Director - Group PMO (Secondment to Client)

The Director of Group Project Management Office (GPMO) is instrumental in the success of our client's most critical strategic projects and transformation programs.

This position involves overseeing end-to-end PMO process for large-scale strategic projects in the company, maintaining transparency with executive leadership and shareholders, and championing PMO processes and frameworks.

Lead project management initiatives

Maintains an oversight of all programs in GPMO scope and surfaces potential risks for decision making by regularly liaising with stakeholders

Coaches BU/ functional teams to develop end-to-end program roadmap (e.g., timelines, value impact, implementation milestones)

Tracks and publishes reports for stakeholders (e.g., the Group CEO, Board) highlighting progress, risks, impacts, and decision points

Pressure-tests the robustness of initiative design and implementation planning of initiatives for programs, with support of relevant cross-functional stakeholders

Oversee delivery of tactical support (e.g., project NPV analysis, business case, scenario planning, market assessment, financial modelling, high quality presentations and dashboards) to relevant stakeholders (e.g., Group CEO, program teams) on a need-basis

Escalates and assists in eliminating potential risks and issues in initiative journeys

With guidance from senior leaders, ensures that BU/ functional teams recognise and execute opportunities of cross-functional synergies throughout the program lifecycle

Encourages Workstream teams to aim for full potential and efficient deliveryby enriching the idea pipeline and stress-testing confidence level of initiatives supported by relevant stakeholders

Establishes the ‘rules of engagement’ by defining cadence (e.g., forums, reporting), performance tracking architecture (e.g., stage gates), and decision rights (e.g., approvals, change requests)

Prioritize programs for change management interventions and support the mobilization of relevant stakeholders (e.g., top leadership, HR, Corporatث Communications) to design and execute change communication initiatives

Foster team development

Mentors and manages professional development of reports (e.g., Managers and Analysts) by identifying members’ strengths and areas of improvement

Surfaces potential talent gaps in the team and supports HR on hiring process to ensure talent acquisition and onboarding needs are met

Knowledge, Skills and/ or Abilities required

10+ years of total experience, including 4-6 years in leading management consulting firm

Advanced consulting toolkit and problem-solving skill in driving data-backed insights, developing business cases, conducting scenario planning, and devising financial model

Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to present clearly and persuasively to stakeholders

Advanced skills in project management and planning, with proven experience in driving integrated planning and implementation of complex projects with broad impact within time and budget constraints

Demonstrated ability to select and implement project management methods, tools, and metrics across planning, implementation, and value realization phases

Broad knowledge of initiatives typically undertaken in heavy industries (e.g., mining, manufacturing, steel) and keen awareness of their impact on the organization

Strong command of English; fluency in Arabic is an advantage

Exceptional ability to build and nurture relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders.

Strong organizational awareness – knows how to read organizational dynamics at the senior levels and navigate stakeholders

Proven ability to coach, facilitate, and influence people at all levels

Demonstrated capability to operate as a self-starter and take initiative without direct instruction

Comfortable working in dynamic, fast paced, and ambiguous environments with ever-changing situations

Cultural fluency and solid understanding of the UAE business landscape

Minimum education qualification

B.A./B.S. (engineering related field preferred)

Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field (MBA/ PhD is a

plus)