Assistant Director of Portfolio Management and Transformation

AWD RECRUITMENT LTD; Matlock; Hybrid; GBP 71,202 - 77,495; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

34 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Comprehensive wellbeing support

Job summary

AWD RECRUITMENT LTD is seeking an Assistant Director of Portfolio Management and Transformation to lead a high-impact portfolio management function. This role involves working closely with senior leaders to shape transformation governance and ensure alignment with strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will have experience in leading transformation initiatives and managing complex change. A competitive salary of £71,202 - £77,495 per annum is offered, along with 34 days annual leave and a local government pension scheme.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading transformation or organizational change.
• Experience establishing or leading a Portfolio Management Office.
• Strong knowledge of governance and benefits realization.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio management frameworks and governance arrangements.
• Develop the Portfolio Management Office as a source of expertise.
• Track and report benefits, risks, and performance effectively.
• Build relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Programme management

Risk management

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

Tools

MSP Practitioner Certification

Prince2 Practitioner

MoP Practitioner Certification

Job description

Assistant Director of Portfolio Management and Transformation

Salary: £71,202 - £77,495 per annum (Grade 16) with LGPS employer pension contribution (currently 18%).

Location: Hybrid / Matlock, Derbyshire, East Midlands.

Job Type: Full‑time, Permanent.

Working Hours: 37 hours per week.

Job Overview

Lead a high‑impact portfolio management function within a large, complex organisation, shaping transformation governance, improving programme assurance, overseeing project delivery, and ensuring change initiatives support strategic priorities, efficiency and value for money.

Work closely with senior leaders, elected members, partners and stakeholders, providing clear leadership across transformation, service improvement, risk management, benefits realisation and organisational change.

Duties

• Lead, embed and continually improve portfolio management frameworks, systems, processes and governance arrangements.
• Develop the Portfolio Management Office as a source of authority, expertise and assurance for programmes and projects.
• Work with senior leaders to shape, assess and prioritise the organisation’s transformation pipeline.
• Ensure benefits, risks, interdependencies, performance and progress are tracked, reviewed and reported effectively.
• Coordinate transformation resources, ensuring the right capacity, capability and skills are in place to deliver major change.
• Provide challenge, oversight and support to ensure high‑quality delivery across complex change initiatives.
• Develop guidance, tools, training and communities of practice to strengthen transformation delivery.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, partners and stakeholders across a politically accountable environment.
• Identify emerging priorities, performance gaps and opportunities to improve services, systems and operating models.

Candidate Requirements – Essential

• Proven experience leading transformation, service improvement or organisational change in a large, complex organisation.
• Experience establishing, developing or leading a Portfolio Management Office, Programme Management Office or a similar transformation function.
• Strong knowledge of portfolio, programme and project management approaches, including governance, risk, assurance and benefits realisation.
• Experience managing competing priorities, budgets and resources to support effective and efficient service delivery.
• Ability to work confidently with senior leaders, elected members, partners and stakeholders in a complex environment.
• Strong strategic planning, evaluation, financial management and organisational awareness.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and build effective working relationships internally and externally.
• A visible, inclusive and collaborative leadership style, with the ability to bring people through complex change.

Candidate Requirements – Desirable

• Degree equivalent and/or relevant professional qualification or relevant experience.
• Appropriate membership of a professional body.
• MSP Practitioner Certification and Prince2 Practitioner.
• MoP Practitioner Certification or willingness to undertake training.
• P3O Practitioner Certification or willingness to undertake training.
• Evidence of continuing management and personal development.

Benefits

• 34 days annual leave plus bank holidays — up to 42 days paid leave per year.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexi‑time scheme for many roles.
• Comprehensive wellbeing support, including occupational health, counselling and physiotherapy services.
• Learning and development opportunities, including professional qualifications and career progression.
• Access to rewards offering discounts across travel, tech, groceries and more.
• Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice schemes.