Job Abstract

Candidate Background 

The ideal candidate will have experience in setting up and leading a data-driven organization or transforming an existing organization into a data-driven one. A critical success factor for this role is the ability to strategically align data and AI projects with Cushman & Wakefield’s long-term goals. This includes a keen understanding of emerging technologies and market trends, the capacity to prioritize initiatives based on value generation and risk assessment, and the skill to foster collaboration among cross-functional teams to drive innovation and efficiency. Effective communication and stakeholder management are also essential to ensure that the portfolio advances the organization's objectives and delivers tangible benefits. 

The Portfolio Lead will have significant experience with proven ability of operating effectively in a global organization, managing complex programs, and a background of managing effectively within a structured portfolio environment.  Experience building and continually improving portfolio governance processes and tools is a plus.  The right candidate will have exceptional executive communication skills, proven experience identifying interdependencies and potential collisions across a broad program landscape, and keeping teams continually focused on delivery against a defined scope.  

Job Description (summary of the role purpose): 

• Portfolio governance and management: The portfolio lead ensures that all projects follow the appropriate governance, methodologies, processes, and standards. They also plan, schedule, and manage the resources and dependencies for the portfolio.? 

• Reporting and analytics: The portfolio lead provides regular reports on the portfolio, program, and project status, resource demand, and financials. They use the standards set by the C&W enterprise PMO.? 

• Collaboration and partnership: The portfolio lead collaborates with change management, communications, and cross-functional teams to implement solutions. They also partner with key stakeholders and leaders across the business and within TDS to deliver strategic outcomes. They manage relationships and negotiate where applicable.? 

• Risk and issue management: The portfolio lead is responsible for ensuring that operational risks and issues are considered and reported during the design, development, and implementation of projects. They also identify and mitigate common or significant risks impacting the portfolio.? 

• Quality Management: Ensure the quality, reliability, and scalability of AI and data solutions, as well as compliance with data privacy, security, and ethical standards are signed off/adhered to. 

• Mentoring and coaching: The portfolio lead is responsible for mentoring more junior members of the team, providing guidance and direction to ensure the team's success.? 

• Governance and decision making: The portfolio lead sets up and participates in governance boards, steering committees, and roadmap discussions to guide decision making on project sequencing, dependencies, and conflicts. They also provide oversight on feasibility studies, systems roadmaps, and business cases.?Develop best practices to accelerate AI and Data solution development. 

Responsibilities: 

Responsibilities may vary within the range of tasks and activities described, with specific objectives being set, documented, and reviewed by the Head of PMO 

Portfolio Management: 

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive roadmap and portfolio of the organisation's AI and data projects and products, aligning them with the organisation's strategic goals and priorities. 

• Support operating model design, suggesting and implementing improvements 

• Collaborate with leadership to define and prioritize projects in the portfolio. 

• Manage and execute planning, scheduling, resource requirements and dependencies for the portfolio 

• Utilize project management tools and methodologies to monitor and control project activities for all projects in the portfolio, tracking project progress, milestones, and deliverables.  

• Provide reporting and analytics including Portfolio, Program and Project Status, and Resource Demand Management. 

• Manage and report risks and issues to projects in the portfolio. 

• Report Portfolio financials including budget, forecast and actuals. 

• Produce regular Portfolio status reports using standard documentation and tools, ensuring inclusion of timely and accurate information. 

• Manage interdependencies with other projects or programs both within and outside the portfolio. 

• Manage relationships with key owners across TDS and within individual functions, business units. 

• Manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders to influence and negotiate where applicable. 

• Manage relationships with strategic vendor partners. 

• Manage and Chair Portfolio meetings as required. 

• Remove or mitigate barriers to success. 

• Contribute to defining PMO governance and methodology and ensure adherence with project teams. 

• Participate in COE and roadmap discussions, suggest improvements.  

• Partner with change management team to ensure alignment of any change, training and comms plans 

Project Management (as applicable): 

• Build and maintain detailed project plans – including dependencies and critical path management. 

• Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, managing their expectations, and ensuring clear and effective communication throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize their impact on the project. Proactively manage issues as they arise to keep the project on track. 

• Manage changes to project scope, schedule, and costs. Evaluate the impact of changes and communicate adjustments to stakeholders. 

• Maintain project documentation, including reports, schedules, budgets, and other relevant records. Provide regular updates and status reports to stakeholders and leadership. 

• Collaborate effectively with change management team, incorporate training and communications, ensuring plans for projects within the portfolio are consistent with the size and profile of the project, and follow a defined framework. 

• Ensure operational risks and issues are considered and reported during the design, development and implementation of projects. 

• Maintain regular progress meetings and continuity with the relevant business owner(s) and Steering Committees 

• Ensure that projects are transitioned to Business as Usual and Operational Support following a formal gate review process. 

Qualifications: 

• At least 10 years of experience in leading and managing data projects and teams. 

• 4-6 years of experience in leading and managing AI projects and teams, preferably in a data-driven environment. 

• Blend of experience across business operations and technology, including support of enterprise technology change management. 

• Strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to translate business problems and opportunities into AI and data solutions. 

• Leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a diverse and talented team. 

Skills & Personal Qualities: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication  

• Financial acumen 

• Highly adept at project and change management 

• High level of organization  

• Solution oriented problem solver 

• Strong prioritization skills  

• Analytical and data-driven 

• Team Player with strong collaboration skills 

• Management and leadership skills 

• Self-starter 

• Ability to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences 

• Keen attention to detail  

• Ability to perform under pressure 

• Strategic mindset and ability to envision end state and the milestone activities to achieve