Head of Portfolio Management

**About the role**:
National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

The Head of Portfolio Management is responsible for building and leading NESO’s Portfolio Management function, within the Office of the CFO, to manage the organisation’s growing portfolio of work that will be crucial to delivering net zero by 2050.

The role holder will lead the development of the capability as a senior practitioner and collaborate with stakeholders to shape and balance the portfolio, whilst acting as an escalation point for portfolio-related issues. This role will involve driving the process of agreeing, planning and allocating (at a high level) adequate resources (£’s & people) to a prioritised portfolio of change.

You will continuously ensure that the portfolio is aligned with and delivering value towards NESO’s strategic priorities, whilst fostering key relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

**Key accountabilities**:

- ** Portfolio Oversight**: Leading the development and implementation of the Enterprise Portfolio Office, ensuring alignment with NESO’s strategic objectives and priorities. Owning and determining the right frameworks and approaches for portfolio definition and delivery, ensuring consistent approaches are being used across NESO, and continuously developing the capabilities, tools, methods and approaches for portfolio management.
- ** Leadership**:Managing and mentoring a team of Portfolio Managers and Analysts, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
- ** Stakeholder Engagement**: Fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation as the ‘face’ of the portfolio, including executives, Heads of Directorates and project sponsors, providing regular updates and insights into portfolio health and performance.
- ** Portfolio Definition**: Working with key stakeholders to define and prioritise the portfolio, ensuring that projects and programmes are aligned with strategic objectives and deliver measurable value. Providing relevant inputs and insight to the business planning process to ensure portfolio planning aligns with broader business planning, and vice versa.
- ** Portfolio Delivery**: Overseeing the execution and delivery of the Enterprise portfolio, understanding progress, resolving issues and mitigating risks to ensure successful outcomes for the portfolio.
- ** Performance Monitoring**: Establishing and owning key performance indicators and metrics to monitor portfolio performance, tracking progress against strategic priorities and identifying areas for improvement.
- ** Risk Management**: Identifying and mitigating portfolio-level risks and issues and implementing strategies to minimise impact and ensure successful portfolio delivery.
- ** Portfolio Governance**: Delivering regular reporting to NESO Exec and owning portfolio governance forums, communicating delivery status, performance, and strategic recommendations to continuously shape and balance the portfolio.
- ** Process Design**: Designing, developing and enhancing portfolio management processes and capabilities, driving efficiency and effectiveness through the adoption of best practices and innovative approaches.
- ** Portfolio Systems**:Aligning portfolio processes and standards with system requirements and helping drive PPM (Project Portfolio Management) system development.

**About you**:
We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has/is:
**Essential**
- Proven experience in portfolio management, including interaction with c-suite stakeholders, with a track record of managing complex portfolios in a large enterprise environment.
- Proficiency in portfolio management frameworks and methodologies, such as the Management of Portfolio (MoP) framework.
- Evidence of strong team management and leadership experience, especially in periods of change and uncertainty.
- Ability to grow and inspire a team, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- This includes empowering and supporting junior team members to be proactive and develop the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders on portfolio-related matters.
- Exceptional communication skills, both in writing and articulation, capable of conveying complex ideas to a broad audience who may not speak the language of portfolio management.
- The ability to influence, challenge and persuade senior decision-makers across the organisation on port