FC Portfolio Manager - Project Governance

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NULL

Job summary

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is seeking an experienced F&C Portfolio Manager to oversee strategic project portfolios in Abu Dhabi. The role demands extensive enterprise portfolio management experience, governance oversight, and executive reporting to align investments with FAB's strategy.

The position involves leading CPMO project portfolio managers, developing dashboards, and guiding cross-functional teams to ensure timely, value-driven delivery within budgets. On-site, full-time role in the UAE.

Qualifications

• University degree in Technology, Management, or equivalent.
• PMP/PRINCE2/SAFe certification is required or preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in portfolio management or PMO environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide governance oversight for project and programme portfolios.
• Ensure portfolio investments align with FAB's strategy and budgets.
• Develop executive dashboards and reporting packs for committees.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to manage dependencies and risks.

Skills

Portfolio management

Governance

Stakeholder management

Executive reporting

PMO

Education

University degree in Technology, Management, or equivalent

PMP/PRINCE2/SAFe certification

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

MS Office

Job description

F&C Portfolio Manager - Project Governance Job Snapshot - Role: F&C Portfolio Manager - Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Banking - Function: Project-Program Management - Experience: 15 years - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is seeking an experienced F&C Portfolio Manager to oversee strategic project and programme portfolios across the bank 's functions. Based in Abu Dhabi, the role is responsible for ensuring that investment decisions, project priorities, delivery governance, and resource allocation remain aligned with the bank 's corporate strategy. The F&C Portfolio Manager will manage Business and Function CPMO Project Portfolio Managers, provide governance oversight across assigned portfolios, and ensure that programmes and projects deliver measurable business value within approved timelines and budgets. The position requires extensive experience in enterprise portfolio management, project governance, executive reporting, and large-scale programme delivery. The successful candidate will work closely with Business, Technology, Change, Value and Reporting, Integration and Governance, and other control and enablement teams to strengthen portfolio execution and strategic decision-making.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Abu Dhabi
• Industry: Banking
• Function: Project-Program Management
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Gender: No Preference
• Candidate Nationality: Not specified
• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Governance and Strategic Alignment

• Provide governance oversight for assigned project and programme portfolios.
• Ensure that portfolio investments, priorities, and delivery activities align with FAB 's corporate strategy.
• Establish and maintain governance frameworks that support disciplined execution, controlled change, and effective decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with the bank 's portfolio governance processes, reporting requirements, and committee procedures.
• Oversee portfolio execution to ensure delivery remains aligned with approved schedules, budgets, and strategic objectives.
• Maintain enterprise-level visibility of portfolio performance, risks, dependencies, and expected business outcomes.
• Promote accountability, transparency, and strategic alignment across portfolio management activities.

Executive Governance and Reporting

• Prepare and lead monthly Portfolio Governance Committee meetings.
• Present portfolio status, delivery health, significant developments, and matters requiring management attention.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior management and executive committees.
• Monitor portfolio-level risks and issues, ensuring timely escalation when executive intervention is required.
• Develop portfolio dashboards, key performance indicators, and reporting structures.
• Consolidate complex portfolio information into clear executive reports and management presentations.
• Maintain visibility of project dependencies, timelines, delivery risks, and business impacts.
• Participate in portfolio governance forums and communicate recommendations to executive stakeholders.
• Provide portfolio updates and information to the Integration and Governance team as required.

Portfolio Planning and Investment Management

• Lead the planning and coordination of assigned project and programme portfolios.
• Engage with Business, Technology, Enablement, and Control teams to understand strategic priorities and investment requirements.
• Ensure proposed portfolio initiatives support the bank 's strategic objectives and provide measurable business value.
• Coordinate the annual project demand process with relevant business and technology stakeholders.
• Participate in demand prioritization activities with the Value and Reporting team.
• Support the consolidation and assessment of portfolio requirements.
• Review portfolio financial information in collaboration with the 360 Value team.
• Support investment decisions through portfolio analysis, prioritization, and resource planning.
• Develop master resource plans identifying the skills and staffing levels required for successful portfolio delivery.
• Review resource requirements with the Change team to support effective allocation across projects and programmes.

