Head of Portfolio (Commercial and Digital Technology)

Whitbread; Houghton Regis, Dunstable; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Head of Portfolio to oversee product development and service performance within its Commercial Technology function. The role involves managing a diverse portfolio of projects while ensuring alignment with customer expectations and business goals. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Agile and Waterfall delivery models, and strong financial management skills.

Benefits

Individual & Family BUPA healthcare

Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays

25% discount on restaurant brand

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing complex technology portfolios.
• Experience establishing effective portfolio governance structures.
• Familiarity with service performance management frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee product development and software engineering initiatives.
• Lead a high-performing team of Senior Project Managers and QA.
• Manage portfolio financials, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.

Skills

Agile

Waterfall

Financial Management

Risk Management

Service Performance Management

Job description

Head of Portfolio (Commercial and Digital Technology)

Whitbread Court, Porz Ave, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU5 5XE, UK Req #16242

15 May 2025

As the Head of Portfolio and leading the creation of the hotel of the future, you'll oversee product development, software engineering, and service performance within our Commercial Technology function.

Whitbread, the home of the UK’s number 1 hotel brand Premier Inn, is making significant investments in its people and technology as we set up for the next decade of growth. To lead the way, we are looking for a strategic and delivery-focused Head of Portfolio - Commercial and Digital, to oversee technology projects across our core business areas.

As the new Head of Portfolio, you will lead the planning, execution, and governance of all product development, software engineering initiatives, and service performance activities across our Commercial Technology function. You will be accountable for overseeing a diverse and dynamic portfolio of projects, ensuring that both delivery outcomes and service performance align with customer expectations as we build the hotel of the future.

You will bring strong experience in both Agile and Waterfall delivery models, with a proven ability to tailor governance structures and reporting. You’ll lead a high-performing team of Senior Project Managers, PMO, QA, and Business Analysis, and play a critical role in managing portfolio financials, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.

Role: Head of Portfolio (Commercial and Digital Technology)

Package: Up to £130,000pa + up to 40% bonus and car or car allowance of £7,000pa

Contract Type: Full-Time and Permanent

Location: Digital Office, Holborn, London, with hybrid working including a minimum of 3 days in the office and visits to our Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire office

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Healthcare: Individual & Family BUPA healthcare
• Discounts: Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays and 25% discount on our restaurant brand
• Portfolio Leadership: Oversee our collection of tech projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and supporting our Technical Product Managers.
• Governance & Steering: Lead steering committees and executive forums, setting up flexible governance supporting both Agile and Waterfall projects, fostering open communication.
• Delivery Oversight: Support successful project delivery, ensuring timelines, budgets, and outcomes are met.
• Service Performance Oversight: Report on key service performance indicators, working with product management, service, and operations teams to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Financial Management: Own portfolio financials, including budgeting, forecasting, and benefit realization.
• Risk & Dependency Management: Identify and manage risks and dependencies early, establishing clear ownership and communication.
• Reporting & Communication: Provide clear, regular updates on portfolio health, performance, and progress, ensuring alignment with priorities.

What you’ll need:

• Extensive experience managing complex technology portfolios, with a track record of working with engineering, service, and delivery teams to drive performance and value.
• Experience establishing effective portfolio governance structures and executive steering forums.
• Ability to bring structure and clarity to evolving environments.
• Familiarity with service performance management frameworks (e.g., SLAs, SLOs, dashboards).
• Exposure to enterprise-level portfolio, product, engineering practices, and DevOps environments.

Be part of our Technology Team at Whitbread

Our Technology team builds products and services used by 38,000 colleagues and millions of guests, from scalable applications to seamless devices, all while ensuring data security. Join us in building the hotel of the future.

• Whitbread Court, Porz Ave, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU5 5XE, UK