PMO Consultant

About Atkins

At Atkins we advise our clients how to adapt to the fast-rising tide of digital disruption and realise the desired benefits from their transformational change programmes. We provide expert advice at senior levels on complex business problems, whilst also taking a hands-on role, to ensure effective solutions are conceived, delivered, and the real-world benefits of the investment are realised.
Our consulting services are provided across the entire project lifecycle to our clients across sectors as diverse as aviation, defence, security, local and central government. We also work alongside our colleagues in the other parts of the Atkins business world-wide.

Atkins is an open organisation; everyone’s contribution is valued irrespective of grade and our staff are actively encouraged to interact and engage with colleagues at all levels within the business.

Within Atkins Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Services (P3MS) Practice, we are seeking to grow significantly, reflecting our strong brand and demand for our PMO Services from our clients. We provide consultancy services and even entire programme management teams to assist our clients deliver controlled change to transform their businesses and to solve some of the most interesting challenges facing organisations today by promoting an innovative and collaborative culture. We seek to develop new ideas and solutions to our client’s current challenges, as well as helping them navigate their businesses through the opportunities that the future will offer.

Atkins set high standards of integrity and ethics for our people. When joining Atkins, you benefit from a working environment that prioritises integrity and we also expect each individual who joins us to display these characteristics.  

With opportunities in our Cheltenham offices we have roles suitable for candidates who have a PMO, project support or coordination background in a Programme and Project Management environment. Demonstrable experience of consultancy or implementing technology in Programme environments is especially of interest, but not essential. The roles are working on assignments with our clients as a member of a project or PMO team alongside senior colleagues in delivering specific project services or outputs. The role would be ideal for those at the early stage of their career who are technically and/or academically qualified and are keen to pursue a career in P3M Consulting or for those who are looking to transfer their previous experience into a consultancy environment.

The majority of the work will be for our Government clients in the security and defence sectors, but there may be opportunities for you to expand into other sectors over time. Projects will be UK-wide and therefore travel may be expected for some assignments.

About you

The successful candidate will excel at working alongside clients, affecting change and delivering to a high standard in their environments. It is essential you possess well developed written and verbal communication skills and can demonstrate strong stakeholder skills or have consultancy experience. At times you may have competing priorities therefore good time management and prioritisation skills are essential.
 

Technical Delivery

A working knowledge and demonstrable experience in all or some of the following areas:

• Experience of working in a project delivery environment or PMO with a good understanding of structured and agile frameworks & methodologies (e.g. APMP, PRINCE2, SAFe, MSP) would be beneficial
• Ability to identify and analyse problems to recommend actions to clients, communicating both to key stakeholders and presenting information through reports, dashboards and slides as appropriate
• Ability to build relationships with immediate contacts
• Agile awareness and knowledge (e.g. Planning Increments, SCRUM, Kanban)
• Project planning, Scheduling, monitoring and reporting, with P6, Microsoft Project or JIRA experience desirable
• Risk and Issue management
• Requirements management
• Working knowledge of commercial and financial processes and ability to report financial data would be advantageous

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and assistance to support adherence to portfolio, programme and project processes, using influence to work with a range of stakeholders to agree appropriate governance
• Provide advice and guidance at key client meetings
• Lead in knowledge sharing activities with a view to developing continuous improvement to the service
• Provide advice and guidance to the client in the appropriate delivery approach and its application
• Advice and support to Planning
• Development and updates to Schedule
• Financial management
• Risk and Issue lifecycle management and maintenance
• Communications planning, delivery and maintenance
• Reporting and key management information assurance
• Mentoring and Coaching to other Atkins staff
   

Client Interaction

• Supporting colleagues in their day-to-day interactions with clients
• Engaging with our clients and/or representatives to provide day-to-day advice as required
• Ability to gather and interpret client requirements to form part of problem-solving activities
• Working within a multi-disciplinary team, either on client site or in the office
• Building relationships with clients at all levels in a business environment
• Gaining client trust
• Maintaining a flexible attitude to working in a multi-disciplinary environment

Practice and Business Development

• Sharing skills and knowledge with colleagues

• Contribute to the sales of P3MS Consulting work – including bid development
• Awareness of commercial drivers and implications, commercially astute, able to effectively manage assignments on time, on budget. 

Additionally, you will display the following characteristics:

• Teamwork – Ability to work cooperatively with others and provide help where required
• Communication – concise verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate confidently with all levels of stakeholder. 
• High emotional intelligence, and ability to listen, challenge and question effectively.
• Flexibility – Ability to adapt approach to individual situations and remain calm under pressure
• Customer Focus – Delivers a high level of customer service to our external and internal customers, including displaying leadership skills to help clients through different problems
• Achievement – Looks to exceed client aspirations and works to goals and manages obstacles. Energy, pride and determination in meeting targets and overcoming challenges
• Initiative – Ability to analyse data and situations, break down work into key tasks and activities
• A passion for developing technically and professionally
• Ethics and integrity – A collaborative team-player and operates to high behavioural standards and business ethics and is always an ambassador for our wider business
• Collegiate – Manage client demands whilst contributing to the development of the P3M Services Practice
• Role model behaviours – as a senior manager in our business, a passion for mentoring, coaching and developing others within the division
• Willing to work flexible working week if required. Understand the needs and constraints of projects and can flex around these constraints

Qualifications we expect:

• You have at least a degree or equivalent qualification and may hold, or be working towards professional qualifications
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office products such as Word and PowerPoint or equivalent, advanced Excel skills would be highly desirable
   

Why work for Atkins?
With Atkins you will be in a trusted, supported position, primarily client based, where you are able to apply both existing skills and develop new skills in complex and challenging situations. You will be able to share your knowledge and experience and learn from others within the team and you will have opportunities to become a mature, established and multi-skilled consultant.

Training
Atkins is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio of training and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.

Rewards and Benefits
Please refer to our website for details of our full benefits package. Flexible working options may be considered for this vacancy.

ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview.
If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.