Technology Portfolio Planning Manager

Freshfields; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in Manchester seeks an experienced professional to lead the development of the technology change roadmap. Responsibilities include overseeing agile portfolio management and driving resource planning strategies. Candidates should have proven experience in IT resource planning and strong analytical skills. This role offers a collaborative and inclusive culture, with opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

People-first culture

Opportunities for professional development

Supportive environment for career growth

Qualifications

• Proven experience in IT resource planning or project coordination within agile environments.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in planning tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the technology change roadmap.
• Oversee governance processes and manage agile portfolio.
• Drive resource planning strategies to optimise capacity.

Skills

IT resource planning

Project coordination

Analytical skills

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Tools

Azure DevOps

PowerBI

MS Office Suite

Job description

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the development of the technology change roadmap, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Oversee governance processes and champion agile portfolio management practices.

• Drive resource planning strategies to optimise capacity across programmes, projects, and BAU.

• Lead change and communication activities to support stakeholder engagement and adoption.

• Manage and develop a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.

• Act as a key liaison across Technology, Architecture, Product, and Business stakeholders.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in IT resource planning or project coordination within agile or matrixed environments.

• Strong analytical skills and financial acumen, with proficiency in planning tools and Excel.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Familiarity with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.

Desirable:

• Exposure to enterprise-level IT transformation programmes.

• Professional certification in resource or project management.

• Experience with tools such as Azure DevOps, PowerBI, and MS Office Suite.

What we offer:

• A people-first culture that values collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

• Opportunities for professional development, career progression, and leadership growth.

• A supportive environment where your insights and expertise shape strategic decisions.

• A commitment to transparency, belonging, and meaningful impact across our technology function.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities. If you’re passionate about driving change and enabling delivery excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to be part of a forward-thinking team where your leadership makes a difference.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer.We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence).You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.