Project Portfolio Management Director

About Us

The Financial Times is one of the world's leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you're given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you'll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you'll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The Role

As Project Portfolio Management Director, you will provide enterprise leadership for Product & Technology portfolio management, establishing and leading the governance, planning and investment processes that enable the FT to deliver its strategic ambitions.

Partnering with executive leaders across Product, Technology, Editorial, Data, Commercial and Corporate functions, you will ensure organisational priorities, investment decisions, resources and delivery activities remain aligned to business objectives. You'll lead portfolio governance, business planning and investment forums while building a high-performing portfolio management capability that delivers transparency, operational excellence and measurable business value.

This is a highly strategic leadership role requiring exceptional commercial judgement, executive influence and the ability to translate organisational strategy into effective portfolio management practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide project portfolio management governance across the Product & Technology change portfolio.
• Drive long-term investment planning, strategic sequencing and prioritisation of initiatives.
• Own enterprise demand management, investment governance and portfolio intake processes.
• Facilitate executive governance forums, investment reviews and portfolio health discussions.
• Provide executive insight into portfolio performance, investment allocation, delivery risks, dependencies and capacity.
• Partner with Finance and senior business leaders on investment planning, forecasting, budget oversight and value realisation.
• Lead business planning, operating rhythms and organisational performance management across Product & Technology.
• Develop high-quality executive reporting and board materials that enable data-driven decision making.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing Project Portfolio Management and Business Operations function.
• Champion portfolio management best practice, continuous improvement and organisational capability development.

Required Skills and Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience establishing and leading enterprise project portfolio management functions.
• Proven experience operating at executive level within complex, matrixed organisations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience overseeing strategic investment portfolios.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise governance, operational planning and portfolio prioritisation.
• Outstanding executive stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience working with C-suite leaders.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience leading business transformation, operational effectiveness and organisational change.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into enterprise governance frameworks, portfolio management practices and operating models.
• Formal qualification or equivalent experience in recognised portfolio management frameworks such as Management of Portfolios (MoP) or SAFe Lean Portfolio Management.

Desirable

• Experience within media, publishing, digital subscription or technology-led organisations.
• Experience working within Agile product and technology operating environments.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, scaling or large-scale transformation programmes.

What's in it for You?

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here: https://aboutus.ft.com/careers/benefits.

We've embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the application process or interview. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Further Information

At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact [email protected].

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