PMO Manager (Program Controls)

Exciting opportunity to work with a leading contracting company who are looking to appoint a PMO Manager to oversee and strengthen project governance across a diverse portfolio, working from their HQ in Riyadh. This role is critical in establishing and maintaining a robust project management framework, ensuring consistency, control, and visibility across all projects. The PMO function provides leadership with a clear line of sight on time, cost, risk, and contractual exposure, safeguarding the business from delivery and commercial risk.

Responsibilities

• Own and implement the project governance framework, including stage-gate processes and reporting standards
• Provide portfolio-level visibility on programme, cost, risk, and contractual performance
• Conduct project health checks and assurance reviews, particularly on at-risk projects
• Establish and audit planning standards (WBS, baseline control, schedule integrity using Primavera P6 or equivalent)
• Consolidate and report critical path, progress, and milestone performance
• Implement standardised cost reporting, forecasting, and cashflow management
• Maintain oversight of contractual notices and obligations across NEC, FIDIC, and JCT environments
• Ensure compliance with contractual timeframes and prevent risk related to missed notices or time bars
• Lead the risk management framework, including quantitative analysis and contingency tracking
• Ensure procurement schedules align with project programmes and highlight supply chain risks
• Define and enforce document control and EDMS standards, ensuring robust project records
• Support completion planning, including handover, commissioning, and close-out documentation
• Own PMO systems, tools, and reporting platforms, ensuring a single source of truth
• Maintain PMO standards, procedures, templates, and governance processes
• Degree qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field
• Minimum 10–15 years’ experience in project controls / PMO / programme management within construction or infrastructure
• Proven experience working in the Middle East (GCC preferred)
• Previous experience with a PMC, Consultancy, or client-side organisation
• Strong knowledge of project controls disciplines including planning, cost, risk, and reporting
• Demonstrated experience working under FIDIC, NEC, or JCT contracts, with strong commercial awareness
• Proficiency in project management and controls tools such as Primavera P6, cost systems, and reporting platforms
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills, with the ability to challenge and influence senior teams