Job Purpose
The Portfolio Manager plays a pivotal role in aligning business strategy with IT change delivery and operational excellence. This role is responsible for managing the full IT Change Portfolio, acting as the key strategic interface between the business and IT to ensure change initiatives are prioritised, governed and executed effectively. In addition, the Portfolio Manager oversees the delivery of cross‑functional process improvement initiatives to drive efficiency, optimisation, standardisation and improved customer and operational outcomes.
The Portfolio Manager is responsible for overseeing the performance and development of the following roles:
- Operations Business Product Owner
- Operations Business Change Manager
The role will lead the development and implementation of assigned initiatives and business improvement projects and play a key role in supporting the Head of Business Transformation and Executive Management Committee in delivering on its ‘Ambition 2030 Programme’ for profitable growth and market‑leading customer experience.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio & Governance Leadership
- Own and manage the end‑to‑end Change Portfolio from idea intake through prioritisation, governance, delivery and benefits realisation.
- Act as the interface between the business and IT, ensuring alignment of change initiatives with business strategy, risk appetite and delivery capacity.
- Review, challenge and support business cases to ensure strategic fit, return on investment and delivery feasibility.
- Lead portfolio prioritisation, sequencing and release planning in partnership with IT, including formal approval of software changes and production deployments.
- Develop effective and efficient methods of project management and governance and assure adherence to portfolio governance, risk and control frameworks.
- Maintain executive‑level portfolio reporting and provide insight to steering committees on progress, risks, dependencies and benefits delivery.
- Own IT change budget investment oversight.
- Ensure improvements are successfully implemented and benefits tracked, including efficiency gains, cycle‑time reduction and cost avoidance.
People & Delivery Oversight
- Build and mentor a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and excellence.
- Set clear objectives, manage performance and build capability across portfolio management, delivery discipline and continuous improvement.
Strategic Contribution
- Lead delivery of assigned strategic initiatives supporting Ambition 2030.
- Provide insights and deputise for the Head of Business Transformation as required, supporting senior leadership decision‑making.
- Champion continuous improvement and strong cross‑functional collaboration.
Skills & Experience
- Proven leadership and project/portfolio management experience in previous roles.
- Experience partnering with IT and understanding Agile/Waterfall development lifecycles.
- People management experience.
- Experience managing risks and governance frameworks.
- Effective stakeholder management at all levels; ability to quickly build relationships and establish credibility.
- Ability to communicate across all levels and articulate complex topics in a simple and easy‑to‑understand manner.
- Good knowledge and understanding of the business, economic and market environment in which the company operates.
- Awareness and understanding of the main risks facing the identified insurance and construction sectors and ability to lead a team to identify, assess, monitor, control and mitigate risks.
- Awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework and the regulatory requirements in which the Company operates and the expectations relevant to the role.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements
- University degree or equivalent.
Personal Attributes
- The highest level of integrity and ethics, both professional and personal.
- Strong analytical aptitude, fast learner.
- Highly organised and structured.
- Pragmatic and solution focused.
- Sets high standards, empowers and encourages accountability.
- A committed, constructive and effective team player with proven ability to inspire, trust and motivate team members and colleagues towards achieving challenging goals.
- Able to take a hands‑on approach where appropriate to engaging with teams/stakeholders.
- Strong financial acumen.
- Critical thinker and ability to appropriately challenge and influence.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At HSB, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi‑dimensional, intersectional and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school and career experiences; and political, religious and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued and has equitable opportunities to succeed.
All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.
Benefits
- 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays + Well‑being days.
- Up to 13% Pension contribution.
- Eligibility for an Annual Bonus.
- Private Medical & Dental.
- Life Assurance.
- Wellbeing and Development Scheme + EAP + Health Assessments (subject to scheme eligibility).
- Study & continuing Professional Development Support.
- Hybrid Working.
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