Portfolio Management Office & Benefits Manager

At Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, we're not just about fighting fires; we're about leading innovation and embracing change. As a Portfolio Management Office (PMO) & Benefits Manager, you'll be at the forefront of our dynamic PMO team. We're committed to upholding the highest standards of excellence in project, programme, and portfolio management, ensuring that our change initiatives deliver unparalleled benefits and value to the people of Essex. A key focus for the role will be leading the way for benefits management at the Service, championing our vision, facilitating education, overseeing benefits management, and ensuring realisation of benefits maximising returns from our project investments. If you're passionate about driving positive change and delivering tangible benefits, come be a part of our journey towards a safer, and more efficient future as part of ECFRS's Innovation & Change team.

What You Will Be Working On

Leading our PMO team in providing a centre of excellence to the Service, offering the governance, tools & templates to deliver the projects and programmes within our change portfolio.

Ensuring transparency and accessibility of information through our PMO reporting, providing vital insights that drive decision-making at all levels.

Developing and championing our Benefits Management Framework, engaging with stakeholders in the identification, monitoring, and realisation of project and programme benefits.

Working with stakeholders across the Service of all levels, as well as offering indispensable support to our Portfolio Management Board (PMB) and Service Leadership Team.

Reporting into our Head of Portfolio, Governance & Assurance, and managing our Portfolio Officer & Portfolio Analyst., You will be required to submit a supporting statement of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification. You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count must not exceed 750 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.

You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications, or a CV) should you wish, though your additional document will only be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).

Assessment and selection:

The assessment and selection approach will be:

Stage 1
Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria of the person specification)

Stage 2
Presentation & Interview (details around the prestation will be shared with successful candidates 1 week prior)

Assessments will be made against positive indicators taken from the Code of Ethics, the NFCC Leadership Framework and the Person Specification.

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact Hannah Wakeman (Hannah.wakeman@essex-fire.gov.uk).

Our Culture and Benefits

Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.

You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits

Disability Confident

We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from everyone and values diversity in our workplace. A commitment to promoting diversity and developing a work environment where all staff are treated with dignity and respect is central to our recruitment process and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We are looking for someone with a passion for organisation & planning, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, who has a positive attitude to delivering change. Applicants should have previous experience in a "change" type role with knowledge of project, programme and/or portfolio management and best practice methodologies, ideally with a change qualification such as Prince2, P3O, or Management of Benefits. We would love to find someone with experience in a benefits management role previously, demonstrating an understanding of benefits, in either the public or private sector., Level 4 standard of education (foundation degree/NVQ Level 4 or equivalent) or demonstrable equivalent at work.

A professional project management, benefits management, or equivalent qualification, i.e. Prince 2 or APMG Managing Benefits.

Previous experience in a "change" role with knowledge of project, programme and/or portfolio management, including best practice methodologies.

Previous experience of benefits management.

If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting., Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.