Director, Project & Portfolio Management

Overview

This is a 6 to 9 month interim leadership assignment with a media organisation in London. The role sits inside IR35 and follows a hybrid working model, with the flexibility to work remotely and from London. The successful person will support a period of change by acting as an extension of the VP of Portfolio Management, helping shape a new operating model and standardise internal project and portfolio processes.

The position is focused on improving how portfolios, projects, governance, and ways of working are managed across the organisation while the senior leadership team and wider business continue to evolve.

Key responsibilities

• Turn strategic priorities into practical delivery plans, with milestones and clear next actions.
• Serve as a connecting point across technology, product, business, governance, and programme delivery teams.
• Keep key initiatives progressing by maintaining pace, focus, and visibility across delivery work.
• Lead change efforts and help the business move toward the new operating model across portfolios and projects.
• Spot risks, blockers, and coordination issues early, then work with the relevant teams to resolve them.
• Coordinate work across several teams and help remove obstacles that could slow delivery.
• Prepare concise, high-quality progress updates for senior stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Attend important meetings and governance forums, representing the VP where needed.
• Act as an interim bridge between governance, project leadership, and programme delivery leadership across product and technology functions.

Experience and background

• Significant experience in senior leadership roles within complex, matrixed organisations.
• Strong enterprise-level portfolio management experience across multiple organisations, including governance for portfolios covering digital, product, technology, and engineering teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in change and transformation across different delivery approaches such as Waterfall and Agile.
• Solid grasp of commercial priorities, financial planning and tracking, strategic investment, and portfolio decision-making.
• Proven ability to lead governance, business planning, prioritisation, and operational management activities.
• Advanced stakeholder management and influencing capability, with exposure to C-suite and executive audiences, plus supplier management experience.
• Background in senior technology leadership within large, complex organisations; experience in media, publishing, or e-commerce would be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional information

This is a multidimensional leadership role offering the chance to work closely with a senior leader and act as a direct extension of their office. The company is looking for someone who can support transition, bring structure to portfolio governance, and help stabilise delivery during a period of organisational change.

Working arrangement

Location: London Area, United Kingdom. Working style: Hybrid, with both remote working and office-based time in London. Contract duration: 6 to 9 months. Engagement type: Inside IR35.