Job Description

Portfolio Planning Manager - Guidance & Education Systems

c. 65,000 per annum

Bedford

18 Month FTC

Hybrid Working

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for planning and driving project success across complex portfolios? The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is seeking a proactive Portfolio Planning Manager to join our Guidance & Education Systems Team within the Customer Directorate. In this pivotal role, you'll provide high-quality planning and support across a diverse portfolio of projects and workstreams during a key period of organisational change and growth. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and empower people to make the most of their money and pensions, we'd love to hear from you!

Role Overview

The Portfolio Planning Manager will report directly to the Strategic Planning & Portfolio Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for:

Key Responsibilities:

Planning and Scheduling

Develop and support the maintenance of project and portfolio plans and dependencies across the Guidance and Education Systems Team, including using planning software (Microsoft Planner, Project and Gantt Pro) to enable this Work collaboratively with the planning & portfolio lead and workstream leads to ensure that key planning artefacts such as plans on a page and visual critical path are developed, maintained and up to date. Develop and support workstream leads with creating detailed plans, working collaboratively where required with PMO

Risk and Issue Management

Assist in the identification and management of risks and issues in line with MaPS' risk management policies. Work with risk owners and managers to keep risk information up to date and of the best quality. Assist the team to review risks and to highlight through appropriate reporting and governance Use Corestream (corporate risk management tool) to manage risks, develop your knowledge of the tool and champion its use.

Reporting and governance

Lead the monthly portfolio highlight reporting regime, ensuring contributors are providing quality updates and meet reporting deadlines. Co-ordinate workshops and meetings that contribute to the governance and controls of the portfolio

Information Management

Act as gatekeeper for the portfolio planning library, ensuring key artefacts are stored, versioned and accessible

Standards and Ways of Working

Contribute to the continuous improvement of planning processes, tools, and templates Contribute to the implementation of best practice portfolio management standards and methodologies.

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience.

To excel in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

Experience in project and portfolio management with a keen interest in developing these skills further Knowledge and awareness of the following Project Delivery competencies:
o Risk and Issue Management

o Reporting and governance

o Planning and Change control

Strong proficiency in the Microsoft office suite with a willingness to learn new systems Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise activities to deliver greatest value Evidence of operating and delivering results both independently, collaboratively and as part of a team Able to work at pace to produce high quality products The ability to establish and develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, bringing people together to benefit the project The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and adverse situations The ability to think of, research and apply new ideas and ways of doing things

About Us

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.

At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values - caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We're not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

Caring

We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.

Connecting

We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.

Transforming

We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working Environment

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to "bring their whole selves to work."

Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women's health, men's health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

Generous Annual Leave - 30 days plus Bank Holidays

Pension scheme - contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)

Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains

Cycle to work Scheme

Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs

Life assurance scheme

Give as you earn scheme

Employee assistance programme (EAP)

PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)

Enhanced family and sick pay

Paid volunteering (2 days a year)

Recognition Scheme

Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working

At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Career Development

In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.

Reserve List

If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.

Application Process

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Job Reference:

MaPS00929

Close Date:

02/09/2025

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Pay: 65,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bedford MK42 9AP