PMO Manager Lead

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Location: Ottawa, Canada. This hybrid role allows flexibility to work from home, but requires presence in the office as needed.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Head of PMO, the PMO Manager Lead works closely with Program Managers to ensure that Thales’ in-service support programs are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with Thales’ strategic objectives. This role oversees governance, relational contracting, communications, planning, risk, training, performance and reporting, to maintain consistency and excellence across all initiatives.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Leadership & Governance
  • Lead the PMO to ensure consistent application of governance, methodologies and standards across Thales’ in-service support programs.
  • Maintain frameworks, tools and processes supporting project delivery and reporting.
  • Establish and control the program business rhythm.
• Program Oversight
  • Monitor project performance, risks and deliverables to support proactive decision-making.
  • Manage resource planning and prioritization for optimal execution.
• Resource Management
  • Provide management support to the PMO team, including skills and capability development, task allocation, objective setting and training.
• Planning, Performance & Risk Management
  • Support integrated project planning, scheduling and performance tracking.
  • Oversee identification and mitigation of risks, maintaining accurate risk registers and action plans.
  • Implement lessons learned and improvement actions across programs.
  • Manage travel and living requirements.
• Relational Contracting & Communications
  • Facilitate effective communications between leadership, engineering, operations and the Customer.
  • Promote transparency and clarity in program communications.
  • Author and maintain a Relationship Management Plan and Relationship Charter.
  • Plan, develop, implement and measure a Relational Contracting culture within the team and the Enterprise.
  • Facilitate Lessons Learned sessions to embed the culture within the program.
• Training & Capability Development
  • Design and deliver training to strengthen project management capability across the programs.
  • Mentor project managers and coordinators in governance, planning and risk management best practices.
  • Build a culture of knowledge sharing and professional growth within the PMO.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Drive automation, standardization and digital transformation within PMO operations.
  • Enhance program analytics and reporting using tools such as Power BI.
  • Champion process optimization and operational excellence initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Business Management is preferred, or relevant proven experience.
• Certified Practicing Project Manager or equivalent (IPMA and/or PMP certification).
• Minimum 10‑15 years of experience supporting or managing complex projects.
• Extensive experience working in a PMO within complex programs, particularly in the Defence and Aerospace sectors.
• Evidence of the ability to provide coaching and development for less‑experienced team members.
• Comprehensive understanding of generic processes and techniques used to schedule Program activities (WBS, OBS, milestones, dependencies, EVM).
• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Program Management process, including Change Control and the Program lifecycle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced user of MS Office suite, particularly Excel, including pivot tables and charts.
• Intermediate knowledge of Power Query and Power BI.
• Advanced user in project scheduling software such as Primavera P6.
• Working knowledge of JIRA.

Special Position Requirements

• Type of Role: Hybrid (Home/Office) – flexibility to work from home but expected to be in office as required.
• Schedule: 40 hours per week.
• Physical Environment: Office environment.
• Travel: As required primarily within Canada.

What We Offer

• Company‑paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short‑term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well‑Being program.
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.
• Company‑paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave.
• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long‑Term Disability.
• Employee Discounts on home, auto and gym membership.

Compensation

Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position: CAD 111,460.75 – 185,430.80 per year.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon invitation. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.