Portfolio Manager

Job Description

Overview

 

The Portfolio Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance and financial performance of a Capital Maintenance Portfolio, overseeing multiple Project Managers and the delivery of a diverse programme of capital investment and maintenance schemes.

The role is accountable for ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in alignment with the Council's asset management strategy, funding requirements, programme objectives and performance targets. The Portfolio Manager provides leadership across programme delivery, financial management, resource planning, governance, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement, ensuring maximum value is derived from investment in the highway network.

 

Your role

 

Portfolio leadership and programme management

• Lead and manage a Capital Maintenance Portfolio, ensuring delivery of programme objectives, service outcomes and statutory obligations.
• Provide direction, oversight and support to Project Managers and delivery teams responsible for individual schemes and programmes.
• Develop and maintain an integrated portfolio programme, managing interdependencies, constraints, priorities and delivery risks.
• Ensure projects are successfully delivered to agreed scope, programme, budget, quality and performance requirements.
• Monitor portfolio performance and intervene where necessary to address programme, resource or delivery issues.
• Drive continuous improvement and best practice across project and programme delivery.

Financial management and PSR governance

• Manage the overall financial performance of the Capital Maintenance Portfolio. providing clear and audience-appropriate financial reporting to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee financial planning activities, including budget setting, resource allocation, expenditure monitoring, forecasting and cashflow management across the portfolio.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation, review and approval of Project Status Reports (PSRs), financial forecasts and business cases.
• Monitor and report programme costs, commitments and funding utilisation to maximise delivery within available budgets.
• Identify and manage financial risks, pressures and opportunities, ensuring timely escalation and mitigation.
• Support the development and approval of annual and multi-year capital investment programmes.
• Provide robust financial reporting and assurance to senior management, elected members and external funding bodies.
• Produce monthly SOFT portfolio reports for Internal Project Boards.

Resource management

• Lead resource planning across the portfolio combining local, non-local and GTC, ensuring the effective deployment of Project Managers, technical specialists, consultants and contractor resources.
• Balance workloads, capacity and capability to support efficient programme delivery.
• Identify resource constraints and develop mitigation strategies to maintain delivery performance.
• Support recruitment, succession planning, talent development and performance management within the project delivery team.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Governance, risk and assurance

• Ensure compliance with Local Authority governance requirements, capital delivery procedures and assurance processes.
• Oversee portfolio-level risk, issue and dependency management, ensuring appropriate mitigation and escalation.
• Chair portfolio performance reviews and governance meetings.
• Ensure effective programme controls are maintained, including change management, audit compliance and performance monitoring.
• Provide strategic oversight of NEC4 commercial, contractual and supplier performance, ensuring effective contract management, early warning management and resolution of commercial risks.

Stakeholder management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, elected members, consultants, contractors, utility companies and external partners.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership regarding investment priorities, programme delivery and risks.
• Lead communication and reporting on portfolio performance, achievements and challenges.
• Represent the service at governance boards, programme reviews and stakeholder forums.

Health, safety and sustainability

• Champion a strong culture of health, safety and wellbeing throughout the delivery portfolio.
• Ensure all projects comply with CDM Regulations, highways legislation, environmental requirements and corporate policies.
• Promote sustainability, innovation and efficient asset management principles throughout programme delivery.
• Demonstrate and promote the AtkinsRéalis Values of Safety, Integrity, Collaboration and Innovation.

 

About you

 

Person specification

• Managing major highways, infrastructure or capital delivery programmes.
• Financial management, forecasting and budget control.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams.
• NEC4 contract environments.
• Local Authority or public-sector programme delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Skills

• Portfolio and programme management.
• Leadership and people management.
• Financial and commercial management.
• Governance and risk management.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication.

Desirable

• APM PMQ, PRINCE2 Practitioner or equivalent.
• Membership of ICE, CIHT or APM.
• Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Key performance measures

• Delivery of programme objectives within approved budget and timescales.
• Accurate forecasting and financial control.
• Effective utilisation of available funding.
• Achievement of portfolio performance targets.
• Health and safety performance.
• Stakeholder satisfaction.
• Delivery of continuous improvement initiatives.

Rewards & benefits

 

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

 

About AtkinsRéalis

 

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

 

Additional information

 

Security clearance

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. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. 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.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

#LI-UK#LI-ATKINS #LI-Transportation

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.