What is a PMO Manager?
The primary job of a Project Management Office (PMO) Manager is to ensure that their company’s standards are upheld and clearly defined throughout the entire process of each project’s development and execution. PMO Managers are responsible for overseeing the work of all project management office personnel, and thus must take ownership of the resulting quality of each project.
A position as a PMO Manager typically involves collaborating with other department Managers, reporting to executive staff and supervising all members of the PMO team. According to findings published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for Financial Managers, which includes PMO Managers, will increase 7 percent. This is expected to result in the opening of 37,700 new jobs through 2024, although it is worth noting that there is a considerable amount of competition for such positions.
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PMO Manager Duties and Responsibilities
Facilitate Project Planning
Analyze Financial Information
Modify Processes
Ensure Documentation
PMO Manager Skills
Successful PMO Managers have the ability to focus on details and technicalities while simultaneously retaining a comprehensive vision of the big picture. They also work well under pressure, have great interpersonal skills and can juggle several different projects and responsibilities with ease and composure. In addition to these broad skills and personal traits, employers are looking for potential PMO Managers with the following skills.
Core Skills: According to our analysis of various online job postings, employers are seeking PMO Managers with these core skills. If you’d like to begin a career as a PMO Manager, focus on the following.
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Financial acumen
- Adept at project and change management
- High level of organization
- Great leadership skills
- Ability to perform under pressure
Advanced Skills While most employers do not strictly require the following skills, we observed that they often prefer them when looking at PMO Manager candidates. To broaden your career opportunities, focus on these.
- Knowledge of the specific industry to which a potential employer belongs
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Tools of the Trade PMO Managers use a variety of tools to accomplish their goals. If you’d like to be a PMO Manager, you should have a good understanding of the following
- Recent versions of the Microsoft Office software suite
- Digital document management systems (DMS)
- Computer systems
- Telecommunications systems
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PMO Manager Q & A
What are some of the core duties performed by a PMO Manager?
The key function [of PMO Managers] is to organize work streams that need to be performed in order for a high priority project to be executed successfully -- there are numerous tools that can help with this work.
What challenges does a PMO Manager face?
This job requires one to deal with an incredible amount of ambiguity. Executing projects never goes as planned. It can be difficult to estimate how long work streams will take, what challenges will arise and whether the outcomes will be impactful. There are also numerous personnel issues. A simple task may suddenly go undone. The PMO Manager will have to find out why – perhaps the person responsible for conducting it does not want to complete it, does not have the skills to do it or doesn’t have the bandwidth. The biggest challenge a PMO Manager faces in underestimating a timeline.
What skills do PMO Managers use most?
First and foremost, a PMO Manager has to be able to problem-solve any challenge with creativity and patience. Additional key skills include critical thinking, organization, attention to detail and [the] personal drive to see projects completed.
What should someone consider before becoming a PMO Manager?
The goal of a PMO Manager is ultimately to drive forward high priority projects. On the plus side, the PMO [can have a] real impact within the organization. On the downside, some of the work can be perceived as mundane and it often takes a long time before you see the result of your work. A good question to ask is "Am I motivated by the workstreams I would be leading as a PMO Analyst?" If not, you should choose another career.
What type of person is successful in this job?
A person with a high degree of natural ability to be organized and organize others is a foundational must have--but, as one advances, they should also have influencer or external leadership skills that can help bring together people and teams towards a common goal--as a result, high-energy, optimistic people often do well in this job.
What do you find to be the most rewarding about being a PMO Manager?
The ability to drive impactful change in an organization. As a very results-driven person, it’s gratifying to be a part of a process that helps bring high-priority projects to completion.
PMO Manager Salary
PMO Manager Resources
From blogs to LinkedIn groups, this list is filled to the brim with great resources for future and current PMO Managers. If you’d like to continue exploring your career as a PMO Manager, keep reading below.
On the Web
PM Perspective BlogPublished by United Kingdom based company ESI International, this blog explores all aspects of project management. Includes posts on risk mitigation techniques, explanations of fundamental concepts, industry news and more.
PMO AdvisoryThis consulting firm offers free elearning resources, webinars, online certification courses and a monthly newsletter.
ProjectManagement.com ForumThis active online forum provides a platform for the discussion of any and all subjects related to project management, including process improvement, new technologies and knowledge management.
On LinkedIn
Project Management CommunityWith more than 345,000 members, this group is an ideal place to network with other project management professionals, share ideas, learn about certification and more.
PMI Project, Program and Portfolio ManagementThis group was created by the Project Management Institute, and places a particular focus on career advancement for those working in the field of project management.
Humor in Project ManagementIf you’re looking for something on the lighter side, you’ll find it here. This group is centered around the sharing of amusing stories from the world of project management.
Books
PMP Exam PrepThis indepth study guide can provide you with nearly everything you need to know to prepare for becoming a certified PMP. Contains sample questions, practice exercises and testtaking tips.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of KnowledgeAs one of the topselling books on project management, this book by the Project Management Institute is packed with essential information. Includes illustrations, explanations of processes and descriptions of various techniques.
Project Management for DummiesAs the title suggests, this book is focused on covering the basics of project management. Even if you’re already a certified PMP, this book can act as a useful reference guide.
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