Portfolio & Strategic Programmes Lead

NORD ANGLIA EDUCATION; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nord Anglia Education, headquartered in London, seeks a Portfolio & Strategic Programmes Lead to oversee a cross‑functional portfolio of high‑impact programmes across the Group Central Support division. Based at our London HQ, you will align delivery with strategic objectives and drive transformative outcomes.

You will translate strategy into roadmaps, govern delivery across functions and geographies, and work closely with the Group Head, Strategy & Delivery and ExCo level stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading and managing complex, cross‑functional programmes in large or complex international organisations.
• Proven track record of building and running portfolio or PMO functions, including governance design, reporting and delivery oversight.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into structured, deliverable portfolio roadmaps with clear outcomes and accountability.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with confidence operating at ExCo level across functions and geographies.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, able to bring structure and clarity where direction is not yet defined.
• Experience in a complex international organisation with multi-geography scope.
• Familiarity with digital and transformation programmes.
• Relevant professional qualification, PROSCI, PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for ensuring the CSDO's portfolio of strategic programmes is aligned to organisational goals, well-governed, and followed through to completion.
• Translate corporate strategy into a prioritised portfolio roadmap, with clear outcomes, delivery accountability, and measurable progress.
• Bring rigour and structure to areas of strategic ambiguity, maintaining the infrastructure that gives the CSDO a reliable and current picture of delivery across her remit.
• Support the CSDO in navigating complexity and emerging priorities, bringing structure and clarity where direction is still forming.
• Work in close peer collaboration with the Group Head, Strategy & Delivery, complementary in focus, with clear accountability on each side.

Education

PROSCI/PRINCE2/MSP or equivalent

Job description

London is our global headquarters where 220 colleagues across Finance, Risk, IT, Corporate Development, Legal, HR, MAC and Education drive the success of our 90+ schools in 35+ countries. By joining our fast paced and innovative organisation, you will be regularly liaising with our global team-mates from the Philippines to Peru, from Beijing to Boston and beyond.

Portfolio & Strategic Programmes Lead

The Portfolio & Strategic Programmes Lead plays a vital role within Nord Anglia Education Limited's Group Central Support division. Based at our London Headquarter Office, this position involves leading and overseeing key strategic programmes that drive organisational success. You will manage a portfolio of high-impact projects, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and delivering transformative outcomes across the business.

The role

• Be responsible for ensuring the CSDO's portfolio of strategic programmes is aligned to organisational goals, well-governed, and followed through to completion.
• Translatecorporate strategy into a prioritised portfolio roadmap, with clear outcomes, delivery accountability, and measurable progress.
• Bring rigour and structure to areas of strategic ambiguity, maintaining the infrastructure that gives the CSDO a reliable and current picture of delivery across her remit.
• Support the CSDO in navigating complexity and emerging priorities, bringing structure and clarity where direction is still forming.
• Work in close peer collaboration with the Group Head, Strategy & Delivery, complementary in focus, with clear accountability on each side.

We're looking for

• Significant experience leading and managing complex, cross‑functional programmes in large or complex international organisations.
• Proven track record of building and running portfolio or PMO functions, including governance design, reporting and delivery oversight.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into structured, deliverable portfolio roadmaps with clear outcomes and accountability.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with confidence operating at ExCo level across functions and geographies.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, able to bring structure and clarity where direction is not yet defined.
• Experience working through periods of significant organisational change or transformation.
• Experience in a complex international organisation operating across multiple geographies or business units.
• Familiarity with digital and transformation programmes.
• Relevant professional qualification, PROSCI, PRINCE2, MSP or equivalent.

Equal Opportunities

At Nord Anglia Education, we are an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. In our schools and offices around the world, we treat all colleagues fairly based on their skills and qualifications, without discrimination. We value individuals from all backgrounds, including those with different abilities and neurodivergent conditions, as well as those who identify with protected characteristics. We recruit in line with our EmpowerUs Behaviours Framework: Communicate with Impact, Collaborate with Empathy, Make Considered Decisions, Embrace Change and Drive Growth. Nord Anglia Education is committed to ensuring the highest possible safeguarding standards in our schools and we expect every employee to share this commitment.