Associate Director, Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO)

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution established in 199

• The EBRD's mission is to foster the transition towards open market-oriented economies and to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in countries from Central Europe to Central Asia. The organization operates in over 30 countries, employing approximately 2,000 staff members. The EBRD is committed to supporting sustainable development and fostering inclusive growth in the regions it serves, focusing on areas such as climate change, gender equality, and digital transformation.

Job Overview:
The Associate Director (AD) of the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) plays a pivotal role in leading the governance and oversight of the Bank's transformation initiatives. This position is integral to aligning the transformation portfolio with the Bank's strategic objectives, ensuring that the demand for projects is matched against priorities to create a balanced portfolio. The AD is responsible for establishing methodologies and tools for effective governance and reporting, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget while providing value and quality to the Bank. The role involves managing the Programme Steering Board (PSB), facilitating informed decision-making, and ensuring that business cases and change requests are thoroughly reviewed. The AD is also tasked with building the EPMO as a Centre of Excellence, maintaining transformation methodologies, and acting as a custodian of the Bank's Change Handbook. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying risks and issues, advising stakeholders on project management best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and agility within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Portfolio Management: Develop and maintain the enterprise portfolio strategy in alignment with organizational goals; oversee the annual planning process and ensure adjustments to the transformation roadmap are incorporated.
• Governance and Oversight: Establish and maintain portfolio governance structures, monitor performance, and report on initiatives, ensuring effective oversight and quality decision-making.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate portfolio value and performance to senior leaders, facilitate collaboration between business units, and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Resource and Dependency Management: Identify key dependencies, manage resources across the portfolio, and develop strategies to address bottlenecks.
• Methodology, Tooling, and Continuous Improvement: Develop and maintain portfolio management methodologies and tools, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and stay current with industry best practices.
• Agile Transformation and Leadership: Champion agile principles, provide coaching to teams, and lead the transformation to agile portfolio management.
• Management: Build and run an effective EPMO, defining roles and responsibilities, and hiring resources as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate extensive experience in portfolio and programme management within complex organizations, utilizing agile methodologies. A proven track record in strategic planning, oversight, and optimization at the portfolio level is essential. Candidates should have experience in managing resources, budgets, and benefits realization, as well as developing and enforcing project methodologies and tools. Strong leadership skills, adaptability, and the ability to build relationships across all organizational levels are crucial. Critical problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders are also required. Qualifications in Programme and Project Management such as SaFE, MSP, or MoP are essential, along with experience in agile governance practices.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in business administration, project management, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or certifications in project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) are highly desirable and will be considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in portfolio and programme management, particularly in environments that require agile methodologies. Experience in leading teams and managing complex projects is essential, along with a history of successful stakeholder engagement and resource management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the EBRD's operational regions is considered an advantage, as it enhances communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a short-term contract lasting 12 months. The role is based in London, United Kingdom, and is expected to be a full-time position. The EBRD promotes flexible working arrangements, with an expectation for employees to work in the office 50% of the time. The organization encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.