PMO Lead (Substitution Programme)

Pay.UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% Non-contributory pension

Discretionary annual bonus

30 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Health cash plan

Dental insurance

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Season ticket loan

Annual fitness subsidy

Working from home policy - minimum 40%

Job summary

Pay.UK is seeking a PMO Lead for Substitution on a fixed-term basis in London. You’ll provide programme-level PMO services, maintain plans and governance, prepare executive papers, and track costs with Finance. You’ll work with Risk, Technology and TPRM to ensure clear supplier governance and artefacts management. This role demands strong delivery discipline and change framework expertise.

Join a major programme with governance oversight of substantial budgets and a dynamic delivery environment.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Relevant PMO or PPM qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant experience leading PMO services for large, complex programmes with budgets in the tens of millions or more.
• Experience producing governance, reporting, risk, dependency and financial tracking for senior decision-making forums.
• Experience working with delivery suppliers and internal business control functions within a structured change framework.

Responsibilities

• Provide programme-level PMO services across reporting, governance, risk, benefits, dependencies, cost forecasting and quality management.
• Maintain programme plans, milestones, deliverables and review cycles with recorded decisions and approvals.
• Prepare governance reporting and executive papers for SteerCo, ExCo and Board.
• Track programme costs, actuals and forecasts with Finance and monitor benefits.
• Manage programme-wide risks and dependencies and track mitigations.
• Work with Risk, Technology and TPRM to maintain supplier governance and reporting.
• Maintain a structured store for key artefacts in line with the Change Framework Information Management Standard.
• Support adoption of the Change Framework across the Substitution programme through guidance and coaching.

Skills

PMO governance

Programme governance

Reporting

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree-level education in a relevant subject

PMO/PPM qualification

Job description

PMO Lead (Substitution Programme), 12m FTC, London

Join Pay.UK as PMO Lead for Substitution, our largest programme with governance oversight of more than £100m. In this fixed-term role, you’ll work closely with the Programme Director and delivery teams to keep planning, reporting, controls and governance clear, consistent and up to date.

This is a role for someone who enjoys bringing structure to complex delivery and can apply solid PMO practice in a live programme environment.

Accountabilities

• Provide programme-level PMO services across reporting, governance, risk, benefits, dependencies, resource demand, cost forecasting and quality management.
• Maintain programme plans, milestones, deliverables, acceptance criteria and review cycles so decisions and approvals are recorded and tracked to date.
• Prepare governance reporting and executive papers for SteerCo, ExCo, Board and external stakeholder forums.
• Track programme costs, actuals and forecasts with Finance and support monitoring of benefits set out in the business case.
• Manage programme-wide risks and internal and external dependencies, including supporting dependency workshops and tracking mitigation actions.
• Work with suppliers and internal teams such as Risk, Technology and TPRM to maintain clear supplier governance and reporting.
• Maintain a structured store for key programme artefacts in line with the Change Framework Information Management Standard.
• Support adoption of the Change Framework across the Substitution programme through guidance, coaching and continuous improvement activity.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Degree-level education in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
• Relevant PMO or PPM qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant experience leading PMO services for large, complex programmes with budgets in the tens of millions or more.
• Experience producing governance, reporting, risk, dependency and financial tracking for senior decision-making forums.
• Experience working with delivery suppliers and internal business control functions within a structured change framework.

Pay.UK Behaviours

At Pay.UK, our behaviours are central to who we are and how we operate. They bring our values to life, shape our culture, and guide how we make decisions, collaborate, and respond to challenges across the payments ecosystem. All interview processes will assess the following behaviours:

• Listen to Find Win-Wins - Empathy, Listening and Understanding
• Influence with Courage - Influence, Courage
• Go Horizontal First - Cross Boundary Collaboration
• Take Ownership - Self Development
• Opportunity Mindset - Initiative
• Simplify - Achievement Orientation

Inclusivity

At Pay.UK, we value diversity and inclusivity. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the requirements listed. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of how closely their skills and experience match the requirements. We are committed to supporting accessibility needs and creating a welcoming environment for all employees. Become part of our team and contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that values everyone’s unique input.

Who we are

Pay.UK is the recognised operator and standards body for the UK’s interbank retail payment systems. We provide the infrastructure and services that millions of people and businesses rely on every day, including Bacs, Faster Payments and the Image Clearing System for cheques, the Current Account Switch Service and Confirmation of Payee. Together, these services help keep money moving safely, securely and reliably across the UK and play an important role in supporting the economy.

In 2025, the UK’s retail payment systems processed more than 12.5 billion transactions worth over £11 trillion. Since its launch in 2013, the Current Account Switch Service has successfully helped consumers and businesses switch more than 12 million current accounts. These services help people receive their salaries, pay their bills, make payments and manage their finances with confidence.

Our purpose is to provide the trusted infrastructure, standards and services that underpin UK retail payments. We deliver safe, resilient and efficient payment systems while working collaboratively with industry, regulators and stakeholders to strengthen resilience, tackle fraud, improve access and support innovation across the payments landscape. As the ecosystem evolves, we are continuing to develop our capabilities in areas such as data and AI, enhancing operational insight and helping to build a modern, trusted payments ecosystem.

Learn more about life at Pay.UK by hearing what employees have to say, click here to view videos.

Benefits & additional information

• 12% Non-contributory pension
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, health cash plan, dental insurance, Bupa medicals etc
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Annual fitness subsidy of up to £500 per annum
• Working from home policy - minimum 40% in the office (eg. 2 days in the office over a 5 day working week)

Please note:

• Some of our benefits are only available to colleagues after meeting the requirements of the probationary period

Pay.UK employee benefits are not available to contractors and are only available to permanent and fixed-term employees