Head of Project Management Office

Role Overview:

The Head of PMO at Syntys HQ will be responsible for establishing and leading a high-performing Project Management Office (PMO) to oversee the successful delivery of all data center projects and strategic initiatives across the organization.

This key role is pivotal in ensuring the alignment of project execution with Syntys strategic goals and standards, providing governance, and ensuring project portfolio performance.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Head of PMO will drive enterprise-wide project governance, portfolio management, and performance tracking, ensuring seamless collaboration with all Syntys functional areas and Operations DC.

This role will be pivotal in translating strategic vision into actionable outcomes, delivering high-impact projects that fuel Syntys' growth, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Role Responsibilities:

PMO Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and lead the PMO function to standardize and improve project management practices across the organization, particularly in data center construction, expansion, and infrastructure projects such as AI.
• Align the PMO’s activities with the company’s strategic objectives, working closely with the CEO to ensure project outcomes support Syntys ’s growth and operational excellence.
• Establish and maintain project management standards, methodologies, and best practices across the organization.
• Create and oversee project portfolio management processes to ensure strategic alignment of all projects.

Governance & Framework Development:

• Establish governance frameworks for the portfolio of data center projects, including hyperscaler deployments, facility upgrades, and critical infrastructure projects.
• Define and monitor project management standards, ensuring that all data center projects meet quality, time, and budget objectives while adhering to compliance and regulatory standards.
• Oversee a diverse portfolio of data center projects across multiple countries operations.
• Implement robust project governance frameworks to ensure consistent project delivery and reporting.
• Conduct regular project reviews and audits to ensure adherence to established methodologies and standards.

Resource Management:

• Optimize resource allocation across projects, ensuring efficient utilization of both internal and external resources.
• Develop capacity planning strategies to meet current and future project demands.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for project and portfolio performance.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports for senior management, providing clear visibility into project and portfolio status.
• Analyse project and portfolio performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Risk and Issue Management:

• Proactively identify and manage project risks and issues, implementing mitigation strategies to reduce impact on timelines, costs, or quality.
• Develop and manage contingency plans, ensuring that the organization is prepared for potential disruptions or challenges in data center project delivery.

Stakeholder Management:

• Act as the primary liaison between the PMO and senior management, providing regular updates on portfolio performance.
• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders, including government entities, regulatory bodies, and major clients, vendors, and hyperscalers.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between project teams and other departments.
• Prepare and present comprehensive project reports, status updates, and executive summaries to the CEO, Group, and senior management.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of project managers, ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to execute their roles effectively.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the PMO and across the wider project teams.

Process Improvement & Innovation:

• Drive continuous improvement in PMO processes, seeking opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve project delivery times.
• Promote the adoption of innovative project management tools, AI integrated methodologies, and technologies to enhance the performance of the PMO.
• Stay informed about emerging project management trends and technologies, evaluating their potential application within the organization.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the PMO and project teams.

Regional Compliance:

• Ensure all projects comply with local regulations and standards across different countries.
• Develop and implement strategies to navigate regional business practices and cultural nuances.
• Adapt project management approaches to align with local business environments while maintaining global standards.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, information technology, Business Administration or a related field.
• PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent certification is required.
• A master’s degree or MBA is preferred.
• Fluent in English, Arabic language capability preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably in a PMO in the data center, telecommunications, or technology sector.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale, complex infrastructure projects, particularly data center construction, collocation agreements, and hyperscale projects.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, managing project portfolios, and interacting with C-level executives.