Programme Management Office (PMO) Manager

Live your potential with DFS Aviation Services

We are a part of the DFS Group, one of the largest air navigation service providers in the world. We focus on the provision of air navigation services and the sale of software solutions, consulting, training services to airports and air navigation service providers worldwide. As a modern aviation company, we guarantee the perfect mix of proven experience and progressive ideas. High quality standards are just as much part of our philosophy as a lean organization, international networking and honest ambitions. We offer our employees and associates challenging and creative jobs with one of the most secure and attractive employers in Germany, in one of the most exciting industries.

Discover What's Possible

In partnership with dans, DFS Aviation Services is looking for a Programme Management Office (PMO) Manager to join our team in Dubai, whereby they will be responsible for providing organization - wide leadership, governance and assurance across dans’ project and programme portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. The role will provide senior management with portfolio oversight, performance insights and assurance to support effective decision-making, resource prioritization, risk management and successful delivery of organizational benefits. The role will also lead the development and maturity of dans’ project and portfolio management capabilities, including governance frameworks, standards, digital systems and the PMO function. An ideal candidate is a strong communicator and team player with the ability to adapt to change, embrace innovation, manage projects effectively, and demonstrate a strong awareness and understanding of procedures and their implementation, while maintaining business awareness and a high level of attention to detail.

This role will be with Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), based at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Maktoum International Airport (DWC) depending on operational requirements. Dans provides air navigation services at four airports in the UAE, one of which is the world's busiest airport for international passengers, where their mission is to empower and develop all their people in delivering world-leading air navigation services that exceed every standard, assure their customers, and shape global innovation.

Your Responsibilities

• PORTFOLIO GOVERNANCE & PMO MANAGEMENT
• Ensure the required level of governance is applied to managing each programme in the dans portfolio.
• Ensure that the programmes within the Portfolio are executed efficiently according to the Portfolio Management framework and governance.
• Own the governance, performance monitoring and continual improvement of the organisational project portfolio.
• Develop comprehensive and systemic programme level reporting frameworks by utilising thoughtful, user-focused designs to produce informative reports with easily digestible data, creative visualizations, detailed analysis and insights to senior leaders and sponsors, to enable effective decisions/ actions to be taken.
• Produce, maintain and coordinate Programme Level Dependencies.
• Own and continuously improve the organisation's Project Management Framework, Portfolio Governance Framework, policies, procedures and standards.
• Chair or delegate Project Gate Reviews and Governance Assurance Reviews in accordance with the approved governance framework.
• Ensure Enjazat (or successor Portfolio Management System) remains the single source of truth for project governance, approvals, reporting and documentation.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance governance maturity, standardisation and organisational capability.
• STAKEHOLDERS ANALYSIS AND COORDINATION
• Develop, maintain stakeholders’ governance including business plan, policies, procedures, trackers, analysis, etc to support the Stakeholders Management Section
• BUSINESS PLANNING
• Build and maintain organisation delivery capability and capacity to match current and future needs by working on concepts related to revenue, organisational structure and project prioritisation, risks and cost management.
• Point of Contact for the development and implementation of the Annual Business Plan aligned with the Corporate Strategy Performance Plan.
• Perform the Cost Benefit Analysis.
• Analyse portfolio financial performance, forecasts and investment data to ensure approved budgets are effectively managed and support strategic decision-making.
• Drive the identification, recruitment, development, deployment and reassignment of PSMD resources.
• Lead portfolio prioritisation activities to ensure organisational resources are aligned with strategic objectives.
• Develop long-term portfolio resource and capability plans to support future business demand.
• Monitor portfolio investment performance and support business case optimisation.
• Support organisational maturity assessments and continuous improvement initiatives.
• COMPLIANCE & MONITORING
• Oversee the overall execution of project health checks and reviews; lead the project teams with implementing findings and recommendations. Manage the escalated non-conformance issues respectively to their impact and needs of the business.
• Represent the department in audits and ensure actions are tracked and closed.
• Lead independent project assurance reviews for major programmes.
• Monitor governance compliance through regular health checks, audits and performance reporting.
• Identify systemic governance weaknesses and implement corrective improvement initiatives.
• PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT REPORTING
• Ensure Programme and project level reports are timely and accurately produced for all stakeholders.
• Develop relevant KPIs and metrics for the division.
• Develop executive portfolio dashboards providing insight into portfolio health, delivery confidence, strategic alignment, benefits, risks, resource demand and financial performance.
• Analyse portfolio trends and provide strategic recommendations to support executive decision-making.
• Develop forecasting models to identify emerging delivery risks and capacity constraints.
• Produce high-level reports for Senior Management and other stakeholders when required.
• Accountable for automation of governance and enhancements to existing automation tools.
• Ensure the availability of accurate data and results being maintained and reported by the PMO
• Provide independent advice and recommendations to Executive Management on portfolio performance, investment priorities, delivery confidence and governance decisions.
• DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DEPARTMENT’S PROCEDURES
• Overall responsible for the development and implementation of the Department Policies, procedures and templates in accordance with the best industry practice.
• Facilitate planning workshops and training sessions related to the production, implementation and improving the governance and new project management software and tools.
• DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
• Own the development roadmap for the Portfolio Management System and associated digital PMO tools.
• Drive automation of governance processes, reporting, approvals and performance analytics.
• Identify opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence, business intelligence and automation technologies to improve project delivery.
• Ensure portfolio data integrity, quality and reporting standards across all projects.
• Work with Information Technology to develop future PMO capabilities and digital solutions.
• BENEFITS REALISATION
• Establish and maintain organisational Benefits Management processes.
• Monitor delivery of approved project and programme benefits throughout the project lifecycle.
• Report benefits performance and realisation status to Executive Management.
• Ensure approved Business Cases remain aligned with expected benefits throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate post-implementation reviews to validate benefits realisation.
• PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
• Perform PMC Secretariat role.
• Prepare high level presentations required to progress discussions in the committee meetings.
• Act as Governance Advisor to the Projects Management Committee.
• Present portfolio performance, governance compliance, strategic risks and key recommendations to Executive Management.
• PORTFOLIO PLANNING & DEPENDENCY MANAGEMENT
• Maintain the Integrated Portfolio Roadmap.
• Identify and actively manage inter-project dependencies.
• Monitor cumulative impacts across programmes.
• Coordinate portfolio scheduling activities to optimise organisational delivery.
• ORGANISATIONAL PMO MATURITY
• Lead organisational PMO maturity assessments.
• Benchmark governance practices against recognised industry standards.
• Develop and implement annual PMO Improvement Plans.
• Promote lessons learned and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• PORTFOLIO RISK MANAGEMENT
• Maintain the Portfolio Risk Register.
• Identify systemic risks affecting multiple projects.
• Monitor organisational risk exposure.
• Escalate strategic risks to Executive Management.
• PEOPLE LEADERSHIP
• Lead, coach and develop the PMO team to deliver a high-performing PMO function.
• Set objectives, performance measures and development plans for PMO staff.
• Allocate work and resources across the PMO team to maximise organisational effectiveness.
• Promote knowledge sharing, mentoring and succession planning.
• ADMINISTRATION
• In charge of the overall organising of the day-to-day office operations, managing correspondence, and coordinating supply requisitions.
• Delegate PMO team member to support PSMD’s initiatives when required.
• Undertakes similar or related work as directed by senior management.

