Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager; Governance & Standards

Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager (Governance & Standards)

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As a Portfolio Planning & Assurance Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, data‑informed and independent portfolio planning and assurance services. You will be a trusted partner, enabling the Bank to achieve its strategic priorities by setting up projects and programmes for success. You will ensure the Portfolio Planning & Assurance team delivers effective portfolio management, ensuring all changes are traceable, accountable and deliver measurable benefits.

• Deliver Portfolio Management Practices: Drive the development and implementation of robust portfolio management practices with a strong emphasis on governance and standards, ensuring these practices support strategic alignment, transparency and value delivery across the enterprise.
• Define Minimum Standards: Establish and maintain clear, enforceable standards for business case development, project governance and reporting, embedding these standards into the project lifecycle.
• Set Portfolio Governance: Design and implement governance frameworks, processes and tools that enable effective oversight and decision‑making, ensuring structures are scalable, transparent and aligned with organisational goals.
• Oversee Prioritisation: Manage the prioritisation process for portfolio initiatives, ensuring decisions are based on strategic value, resource availability and risk considerations and facilitate alignment between business units and executive leadership.
• Risk Management: Develop and maintain governance structures to proactively identify, assess and mitigate risks at the portfolio level and embed risk management across all stages of the portfolio lifecycle.
• Challenge Business Cases: Critically evaluate proposed business cases to ensure they are well‑structured, feasible and aligned with strategic priorities, providing constructive feedback and guidance to improve quality.
• Approval Process: Implement clear, fair and efficient decision‑making processes for project approval and support governance bodies with the information and frameworks needed to make informed go/no‑go decisions.
• Improving for the Future: Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging practices and technological advancements in portfolio management, continuously assessing and evolving governance practices to enhance maturity and effectiveness.
• Act as a Role Model and Ambassador: Embody the values and purpose of the Bank and foster a supportive, inclusive, high‑performing team culture that encourages collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

• Demonstrable experience in preparing high‑quality written materials for senior governance committees, including the ability to distil complex information into clear, concise and actionable papers or reports.
• Proven experience in project management, preferably within the banking or financial services sector, with the ability to think ahead and innovate to meet business needs.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools, and the ability to make informed decisions and solve complex problems, often with incomplete information.
• Sound understanding of governance frameworks in relation to projects and programmes.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex and technical information effectively in written and oral form, adapting style to the audience.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams and think holistically to solve business decisions.
• Resilience and the ability to demonstrate resilience when delivering difficult messages or when met with resistance.

• Experience with in a similar organisation supporting portfolio definition and executing successful delivery, understanding business priorities and managing business partnerships.

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