Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
As Project Portfolio Governance Manager, you will ensure the Financial Times' change initiatives portfolio is governed, prioritised, and planned effectively. You will lead governance processes within Portfolio and Programmes, assessing proposed initiatives for strategic alignment, value creation, cost, risk, and feasibility before investment decisions. Acting as the gateway between idea generation and implementation, you will enable informed, data-driven decision-making, balancing organisational priorities, capacity, and investment to maximise business value. You will collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across Product, Technology, Editorial, Data, Commercial, and Corporate functions to promote transparent governance and effective portfolio planning.

Key Responsibilities
Lead portfolio intake and demand management processes, facilitating reviews of new initiatives and identifying duplication, consolidation opportunities, and appropriate delivery pathways. Partner with collaborators to shape and refine proposals, ensuring sufficient information is available for evaluation and prioritisation. Ensure initiatives are consistently assessed against governance standards, impact criteria, and investment requirements. Challenge arguments, assumptions, and benefit forecasts to support evidence-based investment decisions. Highlight risks, dependencies, opportunity costs, trade-offs, and capacity impacts to enable transparent prioritisation. Manage the quality and completeness of submissions to governance forums for senior leadership review. Lead portfolio capacity planning, maintaining visibility of demand, resource utilisation, and delivery constraints. Support quarterly and annual planning cycles with robust analysis and prioritisation recommendations. Produce governance reporting, monitor delivery against approved arguments, and provide actionable portfolio insights. Build trusted relationships with senior collaborators, promoting cooperation, responsibility, and effective portfolio governance. Drive continuous improvement by embedding standard portfolio management, lean governance, and outcome-based investment approaches. Support the automation and enhancement of portfolio management tools, reporting, and governance frameworks.

About Us
The Financial Times ranks among the world’s top news organisations and is known worldwide for its authority, integrity, and accuracy. Its mission is to provide quality information and services around the globe. At the FT, curiosity flourishes and ambitious thinking is appreciated. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters, and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations, and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. Without a set route, you’ll uncover new skills and build a career that can lead you anywhere. Develop a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe in the strength of diverse viewpoints and want every voice within our organisation to be acknowledged, respected, and appreciated. A nurturing workplace is one where employees feel free to be authentic and perform at their highest capability. We are dedicated to eliminating obstacles for all, especially concentrating on challenges encountered by underrepresented groups.

Working Model and Benefits
We have embraced a 50% hybrid working model with two to three days onsite, fostering trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Flexible working pattern requests are considered where feasible. Our benefits differ depending on location but include generous annual leave, medical coverage, inclusive parental leave packages, discounted gym memberships, and opportunities to contribute to the community.

Experience
Proven experience leading enterprise portfolio management, PMO/VMO leadership, or strategic programme governance. Strong understanding of technology change and the ability to bring together expertise from multiple technical teams to assess investment opportunities. Excellent financial competence with experience evaluating investment value, benefits, and return on investment. Experience working within complex, matrixed organisations. Outstanding facilitation, communication, and collaborator management skills, including engagement with senior leaders. Ability to translate strategic objectives into practical prioritisation frameworks and governance processes. Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

Desirable Experience
Experience within media, publishing, digital subscription, or technology-led organisations. Experience supporting investment identification, prioritisation, and portfolio oversight. Familiarity with Agile delivery environments and product operating models. Experience with portfolio management frameworks such as Lean Portfolio Management, MoP, SAFe LPM, or enterprise PPM platforms.

About You
You are a collaborative leader who builds trusted relationships and promotes cooperation and responsibility. You are proactive in driving continuous improvement and embedding best practices in portfolio governance. You thrive in complex environments and are comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders to influence decision-making.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications or certifications in portfolio management, programme management, or related fields are advantageous but not explicitly required.