Salary - £50,232 per annum

Be Part of a Journey Like No Other – Join GWR

At Great Western Railway, we're more than a train company - we're the proud custodians of Brunel's iconic railway, one of the most prestigious networks in the world. With over 100 million passenger journeys each year and more than 275 destinations across the South West, South Wales and London, we deliver travel experiences through some of the UK's most beautiful landscapes and top tourist spots.

We're not standing still. With a modern fleet and ambitious plans for growth, we're transforming the way people think about rail travel: relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

Our team of 6,000+ passionate colleagues - from engineers to on-board hosts - play a vital role in this transformation. And their efforts are paying off with GWR's Customer satisfaction score of 92% - our highest in 20 years!

These results show what's possible when teamwork, pride and passion drive everything we do. We've set a new standard. Now we're looking for more great people to help us keep raising it.

Ready to join something exceptional? Discover opportunities at GWR and be part of our journey. 

About the Team: 

The Programme Management Office (PMO) plays a central role within our Programmes Directorate. We provide the structure, support, and oversight that keep complex projects on track - ensuring consistency across programme, project, and change management. Acting as the hub for governance, delivery support, and performance reporting, the PMO drives successful outcomes and enables our teams to deliver real impact. 

About the Job: 

We're seeking a Portfolio Support Manager to play a key role in shaping how projects are delivered across our organisation. In this role, you'll make sure colleagues have the right tools, knowledge, and guidance to achieve success. 

Working across multiple portfolios, you'll support the delivery of projects in line with the PMO Strategy - our framework for how programmes and projects are managed and delivered at GWR. 

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in shaping how projects and programmes are managed across our organisation. You'll be at the centre of our PMO Strategy, helping to ensure projects run smoothly, efficiently, and to the highest standards. 

Your work will include delivering project management training, carrying out audits, and facilitating stage gate reviews. You'll also work closely with programme and project managers, providing expert guidance and ensuring that GWR standards and processes are consistently applied in line with our project management framework. 

Your main responsibilities will be: 

• Championing our project management processes, tools, and methods across all portfolios. 

• Leading portfolio steering groups - from setting agendas to tracking actions and outcomes. 

• Providing clear, accurate reporting on project health, risks, approvals, and compliance. 

• Overseeing change control and stage gate approvals to keep delivery on track. 

• Maintaining high standards through audits, reviews, and assurance checks. 

• Delivering training and coaching to build project management capability across teams. 

• Ensuring consistency and quality in all project and portfolio information. 

• Facilitating key meetings, workshops, and working groups to support delivery. 

• Guiding and supporting project managers to achieve successful outcomes. 

• Continuously refining and improving processes based on feedback from the project community. 

What we're looking for:  
We'd love to hear from you if you have experience and confidence in: 

• Applying project management methodologies and processes. 

• Managing project assurance, quality reviews, and change control. 

• Working across the full project life cycle, from planning through to delivery. 

• Understanding the disciplines that sit within programme and project management. 

What you'll bring: 

• Experience of working in a PMO or project management environment. 

• Hands-on project management experience, with a proven track record of delivery. 

• Familiarity with enterprise-wide project management systems. 

• A project management qualification such as PRINCE2 Practitioner or APM (or equivalent). 

• A programme management qualification Managing Successful Programmes (desirable but not essential). 

• Ideally, knowledge of P3M3 and/or experience 

Application:

Please apply online via our website https://careers.firstgroup.co.uk/brand-gwr 

If you have any problems applying, please email gwrrecruitment@gwr.com

The Reward:

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including:

• on-going development,
• defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme,
• free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family,
• discounted travel with other Train Operating Companies,
• company-sponsored health care plan,
• discounted shopping and gym membership,
• employee assistance programme and much more.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. 

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/

INGWR