Director - Project & Portfolio Management Office

Twinings Ovaltine; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in Cape Town is seeking a Director – Project & Portfolio Management Office to oversee their IT PMO capabilities, driving digital transformation and managing a diverse portfolio of projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project management and the ability to influence stakeholders. Hybrid/remote work options may be considered. This role is crucial for steering the company's transformation agenda within a rapidly growing environment.

Benefits

Hybrid working options

Opportunity for international travel

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project and program management.
• Strong knowledge of SAP and Portfolio Management.
• Ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop the IT PMO capability.
• Define vision and strategy for the PMO function.
• Ensure compliance with delivery processes and governance standards.
• Lead team of project managers and PMO professionals.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Demonstrable Project & Programme delivery experience

Experience in setting up and running PMO functions

In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies

Capable communicator across technical and non-technical audiences

Ability to manage diverse global teams

Dynamic and effective in cross-departmental outcomes

Education

Relevant degree or certification in Project Management

Tools

Smartsheet

HarvestApp

SharePoint

Microsoft Teams

Job description

DescriptionGreat People Work HereBizTX : Co-Creating WOW Through Digital InnovationIt's an exciting time to be part of BizTX at Twinings Ovaltine.

At the heart of this iconic brand, we're on a mission to drive exponential growth and productivity through cutting-edge technology to transform the business globally.

We're not here to simply provide IT services.

We're technology leaders and strategic partners, co-creating innovative solutions that help the business run, grow, and transform.

Everything we do is guided by our commitment to 'WOW' our consumers, customers and colleagues.

WOW experiences, WOW solutions, and WOW impact.

Our people think differently.

We have an exponential mindset that helps us push boundaries and shape what's next.

The future at Twinings Ovaltine is full of possibility and we'd love you to be a part of it.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Director – Project & Portfolio Management Office is responsible for overseeing and developing our IT PMO capability.

Twinings Ovaltine is investing heavily technology driven transformation.

We are part way through our SAP S / 4Hana Transformation Programme and have several other major business transformation programmes in early phases of development.

We also have a large portfolio of smaller projects that are in flight or in planning stages and which cover the full range of technology led projects, covering everything from SAP to infrastructure, cyber security & marketing technology.

Our PMO function has a good foundation but needs to rapidly expand from an SAP centric capability based on a waterfall methodology, to one that can deploy our project managers to lead smaller IT projects and agile projects & programmes in the marketing technology & other areas.

We also need to establish the PPM capabilities required to effectively prioritise, plan and monitor the execution of this diverse portfolio of digital transformation initiatives.

We need a capable and experienced Programme Management professional to lead our team of project managers and PMO professionals and further develop our PMO function into a world class capability.

Provide our executive team with the visibility & control they need to effectively manage & prioritise our transformation agenda.

Location & Travel

The role is ideally a Cape Town based role, although Hybrid / Remote working may be considered for the right candidate. Infrequent international travel will be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and communicate a clear vision, strategy, and roadmap for the PMO function
• PMOMethodology and Framework – Define, maintain, and continuously improve the project and program delivery methodology to ensure alignment with enterprise standards
• Governance and Controls – Ensure all programs and projects adhere to the defined controls, including stage gates, reporting cadences, and exception management
• Tooling and Process – Own the configuration, management, and training for program delivery tools (e.g. Smartsheet, HarvestApp, SharePoint, Teams, etc.)
• Audit Assurance – Conduct or support internal and external audits to ensure compliance with delivery processes, documentation, and governance standards
• Project & Programme Management – Lead the team of project managers to ensure consistent and effective project management disciplines are deployed across our project portfolio
• Ensure the team manages the delivery of individual projects to defined scope, timeline, quality, and budget, while managing risks, issues and stakeholders
• Coordinate the delivery of interrelated projects and programmes to achieve overarching strategic outcomes, benefits, and business change
• Portfolio Management – Establish and manage an effective portfolio management process & capability
• Engage with senior business & IT leaders to obtain buy-in to establish PPM principles & procedures
• Monitor compliance with the PPM processes & ensure accuracy of information
• Provide visibility and control over all active projects and programs, supporting prioritisation, resource allocation, value alignment, and effective organisational risk management
• Plan, monitor, and control financials across the delivery portfolio, ensuring accuracy of forecasts and alignment with approved funding

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to challenge and influence senior business & IT stakeholders will be critical to succeed in this role
• Demonstrable Project & Programme delivery experience including SAP programmes
• Experience in setting up and running PMO functions
• In depth knowledge of Project, Programme & Portfolio management disciplines & methodologies
• Deep understanding of both the operational and strategic elements of PMO functions
• Up to date knowledge on the latest thinking and innovations in this space and the vision and leadership skills required to build these into our organisation
• Capable communicator across technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership
• Adept in managing diverse, global teams within complex and challenging environments
• Relationship builder – internal and external
• Effective communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement
• Dynamic, resolute, and effective in producing cross-departmental outcomes
• Committed to the company's vision, exudes credibility and initiative
• Values ongoing development and promotes a mindset geared toward growth
• Capable of managing ambiguity and competing priorities
• Challenges norms with a forward-thinking mindset
• Skilled, motivated, and culturally aware

LEADERSHIP MINDSET – OUR NON-NEGOTIABLES

We are... Lifelong learners – we learn, always : Curiosity is our superpower.

We grow through reflection, feedback, and a hunger to improve.

Safe, not soft – we lead with courage and care : We foster psychological safety without lowering the bar.

We challenge, support, and hold each other to high standards.

Accountable to our word – we do what we say : Our promises are not just intentions – they're commitments.

We act with integrity, even when no one is watching.

Empowered voices – we speak up and listen deeply : Everyone has a voice here.

We value diverse perspectives and honest conversations that move us forward.

Intentional and structured – We move with purpose : We think clearly, plan deliberately, and execute with discipline.

Structure gives our ideas power.

Agile and decisive – we act fast and smart : We adapt quickly, make clear decisions, and move forward with confidence, knowing progress favours the bold.

WOW makers – we create magic, together : We push boundaries, dream big, and co-create extraordinary experiences through digital innovation.

Better than yesterday – progress is personal : grow every day.

I reflect, improve, and raise my bar – because excellence begins with me.

Underpinned by... The Exponential Mindset - How we think shapes how we work : We operate with an exponential mindset – bold, curious, and 10X-driven.

About Twinings Ovaltine

Twinings has become one of the world's most renowned tea companies over its -year history because we never stop learning, never stop experimenting and never stop inventing.

We take pride in our tea from bud to cup and have been working with some of our tea estates around the world since the early 18th Century.

More than years later, the love of tea is still here - and so are we We still sell tea from Thomas's shop, and we still work hard to bring the most innovative new blends to tea lovers around the world.

Now, we have over varieties and our teas are cherished all over the world.

Our expert master blenders taste more than 3, cups of tea every week.

So you can be sure the next cup you taste will be every bit as good as the one yesterday or the day before.

Our approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At TwiningsOvo, we believe in the power of diversity to drive innovation and meaningful work.

We are committed to building a workplace where people from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences feel safe, valued, have a sense of belonging and are empowered to thrive.

Inclusion is more than a goal, it's how we work together every day.

As an equal opportunity employer, we prohibit any unlawful discrimination against an applicant on the basis of their ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, family or parental status, disability, neurodiversity, age, socioeconomic background or any other status protected by law and are committed to promoting diversity across our workplace. Applicants may be entitled to reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Act.

A reasonable adjustment is a change in the way things are typically done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity. Please inform our Talent Acquisition or HR Shared Services team if you need any assistance completing your application or to otherwise participate in the application process.