To lead the Group’s Projects function to successfully deliver all strategic projects enabling the Company’s Growth strategy to time, cost, and quality as per agreed business cases, and in line with the Company’s PMO Policy. To build and develop a strategic Projects and PMO function that delivers complex and high value projects in line with industry best practice, standards and quality.
This role requires strong leadership, collaboration across all functions, meticulous planning and due diligence, cost management and strategic thinking to ensure we deliver most value with finite resources.
Scope of accountability
As the Head of Projects Delivery, you will lead the professional execution of all strategic projects across the Group. Such projects will include legislative changes, site expansion or new development initiatives, product innovation and/or strategic change across the business. This role has accountability for all budgeted spend associated with project delivery.
As per the Group’s PMO Policy, this role excludes business as usual initiatives that are designed to maintain and/or continuously improve the Company’s current operations. This is a Group role and covers all the countries in the Company’s portfolio.
Areas of responsibility
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and communicate the strategic vision and goals for the PMO, aligning with the company's commitment to sustainable waste and environmental management.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure that projects support the company's overall mission and objectives and have clear outcomes they are seeking to address.
- Collaborate with peers in the Growth team across Strategy, Estates Management, Planning, Licencing & Portfolio Management to ensure that any pre project business case and due diligence is fit for purpose prior to sign off, ensuring that projects are set up for success at the outset.
PMO Governance and Standards
- Establish and maintain project management standards, methodologies, and governance frameworks specific to the waste and environmental management industry and in line with industry best practice.
- Define and enforce PMO policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Ensure that all reporting of strategic projects is consistent, systemised, a single version of the truth and to the highest standard to promote ease of understanding at all levels of the organisation.
- In collaboration with Finance, ensure that all cost management and forecasting against projects is robust and timely each month, and represents a single version of the truth.
- Establish and maintain a robust resource management framework and plan, including personnel, budget, equipment, and technology, ensuring that the function has the capability to flex and has the correct skills, knowledge and expertise to successfully deliver projects, using both in-house and external resource.
- Conduct capacity planning and resource forecasting to align resource allocation with project priorities and business objectives.
- Establish, maintain and proactively manage a single view of delivery risk in line with the Company’s risk management framework, so that projects are delivered to time, cost and quality.
Project Delivery
- Effectively monitor project performance, track key milestones, and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with agreed customer outcomes and quality measures.
- In collaboration with procurement, ensure that where third party contractors are used in the delivery of a project, Statement of Works are clearly defined, understood and align with the overall objectives of the project, ensuring value for money and quality outputs.
- Build competency and capability in the team to ensure that the right skills, experience and knowledge are assigned to each project, in line with the resource management framework.
- Establish and maintain an effective handover process and criteria for handing over project outputs to business as usual.
- Establish and maintain an effective project closure system, ensuring clear ownership and tracking of benefits and outcomes.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, regulatory agencies, environmental organisations, and internal teams.
- Provide regular communication and reporting on project status, progress, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders at all levels.
Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of project managers and PMO professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and continuous learning.
- Provide guidance and support on project management methodologies, tools, and techniques relevant to the waste and environmental management sector.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Establish quality assurance processes to ensure that project deliverables meet the company's quality standards, regulatory requirements, and environmental performance objectives.
- Ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations, health and safety standards, and industry best practices.
Experience and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in PMO, change or portfolio management and/or engineering or related field.
- 7+ years of experience in PMO and project management, with a focus on waste management, environmental services, or related industries.
- Strong leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making skills.
- Expertise in project management methodologies, tools, and techniques. Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2)
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Knowledge of environmental regulations (e.g., EPA, OSHA) are highly desirable.