Manager - PMO

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager - PMO (Project Management Office) to lead and oversee the successful delivery of programs, projects, and initiatives across Bupa Arabia (Operations). In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing cross-functional teams to ensure the timely, compliant, and high-quality execution of projects, including regulatory and risk-related items. Your leadership will be instrumental in aligning projects with organizational priorities, fostering collaboration, and driving operational excellence while maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including regulators such as SAMA and CHI.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Portfolio Management

As the Manager - PMO, you will play a central role in managing project portfolios and ensuring alignment with Bupa Arabia’s strategic objectives. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert guidance and support to project managers and teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure successful delivery.
• Establishing and maintaining robust project management standards, methodologies, and best practices to drive consistency and excellence across all projects.
• Overseeing both IT and non-IT operational projects, ensuring effective governance, transparent reporting, and timely delivery.
• Managing operational risks and internal audit agendas to closure, mitigating potential issues before they escalate.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing project managers and team members to enhance their skills and performance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Risk Management & Compliance

To safeguard Bupa Arabia’s operations, you will conduct thorough assessments to evaluate compliance with operational requirements and regulatory standards. This includes:

• Identifying business opportunities and highlighting potential risks to ensure proactive mitigation strategies are in place.
• Conducting risk assessments and developing tailored mitigation strategies to minimize compliance risks and ensure adherence to operational guidelines.
• Performing project reviews and facilitating lessons-learned sessions to identify areas for improvement and promote a culture of continuous learning.
• Developing and implementing policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, laws, and industry standards.
• Monitoring and interpreting operational changes and requirements in the healthcare industry to adapt strategies accordingly.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

Effective stakeholder engagement is critical to the success of any project. In this role, you will:

• Design and implement a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy to identify the needs of key groups, including sponsors, and ensure their requirements are met.
• Select and apply the most effective methodologies to communicate, collaborate, and interact with stakeholders who have a positive or negative influence on project outcomes.
• Monitor and report on compliance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management and operational bodies as required.
• Maintain open and transparent communication channels with internal departments such as legal, compliance, quality assurance, and operations to address operational compliance issues.
• Provide guidance and training to employees on operational requirements, ensuring a clear understanding and adherence to compliance standards.

Customer-Centric Approach & Operational Partnerships

Understanding and optimizing the customer journey is essential to Bupa Arabia’s success. You will:

• Analyze and enhance the customer journey, focusing on metrics such as Net Promoter Score (NPS) to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Collaborate with internal partners to assess and address operational compliance issues, ensuring seamless integration across departments.
• Manage the process of responding to operational inquiries, including gathering necessary information, preparing documentation, and coordinating responses in a timely manner.

Executive-Directed Initiatives & Ad-Hoc Tasks

In addition to managing ongoing projects, you will be responsible for:

• Quickly assessing and prioritizing tasks assigned by senior management, ensuring timely and efficient completion.
• Collaborating with various departments to gather necessary information and resources to address ad-hoc tasks effectively.
• Keeping management informed of the progress and status of ad-hoc tasks, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Skills & Qualifications

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Proven experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and Visio.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Power BI, SAS, and Cognos for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights.

Communication & Leadership

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in both English and Arabic, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to take initiative in driving projects forward.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and maintain positive internal and external relationships, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in project management, preferably within the healthcare or financial services sector.
• Experience in managing operational projects, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation in a corporate environment.

If you are a results-driven leader with a passion for project management and a commitment to operational excellence, we invite you to apply for this challenging and rewarding role as our Manager - PMO.