Program Manager, PMO Optimization

Summary

Join Sand Cherry Associates as a Program Manager, PMO Optimization leader to build and optimize a Project Management Office (PMO). You will lead PMO maturity assessments, design process improvements, and manage change initiatives. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and senior leaders is crucial. This is a remote consulting engagement for candidates residing in the United States. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in project/program management, PMO creation, and change management. Success in this role requires strong analytical and communication skills.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5-7 years of strong project or program management experience
• Direct experience with building, leading and/or managing PMO operations, with direct experience in PMO optimization
• Demonstrated experience with conducting PMO Maturity Assessment and identifying key improvement areas within PMO functions
• Proven track record of change management planning, particularly in PMO-related initiatives with a focus on stakeholder engagement and adoption
• Experience in implementing or enhancing project management methodologies, frameworks (Agile, Waterfall), and project governance structures
• Strong understanding of Project/Program Management and PMO processes, tools, and methodologies
• Expertise in Prosci change management principles and their application to PMO transformations
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively present findings, recommendations, and progress to senior leadership and diverse stakeholders
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations and develop actionable solutions, as well as manage multiple efforts in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive PMO maturity assessment to evaluate the current state of the PMO, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement
• Develop actionable recommendations for enhancing PMO processes, tools, and governance structures to align with industry best practices
• Create, implement, and manage roadmaps for PMO transformation and continuous improvement based on maturity assessment findings
• Design and implement improvements to PMO processes, frameworks, tools, and methodologies to enhance project delivery performance and efficiency
• Facilitate the standardization of project management practices, including risk management, resource allocation, and reporting
• Work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and strategic goals
• Lead change management initiatives for PMO-related projects, ensuring smooth transitions and stakeholder buy-in and adoption
• Develop and execute communication and training plans to ensure adoption of new processes and tools across the organization
• Provide guidance on managing resistance to change, offering solutions to overcome obstacles and ensuring sustainable change
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including senior leaders, department heads, and project managers, to ensure alignment and continuous feedback throughout the optimization process
• Build relationships and act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders regarding PMO improvements, project management best practices, and performance metrics
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting mechanisms to track PMO performance, including project success rates, resource utilization, and PMO maturity progress
• Conduct regular performance reviews and assessments to ensure that PMO goals and optimization initiatives are on track
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the PMO and the wider organization by promoting the use of lessons learned and post-project reviews
• Stay up to date with the latest trends and advancements in project management, PMO best practices, and change management methodologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred
• Change Management Certification (e.g., Prosci, ACMP) is helpful

Benefits

• This is a 6 month consulting engagement on 1099 with an hourly range of $80-90/hr
• Professional career growth is one of our main priorities, as we affirm that investing in our Consultants and empowering our people will also deliver the best results and value for our clients