Kanerika - Head - PMO

Head - PMO

- The Head of PMO (Project Management Office) is a senior leadership position, reporting into CEO, responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, governance, and performance of project management activities within an organization.

- This role involves leading a team of project managers, scrum masters, compliance, and audit team, to ensure the successful delivery of projects in alignment with organizational goals and industry standards.

- The Head of PMO plays a critical role in driving project success, maintaining high standards of quality, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. This position requires strong leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills, as well as a deep understanding of project management methodologies and best practices.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategic plans for project management practices aligned with the organization's objectives and CMMI Level 3 requirements. Measure success through the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to project alignment and strategic goals.

Project Governance: Establish project governance frameworks, policies, and procedures to ensure projects adhere to quality standards, timelines, and budgets. Accountable for maintaining project compliance with established governance metrics and for addressing any deviations promptly.

Team Management: Lead and develop the PMO team, including project managers, scrum masters, compliance, and audit team, to ensure a high-performing and cohesive unit. Accountable for team performance, professional development, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the PMO to enhance project delivery efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. Measure improvement through quantifiable metrics such as cycle time reduction, cost savings, and client satisfaction scores.

Resource Management: Oversee resource allocation, including staffing, training, and development, to optimize project delivery capabilities. Accountable for resource utilization rates, employee retention, and skill enhancement initiatives within the PMO.

Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks to ensure successful project outcomes and client satisfaction. Accountable for maintaining risk registers, risk mitigation plans, and for minimizing project-related issues that impact deliverables.

Performance Monitoring: Develop and implement performance metrics and reporting mechanisms to track project progress, identify issues, and drive corrective actions. Accountable for meeting project milestones, deadlines, and budget targets as defined by project plans.

Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with key stakeholders, including clients, project teams, and senior management, to ensure alignment of project objectives and expectations. Accountable for fostering positive stakeholder relationships and resolving conflicts promptly.

Communication Management: Foster a culture of proactive communication. Accountable to building the entire project team to have proactive communication for the scope, change management, weekly summaries, action items, etc.

Quality Assurance: Ensure compliance with CMMI Level 3 standards and other relevant quality management frameworks through rigorous quality assurance processes. Accountable for maintaining quality standards and for achieving or exceeding quality-related KPIs.

Change Management: Lead change management efforts to foster a culture of adaptability and innovation within the PMO and across project teams. Accountable for successful implementation of change initiatives and for measuring the impact on project outcomes and team performance.

Vendor Management: Manage relationships with external vendors and subcontractors to ensure seamless integration of third-party resources into project delivery processes. Accountable for vendor performance, adherence to contractual agreements, and cost-effectiveness.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; Master's degree preferred.

- Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) and CMMI (e.g., CMMI Associate, CMMI Professional) highly desirable.

- Proven experience (10+ years) in project management, with a focus on IT consulting or software development projects.

- Demonstrated leadership experience in establishing and leading PMOs, preferably in organizations certified at CMMI Level 3 or above. Provide examples or case studies showcasing your leadership role in spearheading the organization's CMMI certification process, including specific strategies implemented, challenges overcome, and measurable outcomes achieved.

- Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices, including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches.

- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.

- Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Jira, ADO) and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office suite).

- Analytical mindset with a track record of driving process improvements and delivering results in complex and dynamic environments.

- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused, and deadline-driven environment while maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity.

- Strong commitment to quality, continuous learning, and professional development.