POSITION: Head of PMO, SAP S/4 HANA

POSTING END DATE: 07/11/2024

LOCATION: Gaydon, Warwickshire (UK)

SALARY: Competitive

At JLR, we're on a continual journey to reimagine the future of modern luxury, and we want you to be part of it. Through our exquisite and timeless house of brands – Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar – we're defining a new approach to sustainability and providing exceptional experiences. As a leader here, you have the opportunity to influence the way we think, providing your unique insight and vision for a better future. It's time to become a proud creator.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT
 
We are seeking a driven individual with proven programme and people management skills to appoint to the post of Head of PMO. This permanent role will provide the opportunity to work at the centre of an ambitious and dynamic technology team which focuses on delivering value. The successful candidate will be an integral member of our Digital project delivery organisation within the Digital & Innovation team in Industrial Operations.

The successful candidate will be an experienced IT/Digital Senior Programme Manager who is capable of leading the delivery of a portfolio of transformation projects across JLR.

Specifically, the role will lead the delivery of multiple strategic projects with a specific bias to SAP, coordinating activities across multiple technical teams, business areas and third parties to ensure successful delivery of applications into the manufacturing, supply chain, purchasing and finance functions.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a track record of project delivery using both waterfall and agile methodologies. The individual will need an analytical and systematic approach to work, and enthusiasm for innovation and smart ways of working. Attention to detail, timely submission of reports, active management of risks, budget and resources are considered fundamental to the role.

Good communication and relationship building skills are essential, which will involve working with colleagues across the enterprise. The candidate will be expected to communicate in an open and unambiguous manner, have the skills to understand and rationalise conflicting points of view to reach an optimum solution and lead teams through empowerment and interpersonal skills.

This role is a senior management grade position and will be expected to line manage other Programme/Project staff, defining and supporting their growth plans, overseeing their accountability of work and actively broadening their skills and experience.

THE ROLE
 
Key Responsibilities

• Lead a programme team of PMO professionals, monitoring progress through regular reviews and maintaining close contact with all stakeholders
• Lead the successful delivery of projects, through identifying, planning and coordinating tasks, ensuring priorities, interdependencies and resources are managed effectively
• Proactively plan and optimise resources, supported by the Resource Management team, in line with business priorities so that a realistic delivery team and project is established and maintained. This includes sourcing and managing third parties and System Integration (SI) partners
• Plans, directs, and co-ordinates programme activities to manage an initiative from contract/proposal initiation to final operational stage; plans, schedules, monitors and reports on activities related to the programme, using the appropriate methodology
• Waterfall engagements: actively collaborates with cross functional teams and SAP CoE to ensure engagement occurs at appropriate points throughout the lifecycle of the programme to facilitate a seamless handover to operational support as part of programme delivery and closure
• DevOps and Agile initiatives: works with the Product Manager and Scrum Master to ensure required processes are followed to ensure delivery and continuity of service of the software products
• Leads the programme team(s) in determining business requirements and translating requirements into operational plans, as per the relevant delivery methodology
• Ensures that the programme is managed to realise business benefits and that stakeholders remain informed of progress throughout the engagement
• Ensure dependencies are identified and managed between the various workstreams within the project
• Timely reporting of programme/projects via the appropriate tools (Jira/Planview) in line with appropriate JLR delivery methodology and project governance processes
• Partner with relevant process owners and Product Managers to ensure that all project deliverables are met
• Lead the PMO organisation ensuring compliance and adherence to JLR Enterprise PMO standards and framework
• Manages third party suppliers and Solution Integration (SI) partners
• Establish and manage communication to users, management and directors as part of overall programme governance structure
• Accountable for all internal & external Audit and Compliance requirements, working alongside Corporate Audit and Business Assurance teams

Key Performance Indicators

• All project deliverables realise their intended benefits and meet time/cost/quality milestones
• Accurate financial planning / management of the project/projects to budget
• Timely resource planning / management (motivated & delivery focused team)
• Compliance to Project Management, Resource and Risk Management processes
• Stakeholder satisfaction
• Annual objectives will be measured as part of the JLR performance management process

Key Interactions

• Senior stakeholders/users within and external to JLR
• Digital Programme/ Project team members
• Service delivery management
• Vendor management
• Procurement teams
• Project Management Office (PMO)
• Finance Business Partners
• Digital resource management
• Enterprise & architecture function
• 3rd party vendors (Digital & Non-Digital) & strategic partners

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant experience managing complex IT change programmes/projects with a demonstrable track record of delivery
• Significant experience and understanding of delivering SAP application programme/projects
• In depth knowledge and demonstrable application of both Agile and traditional project management principles and practices, as well as the ability to blend them together in the right proportions to fit a project and business environment
• Solid understanding of software development life cycle models as well as expert knowledge of both Agile and traditional project management principles and practices and the ability to blend them together in the right proportions to fit a project and business environment
• Understands the need for and how to flex your leadership style to effectively manage teams working to a Waterfall v. Agile methodology
• Good understanding of DevOps and application thereof within a delivery environment
• Proven experience of complex senior stakeholder management, successfully balancing communications and expectations of stakeholders with different views
• Methodical detailed approach to work
• Strong analytical skills to identify how one issue can impact on another and put in place the required interventions through support and/or from own knowledge base
• Proven budget management experience managing large CAPEX & OPEX
• Ability to manage significant risks and issues
• Proven supplier management experience
• Commercially astute thinking
• Ability to work to tight timescales
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Comfortable and content with changes of scope and adapting plans/approach accordingly

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
 

• Formal Programme/Project Management Qualification/APM desirable
• Agile delivery background
• Competent user of Planview & Jira toolsets
• Experience of new vehicle launch or factory projects in an industrial company

Personal Profile

• Demonstrates our Creators' Code behaviours of Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth and Impact
• Demonstrable leadership and team building skills
• Enthusiastic, energetic character who motivates projects teams to deliver
• Extensive experience delivering SAP digital programmes/projects
• Extensive experience working on multiple large digital programmes/projects
• Self-starter, can work independently
• Able to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Willing to be flexible with working hours

Creating Modern Luxury requires a modern approach to work. At JLR, hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement providing employees flexibility around how, when and where they work. Some roles require more on-site work, but details of this can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview stage.

We work hard to nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please discuss these with your recruiter so we can accommodate your needs.

JLR is committed to equal opportunity for all.

Please be aware that we may close this vacancy for applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of interest. We strongly advise you to submit your application as early as possible.