Senior PMO Consultant / PMO Lead (m/f/d)

Senior PMO Consultant / PMO LeadAbu Dhabi | Office based 9 Month Extendable Contract Role OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Senior PMO Consultant / PMO Lead to establish, design, and operationalize a best-in-class Project Management Office (PMO) for a leading Abu Dhabi-based organization.The successful candidate will be responsible for developing PMO governance frameworks, operating models, project delivery methodologies, policies and procedures, reporting structures, and portfolio management processes. This role requires a seasoned PMO professional with a strong background in portfolio and programme governance, stakeholder management, and organizational transformation.The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of building PMO functions from the ground up and driving governance excellence across complex project and transformation portfolios.Key ResponsibilitiesPMO Establishment & TransformationLead the setup and operationalization of a PMO function from inception to full implementation. Define the PMO vision, mandate, structure, and operating model. Develop PMO charters, governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and standards. Establish project, programme, and portfolio management methodologies. Implement PMO tools, templates, controls, and reporting mechanisms. Governance & ControlsDesign and implement governance structures and decision-making frameworks. Establish steering committees, governance forums, and stage-gate approval processes. Define project governance standards and compliance requirements. Monitor adherence to PMO policies, methodologies, and governance controls. Portfolio & Programme ManagementOversee enterprise project and programme portfolios. Support prioritization and alignment of initiatives with strategic objectives. Monitor portfolio performance, delivery progress, budgets, resources, risks, and dependencies. Drive portfolio optimization and benefits realization activities. Performance Monitoring & ReportingDevelop executive dashboards and portfolio reporting frameworks. Establish KPIs, performance metrics, and portfolio health indicators. Provide timely and accurate reporting to executive leadership and governance committees. Deliver insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making. Risk, Issue & Dependency ManagementImplement and maintain RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) management practices. Identify, assess, and escalate critical project and programme risks. Ensure mitigation plans and corrective actions are effectively managed. Support proactive resolution of cross-functional challenges. Stakeholder ManagementEngage with executives, programme sponsors, business leaders, and project teams. Facilitate governance meetings and executive steering committees. Build strong relationships across business and delivery functions. Influence key stakeholders to drive governance compliance and project success. PMO Maturity & Continuous ImprovementConduct PMO maturity assessments and identify improvement opportunities. Introduce best practices, industry standards, and governance enhancements. Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and delivery excellence. Support capability building and coaching across project teams. Required Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Engineering, or a related field. 10+ years of experience in PMO, programme management, portfolio management, or transformation delivery. Proven experience establishing and operationalizing PMOs from the ground up. Demonstrated experience developing governance frameworks, operating models, and PMO methodologies. Strong experience managing enterprise portfolios, programmes, and transformation initiatives. Experience developing executive dashboards, governance reporting, and performance frameworks. Excellent stakeholder engagement and executive communication skills. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Preferred ExperiencePrevious experience with Abu Dhabi Government or semi-government entities. Experience supporting large-scale transformation or strategic change programmes. Consulting experience within a leading advisory or professional services firm. Experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Preferred CertificationsPMP (Project Management Professional) PRINCE2 Practitioner PgMP (Program Management Professional) PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional) MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) PMI-PMOCP Agile or Scrum certifications Prosci Change Management (advantageous) Senior PMO Consultant / PMO Lead in Dubai, United Arab Emirates