PMO Lead

Job summary

Ofgem needs excellence to drive projects that will change the face of the energy sector. We are now seeking a Programme Management Office (PMO) Lead to shape and strengthen how programmes are managed and delivered across our Heat Networks Directorate.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers – especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering a nine-month fixed-term opportunity to take the lead in developing and strengthening the Programme Management Office within our Heat Networks Directorate, which is focused on regulating heat networks, protecting consumers and supporting the decarbonisation of heating across Britain.

You’ll be taking on a fresh challenge in a complex and evolving area of energy regulation, with plenty of responsibility balanced by a supportive environment and the chance to make a real impact and a lasting contribution.

Gaining first-hand experience of a varied portfolio of regulatory, operational and transformation programmes, you'll have the chance to influence decisions at a high level, get involved in some incredible projects and build the skills of those around you, making this a genuinely rewarding role.

We’re looking for someone with experience of leading a PMO or major programme governance function, alongside a strong understanding of project, programme and portfolio management methodologies. You’ll have a proven ability to establish and improve PMO processes, analyse complex information and communicate clear insights. You’ll also be confident influencing and challenging senior stakeholders, managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality work at pace.

In return, you’ll join a supportive environment where your expertise is valued and you can continue to develop professionally. You’ll also enjoy a fantastic range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, provide financial security and help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

We have a critical purpose to ensure the programmes supporting heat network regulation are managed effectively and deliver meaningful results for consumers. Join us and help build a stronger, more effective Programme Management Office.

Read on and find out more.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development and continuous improvement of the Directorate PMO, acting as the authority on programme and portfolio management.
• Oversee portfolio governance, ensuring robust controls, assurance processes and reporting mechanisms.
• Lead portfolio planning, prioritisation, risk and dependency management across the Directorate.
• Produce high-quality reporting, dashboards and insights to support senior decision-making.
• Establish and embed PMO standards, frameworks and tooling in line with corporate requirements and best practice (e.g., IPA, GMPP, P3M).
• Build capability across the Directorate through training, coaching and expert guidance.
• Oversee resource and capacity planning to ensure programmes are optimally supported.
• Line manage PMO resources, directing their work and supporting their development
• Provide challenge and assurance to programme and project teams.
• Act as a key interface with Corporate PMO, Finance, HR, Commercial and Planning teams.
• Promote continuous improvement, transparency and value for money.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience leading a PMO or major programme governance function (LEAD)
• Strong understanding of portfolio, programme and project management methodologies (e.g., P3M, MoP, IPA frameworks, MSP, PRINCE2, APM)
• Evidence of establishing and maturing PMO processes or operating models
• Excellent analytical skills, able to interpret complex information and present clear insight
• Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders effectively
• Experience managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality outputs at pace

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in regulatory, public-sector or complex delivery environments
• Knowledge of the energy sector or infrastructure programmes

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,452, OFGEM contributes £14,326 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications. You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘supporting statement’ evidencing how your experience meets the criteria on the attached role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly how you meet each of the person specification criteria. You will also be required to answer the application question. You should demonstrate how you meet the (LEAD) criteria listed in the Role Profile by providing clear, specific examples from your experience. Rather than simply stating that you possess a skill or competency, explain what you did, how you approached it and the outcome achieved.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Ofgem takes any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Please refer to Civil Service candidate advice on the acceptable use of artificial intelligence within the recruitment and selection process - Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [ https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Sabrina Wilson
• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles.

Attachments

Programme Management Office Lead - Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 715kB)Programme Management Office (PMO) Lead Role profile Opens in new window (pdf, 97kB)Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)