Your Qualifications

• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience of working in a complex programme management environment.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of working in the ANS domain.
• Experience in implementing and using project controls and demonstrated experience in tracking and reporting project highlights in accordance with Project management standards.
• Experience implementing Enterprise PMO or Portfolio Management Office functions.
• Experience with Portfolio Management Systems (PPM software).
• Experience developing executive dashboards and portfolio analytics.
• Experience in organisational governance transformation.
• Experience leading enterprise PMO transformation, governance digitisation and implementation of Portfolio Management Systems.
• A formal Project & Programme management training (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP (PMI), APM, PGMP).
• A formal Document Management training (e.g. ISO 9001).
• Attained any OHSE related training.
• Good understanding of principles of programme management and planning processes within a multi-disciplined project delivery environment.
• Understanding of ISO Standards and principles of facilitating compliance checks in Project documentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project or equivalent project planning software tool is essential.
• Computer literacy in MS Office.
• Ability to conceptualise and implement department change initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Good understanding of Portfolio Management, Benefits Realisation Management, Business Intelligence and Dashboard Development, Executive Reporting, Strategic Planning, Organisational Change Management, Digital Transformation, and Process Improvement

What you get

• A competitive salary package, that is excellent compared to industry standards.
• An annual airfare allowance to visit your family and friends at home, contribution to your children's school costs, excellent medical insurance coverage for all our employees and life insurance.
• Work life balance based on fair, transparent and employee-friendly shift models, working hours and a generous leave entitlement.
• Corporate culture which is characterized by professionalism, which has focused on staff and client needs for decades.

Working @ DAS

Working at DFS Aviation Services means working in a diverse and dynamic team of professionals being passionate about advancing aviation safety and efficiency. Since 2017, the #DASTeam has grown to over 400 team members participating in various air traffic management projects at 17 locations in 6 countries. Our people come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing unique skills and perspectives that enrich our company culture and drive innovation in air traffic management. From air traffic controllers to software developers and engineers, and from project managers to customer service experts, our #DASTeam works collaboratively to ensure the skies remain safe for everyone of us.