Head of PMO

We have partnered with a large, diversified UAE-based conglomerate to appoint a Head of PMO, a critical Group-level leadership role responsible for building and leading the Enterprise Programme Management Office from the ground up. This is a high-visibility mandate, reporting directly to the CEO, with full accountability for programme governance, portfolio delivery and the Group's strategic transformation agenda.This role is suited to a leader who has been there before, someone who has designed, implemented and scaled an EPMO within a complex, multi-business environment and knows how to translate strategy into structured, measurable execution. You will be the connective tissue between the Group's ambition and its ability to deliver.About the role:Design and implement the Group-wide EPMO from the ground up, including governance frameworks, operating models, delivery standards and portfolio reportingOwn the end-to-end transformation portfolio, ensuring alignment with Group strategy and clear value realisationLead, develop and scale a high-performing team of programme, project and change management professionalsEstablish portfolio planning, prioritisation, budgeting and benefits tracking across all Group initiativesDefine and enforce programme governance, risk management, controls and reporting frameworksServe as a trusted advisor to the C-Suite and Board, providing clear visibility on progress, risks, dependencies and outcomesDrive structured change management disciplines to ensure sustainable adoption across the organisationPartner with business unit leaders, functional heads and external partners to deliver complex, cross-functional programmes at pace About you:15+ years of experience in PMO leadership, programme management or transformation roles within large, complex, multi-business-unit organisations - OR a minimum of 3 years as a Principal or Senior Engagement Manager at a Tier 1 management consultancy with direct delivery accountability on enterprise-scale transformation programmesDemonstrated experience designing and implementing an Enterprise PMO from scratch - this is a non-negotiable requirementDeep familiarity with the dynamics of diversified groups or conglomerates, including matrix structures, multiple P&Ls and varying business unit maturityStrong command of programme governance, controls, risk management and portfolio delivery frameworksProven ability to lead and develop high-performing transformation functionsConfident stakeholder manager, comfortable operating at C-Suite and Board level without direct line authorityFluency across methodologies, Agile, PRINCE2, MSP, SAFe and hybrid, applied pragmatically