Head of Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO)

Location: Reading (Hybrid - 50% office)
Contract: 6 months (starting July 2026)
Rate: £800-£1000 per day (Umbrella)
Security Clearance: BPSS
Client: Leading Utilities Organisation

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a major utilities client to appoint a Head of Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) to establish and lead a new enterprise-wide PMO capability.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the centre of a large-scale digital transformation programme, overseeing a portfolio of more than 150 projects with a value exceeding £200m.

You will play a key role in shaping how strategic change is delivered across Group IT-bringing structure, governance, and insight to ensure investment is aligned with business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the EPMO function, including governance frameworks, processes, and reporting standards
• Translate strategy into a coherent portfolio of initiatives, ensuring clear prioritisation and alignment
• Drive portfolio planning including demand management, capacity planning, and funding allocation
• Provide executive-level reporting and insight across financials, risks, dependencies, and benefits
• Implement and optimise portfolio management tools (e.g. ServiceNow SPM)
• Ensure robust financial oversight and value realisation across the portfolio
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing PMO team
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across IT and the wider business
• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of EPMO practices across the organisation

Key Skills and Experience

• Proven experience leading or establishing an enterprise PMO / EPMO in a large, complex environment
• Strong knowledge of portfolio governance, financial management, and benefits realisation
• Experience managing large-scale IT investment portfolios and budgets
• Expertise in portfolio tooling (ServiceNow SPM, Planview, Clarity, or similar)
• Ability to operate at executive level and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of delivery methodologies (agile, waterfall, hybrid)
• Experience of operating model design and transformation delivery
• Excellent leadership and team management skills

Desirable

• Experience within utilities or other regulated industries
• Professional certifications such as MSP, MoP, or Lean Portfolio Management

Why Apply

• Opportunity to build and shape a new EPMO function from the ground up
• Work on a large-scale, enterprise-wide transformation programme
• High-visibility role with direct influence on strategic investment decisions
• Competitive day rate and flexible hybrid working