Programme Delivery and Execution Oversight

• Oversee the delivery of multiple projects and programmes within the assigned portfolio.
• Work with the Integration and Governance team to establish and maintain an integrated portfolio master plan.
• Identify interdependencies across projects and coordinate timely action with relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor portfolio execution against agreed delivery milestones and financial commitments.
• Work closely with programme managers to resolve delivery issues and manage escalations.
• Coordinate with Business, Technology, Enablement, and Control teams to address risks affecting portfolio delivery.
• Ensure that delivery teams remain focused on strategic outcomes and measurable business benefits.
• Support consistent application of portfolio management processes, methodologies, tools, and templates.
• Promote continuous improvement in project and portfolio management practices.

Benefits Realisation and Value Tracking

• Ensure that expected business benefits are defined and incorporated into project business cases.
• Establish appropriate mechanisms for monitoring portfolio value and business outcomes.
• Track system adoption and benefits realisation across relevant initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Value and Reporting team to monitor benefits following project implementation.
• Ensure completed projects are transitioned to the Value and Reporting team for ongoing value tracking.
• Review portfolio performance to assess whether investments are delivering their intended strategic benefits.
• Provide management with insights into portfolio value, delivery performance, and opportunities for improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across business, technology, and control functions.
• Collaborate with the Change, Value and Reporting, and Integration and Governance teams to support portfolio execution.
• Engage with technology and non-technology delivery teams to coordinate priorities and dependencies.
• Provide guidance to business and functional teams on PMO processes, governance requirements, and reporting templates.
• Communicate portfolio challenges, delivery risks, and management recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Support executive discussions concerning investment priorities, programme delivery, and portfolio performance.
• Maintain effective coordination across teams responsible for portfolio planning, delivery, reporting, and governance.

People Management and Portfolio Capability Development

• Manage and provide direction to Business and Function CPMO Project Portfolio Managers.
• Supervise, coach, and develop junior team members.
• Work with the Change team to ensure appropriate staffing for current and future projects.
• Monitor team productivity and support effective resource utilisation.
• Strengthen portfolio management capabilities and project governance maturity.
• Guide executives and delivery teams in applying portfolio management principles.
• Encourage accountability, transparent reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Recommend improvements to portfolio management methodologies, processes, tools, and templates.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education and Professional Certifications

• University degree in Technology, Management, or an equivalent discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.
• SAFe certification or another recognised Agile certification.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 15 years of overall professional experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing portfolios, project governance, and delivery.
• At least 5 years of experience overseeing or managing large programmes of work.
• Experience working within Banking IT or a Project Management Office (PMO).
• Experience managing teams of approximately 5 to 10 people.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing more than five projects or programmes concurrently.
• Previous experience preparing reports and presenting portfolio information to executive management.
• Experience engaging directly with Senior Vice President-level stakeholders to review challenges, provide guidance, and constructively challenge decisions when required.
• Experience managing complex programmes with multiple dependencies.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and senior business stakeholders.

Portfolio Management and Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of portfolio management, strategic portfolio planning, and project governance.
• Experience managing project delivery using Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid methodologies.
• Ability to analyse large volumes of portfolio data and convert findings into concise management reports.
• Strong understanding of programme dependencies, delivery risks, resource requirements, and portfolio performance.
• Experience developing executive dashboards, portfolio reporting packs, and management recommendations.
• Ability to identify portfolio risks early and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
• Knowledge of project management governance frameworks, reporting procedures, and delivery controls.
• Experience monitoring multiple programmes and resolving issues affecting delivery.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.

Leadership and Professional Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management skills, including direct engagement with senior executives.
• Excellent presentation, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex portfolio information clearly to executive audiences.
• Strong analytical thinking and sound management judgment.
• Ability to provide recommendations, options, and insights based on portfolio performance data.
• Effective leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across business and technology functions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and meet demanding deadlines.
• Proactive approach to resolving issues and managing programme dependencies.
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and contribute beyond immediate responsibilities.
• High standards of professional integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or an equivalent master 's degree is preferred.

About the Company

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is a major financial institution headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The bank serves individuals, businesses, and institutions across the UAE and international markets, with a presence in more than 20 markets spanning five continents. FAB provides banking and financial services while investing in employee learning, professional development, and Emiratisation programmes. The bank also supports education, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through its partnerships and community initiatives. FAB promotes an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives and professional contributions. The bank is also committed to environmental sustainability and joined the Net Zero Banking Alliance in December 2021, supporting the transition towards net zero emissions by 2050.