This is an exciting opportunity where you will play a key role in leading and facilitating the provision of Accommodation Centres (ACs) to house and support destitute individuals who have arrived in the UK via unauthorised routes to claim asylum whilst the Home Office assesses their claims. The Portfolio Director will work directly to the SRO and support the wider programme team to plan for and ensure delivery of programme outcomes on time, to a high standard and on budget.You will ensure that clear and deliverable plans are in place, including comprehensive business cases, and maintain a strong grip on delivery against outcomes. You will be an active member of the senior leadership team of the programme, gaining the trust of Ministers and senior officials to shape the programme’s direction of travel and ensure successful deliveryThe role involves working with delivery, policy, operational and digital colleagues, as well as with senior Home Office officials, Ministers, and across Whitehall. You will be responsible for providing a strong programme grip on the overall scope and delivery of the programme outcomes.You will own the overall programme plan, deliver and maintain the programme business case, ensuring the right assurance is in place and external assurance from IPA, Cabinet Office and Internal Audit is well supported.You will work jointly with other Deputy Directors within the programme, and in A&P operations to ensure the programme is coherent and focused on delivery.You will have an ability to bring structure and order to complexity. You should be comfortable working at pace in a complex, fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environment with high levels of senior visibility. You will need to work collaboratively, be up for building strong relationships quickly, and be able to influence through others. You will be an inspirational and visible leader who champions diversity.The role will report to the Director of Asylum Accommodation Centres, Cheryl Avery, who is also SRO for the programme.
Supporting the SRO in driving forward the delivery of the complex Programme ensuring a strong PPM methodology is adoptedOversight of a team of project managers delivering individual accommodation centresEnsuring the programme evolves to reflect changes in strategic directives and business priorities. Secure the provision of resources needed from internal and external providers.Ownership of business case development. Oversee appropriate levels of assurance, both at Business Case decision points and on overall programme governance and progressMaintaining strong links with the Asylum & Protection Transformation Programme and Sovereign Borders programme.Maintaining oversight of programme progress and assurance delivery to time cost and quality. Align assurance and reporting processes to the Customer Services portfolio, Migration and Borders transformation portfolio and the Illegal Migration Portfolio.Identifying and manage dependencies between other Home Office programmes including Sovereign Borders and the Asylum & Protection Transformation programme.Ensuring that risks are fully identified and managed with mitigations and tolerances in place, make decisions in response to escalated risks or opportunities.Cultivating and managing a range of relationships and key strategic alliances with internal and external stakeholders. Lead senior stakeholders and Ministers in regularly reviewing the continuing relevance of projects based on a clear understanding of cost, risk and contribution to strategic objectives.