PMO Manager

Worldpac•Oak Brook, IL

About The Position

Overview of Position: The PMO Manager oversees the Project Management Office and ensures the successful execution of projects across the organization. The PMO Manager will develop and enforce project management standards, tools, methodologies, and governance to support strategic initiatives and deliver business value. The role requires strong leadership, organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work cross-functionally with various teams. This position is pivotal in driving the successful prioritization and delivery of a diverse range of projects and initiatives that align with Worldpac’s strategy goals. The PMO Manager will be instrumental in designing and implementing a Project Office, with project governance processes, PM tools and methodologies which ensure that projects are being tracked and objectives are met, while cultivating a culture of efficiency and collaboration. Also, by serving as an expert Project Manager on select large projects, the PMO Manager will also provide expert-level Project Management skills and delivery to critical enterprise wide projects. Success in this position requires both strong technical skills and the ability to understand and prioritize business initiatives. Excellent communication and partnership with business stakeholders at all levels of the organization, and the ability to thrive and balance competing priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment is mandatory. Organization, process focus, attention to detail, and a planning and problem-solving mindset will enable the candidate to assist with project delivery across the company.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience
PMP Certification (Project Management Professional) required
A minimum of 10-12 years experience in project management, with at least 4-5 years in a PMO Lead or IT Management role.
Proven track record of managing large-scale and complex projects from initiation to completion.
Experience with change management and business transformation initiatives.
Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or other iterative project management frameworks.
Ability to navigate organizational complexities and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Strong expertise in project management software and tools, including but not limited to Jira and Confluence, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, etc.
Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable insights.
Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire indirect teams across different functions and geographies.
Skilled in presenting complex findings in a clear and actionable manner.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment.
Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Windows operating systems.

Nice To Haves

Agile Certification preferred
Business experience from a similar role in a geographically dispersed, multi-site environment, with both corporate IT and field responsibility.
A sound business understanding of the distribution industry strongly preferred.
Must be able to occasionally work shifts or flexible work schedules as needed including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

Manage project priorities, resource allocation and workload distribution to ensure on-time, high-quality data analysis, reporting products and deliverables.
Collaborate with CIO and other senior leadership to define the vision and objectives of the PMO, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
Create and maintain a roadmap and toolset for project delivery that aligns with business priorities and drives operational excellence. Define and implement best practices for project metrics, scheduling, budgeting, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement.
Develop Standards and Best Practices through establishment, documentation and continuously improving project management methodologies, templates, and tools to ensure consistency and efficiency across all projects.
Project Portfolio Oversight through maintaining a comprehensive view of all ongoing and upcoming projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Act as the primary point of contact for project status updates, providing transparency to stakeholders through dashboards, reports, and regular communication.
Create and update resource visibility through oversight of allocation of people, financial, and technological resources to ensure optimal project delivery. Anticipate future resource needs and work proactively with departmental leads to address gaps.
Develop governance frameworks for Project Onboarding and Offboarding; create and maintain governance deliverables and artifacts and ensure that they are followed for all projects to meet quality, scope, and compliance standards. Establish clear escalation paths for addressing challenges or deviations from the plan.
Implement proactive risk identification, assessment, and mitigation strategies to minimize potential disruptions to projects. Lead resolution efforts for project-related issues, ensuring minimal impact on delivery timelines or outcomes.
Act as a liaison between project teams, executive leadership, and external stakeholders to ensure clarity, alignment, and support. Foster a collaborative environment that encourages open communication and innovative solutions.
Lead Project Performance Tracking and Reporting by defining and measuring key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of individual projects and the overall effectiveness of the PMO. Deliver actionable insights and recommendations to leadership based on data-driven analysis.
Manage and lead direct report Analyst(s), providing guidance, mentorship and support. Hire, train, and manage the team and their performance through regular 1:1 discussions, prioritization of work, and delivery of effective feedback. Provide guidance, appropriate training, role clarity, and motivation that enable their success and establish a positive working environment
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.