Version 1 is a Technology Services company, delivering impactful change to help our customers navigate the rapidly changing digital-first world. We have recently hired our 3000th employee, doubling in size since 2020. We plan to triple in size in the next 5 years. We are 12 years a Best Workplace in Ireland (GPTW 1st place), 5 in the UK (GPTW 5th place) and 1 in India (GPTW 1st place).

We work hard to ensure we understand what our customers need from their technology solutions and then we deliver. We are an award-winning company who provide world class customer service; we think big, and we hire great people.

One of the reasons Version 1 is successful is that we constantly challenge ourselves to do better and think bigger. We drive progress and improvement every year to benefit our customers, our people, and our own organisation.  

We have an existing 5-year strategy and each year we build a detailed Business Plan which executes against that strategy, providing detailed targets and initiatives to execute against to achieve our long-term goals. Dozens of people across the organisation are involved every year in preparing that plan, and then in delivering  it.  

Since the investment from leading global private equity company Partners Group investment in Version 1 in July 2022, we have set top level initiatives, aligned to our strategy, that will accelerate our growth and be transformational for our business and if successfully implemented, will create significant company value.

To ensure we deliver our strategic initiatives and our associated annual business plan targets, we are setting up a PMO to support in delivery of those initiatives and to track progress.  This role will manage the relationship with our Private Equity investor to ensure they are kept up-to-date on progress against the initiatives and to get their input or support where it’s needed.

Role

In order to direct and drive Version 1’s transformation and create value, the company are in the process of setting up a formal PMO office. The Head of Strategic PMO is a new role in the company. The role will report directly to the Director of People, Planning and Strategy and has significant exposure to the company’s Board, C-Suite and to Partners Group, our Private Equity majority investor.

The role will be responsible for continually monitoring, supporting, re-shaping, and driving value creation initiatives within Version 1 through our Strategic Initiatives and annual Business Plans.  The role will provide visibility to a huge breadth of the Version 1 business and enable you to build relationships and understand the needs of our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Project Management

• You will be supporting the development and driving the execution of specific initiative plans in cooperation with key executives from throughout the company.
• Many of our Strategic Initiatives are inter-linked. You will be key to ‘joining the dots’ across the initiatives by working with executives and owners to make sure everyone is aligned and delivering against the same goals.
• You will act as a sparring partner to senior management on various business issues they encounter – advising them on how to best handle these issues in a structured, effective way

PMO Operations

• You will ensure that all elements of the Strategic Initiatives are in train, with clear scope, owners, plans, KPIs and timelines. You’ll eliminate duplication of data and effort.
• You’ll support the preparation of the annual company Business Plan
• You’ll set up the right reporting cadence across the Strategic Initiatives and the annual Business Plan
• You will develop, promote, and maintain standards and tools for project management, with the goal of delivering every project on time, within budget and within scope.
• You’ll be responsible for defining and delivering reporting updates from across the Strategic Initiative owners.
• You’ll monitor and report on investment spend and return on investment for the CEO and the Board.

Stakeholder Management

• You’ll work with our Private Equity investor to make sure they have the information they need about our strategic initiatives and KPIs.
• You’ll prepare regular updates for the Board, both formal and informal as required.
• You’ll work with the leadership of all our key functions including Commercial, Delivery, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, People, Finance - pulling the right groups of people together to get things done.
• You’ll manage conflicting demands and interests across the initiatives to ensure the primary goal of initiative achievement and value creation are achieved.

This is an opportunity to be responsible for driving transformative change in the context of private equity owned company that has ambitious targets. Success in this role will provide an excellent platform for a subsequent step into other leadership roles within Version 1

Qualifications

Given the nature of the role, strong interpersonal skills, drive, and strategic thinking are mandatory. In addition:

• Either experience in a  consultancy environment and/or a candidate with significant in-house PMO experience in a multi-programme, multi-project environment is preferred.
• You’ll have ideally worked both in as a hands-on project/programme manager and in a PMO capacity so that you understand the challenges and opportunities of both roles.
• Good knowledge of project management methodologies, tools and best practices
• Ability to structure and monitor projects, ideally in a complex matrix environment
• Experience in collaborating with a diverse set of people, across groups, organisational levels and cultures.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills
• Proven ability to influence people and strategic direction without direct control and/or authority
• Ability to challenge initiative owners in a constructive way with respect to overall feasibility and impact of initiatives.
• Proven ability to work at pace in a fast-paced environment. In a PE-backed environment would be an advantage.
• Understanding of a Technology Services environment would be an advantage

We work in a hybrid way at Version 1. This role can be based in or near any Version 1 location in UK or Ireland. Occasional travel will be required.

• Quarterly performance related profit share (Paid the last 53 quarters)
• Certified Great Place to Work for 10 years in a row (Number 1 in Ireland)
• Career Progression (709+ CPD Promotions in last 2022)
• Generous Holiday Allowance
• Employee Discount Scheme - available online and in a wide range of stores
• Flexible and Remote working Options
• Lunchtime activities including but not limited to fitness, yoga, financial advice and wellbeing.
• Pension
• Private Healthcare Cover
• Life Assurance
• Offer incentives for accreditations and educational assistance for courses relevant to your role.
• Wide range of reward schemes including:
• Version 1 Excellence Awards (annual)
• ‘Call-Out’: platform where colleagues grant you points that can be exchanged for gifts.
• Fostering several Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging schemes
• And many more exciting benefits…