Portfolio Office Leader

The Portfolio Office provides integrated oversight, governance, assurance and insight across NPL’s internal and external project portfolios. It operates as the strategic Centre of Excellence for project delivery, ensuring that the right change is delivered at the right time, in the right way, with the right support.

We are seeking an experienced and credible leader to shape and lead this function at enterprise level.

The Portfolio Office Leader sets the direction for how projects are governed and supported across NPL. The role ensures that portfolio oversight is proportionate, effective and strategically aligned, enabling confident leadership decision-making on delivery feasibility, sequencing and risk exposure.

This is a senior leadership role requiring strategic judgement, organisational influence and the ability to balance independent assurance with practical enablement.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Assurance

• Own and evolve the governance model, so it remains proportionate and effective.
• Set the assurance strategy and operating rhythm, ensuring independence and consistency across the portfolio.
• Provide oversight and constructive challenge to ensure projects meet agreed governance, quality and assurance standards.
• Maintain visibility of major portfolio risks, ensuring appropriate escalation and leadership visibility.
• Ensure lessons learned and good practice are captured and embedded across the portfolio.

Strategic Leadership

• Set a clear vision for the Portfolio Office as a recognised strategic enabler of delivery.
• Build and lead a high-performing team operating within a Hub-and-Spoke model.
• Develop organisational capability in programme and portfolio management.
• Provide visible leadership that promotes clarity, discipline and confidence in delivery.
• Contribute to wider departmental leadership priorities and cross-functional collaboration.

Risk, Value & Insight

• Maintain a consolidated view of cross-portfolio risks and interdependencies.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, timely and decision-focused.
• Provide trusted advice to senior leadership on portfolio health and strategic risk exposure.
• Champion value realisation and benefits-led delivery.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead the ongoing evolution of governance, assurance, reporting and prioritisation.
• Benchmark against recognised best practice to ensure standards remain credible and effective.
• Embed a culture of learning and continuous improvement across the portfolio.