Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager (Governance & Standards)

Bank of England; Leeds; On-site; GBP 62,480 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary performance award

26 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Job summary

A national financial institution in Leeds is seeking a Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager to drive strategic governance and portfolio management practices. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and communication skills, with proven experience in project management within the financial sector. The role offers a competitive salary ranging from £62,480 to £70,000, along with comprehensive benefits including pension and healthcare. The application closes on 11th Jan 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing high-quality written materials for senior governance committees.
• Proven experience in project management within the banking sector.
• Proficiency in project management software.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of robust portfolio management practices.
• Establish standards for business case development.
• Design governance frameworks for effective oversight.
• Manage prioritisation process for portfolio initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager (Governance & Standards)

Join to apply for the Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager (Governance & Standards) role at Bank of England.

Position Overview

As a Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, data‑informed and independent portfolio planning and assurance services. You will be a trusted partner, enabling the Bank to achieve its strategic priorities by setting up projects and programmes for success. You will ensure the Portfolio Planning & Assurance team delivers effective portfolio management, ensuring all changes are traceable, accountable and deliver measurable benefits.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Portfolio Management Practices: Drive the development and implementation of robust portfolio management practices with a strong emphasis on governance and standards, ensuring these practices support strategic alignment, transparency and value delivery across the enterprise.
• Define Minimum Standards: Establish and maintain clear, enforceable standards for business case development, project governance and reporting, embedding these standards into the project lifecycle.
• Set Portfolio Governance: Design and implement governance frameworks, processes and tools that enable effective oversight and decision‑making, ensuring structures are scalable, transparent and aligned with organisational goals.
• Oversee Prioritisation: Manage the prioritisation process for portfolio initiatives, ensuring decisions are based on strategic value, resource availability and risk considerations and facilitate alignment between business units and executive leadership.
• Risk Management: Develop and maintain governance structures to proactively identify, assess and mitigate risks at the portfolio level and embed risk management across all stages of the portfolio lifecycle.
• Challenge Business Cases: Critically evaluate proposed business cases to ensure they are well‑structured, feasible and aligned with strategic priorities, providing constructive feedback and guidance to improve quality.
• Approval Process: Implement clear, fair and efficient decision‑making processes for project approval and support governance bodies with the information and frameworks needed to make informed go/no‑go decisions.
• Improving for the Future: Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging practices and technological advancements in portfolio management, continuously assessing and evolving governance practices to enhance maturity and effectiveness.
• Act as a Role Model and Ambassador: Embody the values and purpose of the Bank and foster a supportive, inclusive, high‑performing team culture that encourages collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

Role Requirements

Minimum Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in preparing high‑quality written materials for senior governance committees, including the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise and actionable papers or reports.
• Proven experience in project management, preferably within the banking or financial services sector, with the ability to think ahead and innovate to meet business needs.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools, and the ability to make informed decisions and solve complex problems, often with incomplete information.
• Sound understanding of governance frameworks in relation to projects and programmes.

Essential Criteria

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex and technical information effectively in written and oral form, adapting style to the audience.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams and think holistically to solve business decisions.
• Resilience and the ability to demonstrate resilience when delivering difficult messages or when met with resistance.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within a similar organisation supporting portfolio definition and executing successful delivery, understanding business priorities and managing business partnerships.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and we believe that a workforce reflecting the society we serve is essential for effective decision‑making. We encourage flexi‑work arrangements and support candidates and employees in the recruitment process as needed. We are a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and welcome applications under this scheme.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: Leeds circa £62,480 - £70,000; London circa £69,440 - £77,000.
• Current non‑contributory, career‑average pension; discretionary performance award; 8% benefits allowance; 26 days annual leave with option to buy additional days; private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (typically 6‑12 weeks post‑offer) and additional Bank security checks. Further information will be provided to the successful applicant and detailed in the Bank’s Privacy Notice.

Application Process

The application process is anonymised. Please ensure you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer all the application questions. All candidate applications are anonymised to protect personal information during the screening stage.

The assessment will comprise two interview stages.

Closing Date

This role closes on 11th Jan 2026.

Important Notes

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