportunities. Conduct regular performance appraisals and manage HRrelated issues.
• Ensure the PMO is resourced adequately to meet the demands of the project portfolio, balancing workloads across the team and recruiting new staff as needed.
• Lead on PMO strategy and policy development, ensuring continuous improvement in PMO operations and promoting best practices.
• Act as the main point of contact for senior stakeholders, providing updates on PMO activities and acting as an escalation point for any project issues.

Governance & Compliance:
• Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks for all projects and programmes, ensuring clear lines of accountability and decision-making.
• Oversee the development of project plans and ensure adherence to Trust policies and PMO methodologies.
• Ensure all projects have appropriate risk management strategies in place, regularly reviewing risks and issues and escalating where necessary.
• Lead the change control process for all projects, ensuring that any changes to scope, budget, or timelines are fully assessed and approved by relevant stakeholders.
• Produce regular governance reports for senior stakeholders, ensuring transparency in project performance, risks, and financial managemen

Person specification

Skills

Essential criteria

Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop staff. Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams in a high-pressure environment.
Excellent financial management skills, including the ability to manage budgets, forecast costs, and identify financial risks and efficiencies.
Highly developed project and programme management skills, with the ability to plan, monitor, and deliver complex programmes to tight deadlines.
Advanced analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Strong attention to detail, particularly in the areas of risk, resource allocation, and financial performance.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to a wide range of audiences, including senior stakeholders and external partners. Skilled in negotiating, influencing, and managing contentious issues.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work, manage competing demands, and deliver high-quality outcomes in a dynamic environment.
Ability to create structured plans for the delivery of projects, with clear objectives, timelines, and resource allocations.
Highly skilled in decision-making, particularly in relation to complex and ambiguous situations. Ability to anticipate problems, assess options, and develop effective solutions.
Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including clinical and non-clinical staff, senior executives, and external partners.
Strong understanding of governance frameworks, with the ability to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and best practices in project and programme management.

Desirable criteria

Experience in delivering training and development sessions on project management methodologies and tools.
Advanced IT skills, including the ability to use project management software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI).
Knowledge of benefits realisation and tracking, with experience in ensuring that projects deliver measurable benefits aligned with organisational objectives.

Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive experience in managing a PMO or leading large-scale, complex programmes and projects, preferably within a healthcare or public sector setting.
In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile) and governance frameworks.
Proven track record of financial management, including budget forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting.
Experience in resource planning and management, including staff and financial resources across multiple projects or programmes.
Demonstrable experience in leading and managing a team, including line management, performance management, and staff development.
Significant experience in risk management, change control, and managing project interdependencies.
Experience working with senior stakeholders, including board-level directors, with evidence of managing relationships and influencing decisions.

Desirable criteria

Experience of working in an NHS or healthcare setting with a detailed understanding of the operational and strategic challenges facing the sector.
Knowledge of NHS financial systems, business case development, and the commissioning process.
Experience of managing transformation or change programmes in a large, complex organisation.

Education

Essential criteria

Evidence of post graduate education to master’s level in or significant equivalent experience relevant to the role
Recognised project or programme management qualification, such as PRINCE2, MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), or equivalent.
Evidence of continuous professional development in project and programme management.

Desirable criteria

Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement certifications.
Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., APM, PMI, or equivalent).

Staff Benefits

Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on your work, life balance
Annual leave – 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff
NHS pension scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Money Advice Service
Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff
On-site nursery (based at RBH)
Full educational library services
Cycle to work scheme, lockable storage for cycles
Bus to work scheme
Excellent rail and bus links
A huge range of Health Service Discounts at hundreds of big brands from holidays to gadgets and restaurants to retail.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third party recruitment system (TRAC). All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, that as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Appointment to any position is conditional on the satisfactory completion of the core NHS Employment Checks Standards. Information disclosed in your application will be checked and any offer of appointment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information or provide false or misleading information. All new appointments to the Trust, with the exception of executive positions, are subject to a 6 month probationary period.

The Trust may close any vacancy prior to the advertised closing date due to the high level of responses we receive for some of our vacancies.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health of its staff, patients and the wider community by providing a smoke free environment. A smoke free policy is in operation and smoking is not permitted on any of the Trust’s sites.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults.