Portfolio Director – UK Public Sector

Version 1 has celebrated over 26 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Version 1 has several strategic technology partners including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems and Snowflake. We’re also an award-winning employer reflecting how employees are at the heart of Version 1.

We’ve been awarded: Innovation Partner of the Year Winner 2023 Oracle EMEA Partner Awards, Global Microsoft Modernising Applications Partner of the Year Award 2023, AWS Collaboration Partner of the Year - EMEA 2023 and Best Workplaces for Women by Great Place To Work in UK and Ireland 2023.

As a consultancy and service provider, Version 1 is a digital-first environment, and we do things differently. We’re focused on our core values; using these we’ve seen significant growth across our practices and our Digital, Data and Cloud team is preparing for the next phase of expansion. This creates new opportunities for driven and skilled individuals to join one of the fastest-growing consultancies globally.

Role Purpose: 

The Portfolio Director – UK Public Sector is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the delivery and growth of critical engagements across a diverse range of public sector clients. This includes organisations in Public Protection, Transport, Justice, and Finance. As a senior leader within Version 1, the Portfolio Director ensures exceptional project outcomes, drives portfolio expansion, and strengthens client relationships while addressing complex challenges and delivering impactful solutions that support public services transformation. 

Leveraging extensive expertise in managing large-scale public sector programmes, the Portfolio Director ensures that Version 1 continues to deliver innovative, secure, and sustainable solutions. A focus on operational excellence, client satisfaction, and strategic growth underpins this role, as does a commitment to mentoring and empowering high-performing teams. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Portfolio Leadership and Delivery: 

• Oversee the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects across the UK Public Sector, ensuring alignment with timelines, budgets, and quality standards.  

• Act as the primary escalation point for portfolio delivery challenges, maintaining accountability while empowering teams to succeed. 

• Implement and maintain robust governance frameworks to ensure compliance with regulatory, operational, and contractual requirements. 

Client and Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across key public sector organisations, including agencies in Public Protection, Transport, Justice, and Finance.

• Act as a strategic advisor, identifying opportunities for collaboration and aligning transformation initiatives with client goals.

• Lead high-level client communication and negotiations, ensuring project alignment with organisational objectives and stakeholder expectations. 

Strategic Growth and Development: 

• Collaborate with Sales and Business Development teams to identify and secure new opportunities across the UK Public Sector.

• Lead pre-sales activities, including bid responses, proposition development, and client presentations, in partnership with Capability Leads. 

• Achieve revenue and profitability targets, ensuring alignment of financial forecasts with portfolio performance and growth objectives. 

Team Leadership and Development: 

• Foster a high-performance culture by mentoring and developing diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. 

• Drive engagement and retention through succession planning and clear career pathways for team members. 

• Oversee resource planning in collaboration with Capability Leads, ensuring effective delivery and seamless service transitions. 

Operational and Financial Excellence: 

• Ensure accurate revenue forecasting and develop proactive measures to address financial variances. 

• Monitor project and portfolio performance metrics, leveraging data-driven insights to optimise delivery outcomes. 

• Champion cross-functional collaboration to ensure integrated and efficient service delivery. 

Thought Leadership and Advocacy: 

• Represent Version 1 as a thought leader across the UK Public Sector, contributing to strategic decision-making and sector growth.  

• Actively engage in shaping the leadership team’s agenda, aligning with Version 1’s values and objectives. 

Essential Experience: 

• Extensive experience managing large-scale, high-value portfolios within the UK Public Sector, with a proven track record in Public Protection, Transport, Justice, and Finance.

• Demonstrated success in delivering transformative technology and service change programmes in highly regulated, complex environments.

• Strong commercial acumen, with a history of achieving revenue growth and managing financial performance against ambitious targets.

• Proven ability to lead and inspire large, diverse teams in multi-stakeholder contexts. 

Skills and Attributes: 

• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across diverse organisations.

• Strategic thinking with a focus on measurable outcomes, innovation, and long-term growth. 

• Deep understanding of regulatory, operational, and governance frameworks relevant to the UK Public Sector. 

• Strong leadership presence, fostering collaboration and a culture of excellence across teams and partners. 

Security Clearance: 

• Eligibility for SC clearance is essential, with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) as required. 

Core Competencies: 

• Leadership Excellence: Inspire and motivate teams to deliver exceptional outcomes in challenging environments. 

• Client-Centric Focus: Build and nurture relationships that align client success with Version 1’s mission and values. 

• Growth and Innovation: Identify and capitalise on opportunities to expand portfolio reach and impact. 

• Operational Mastery: Apply robust governance, financial management, and risk mitigation practices to ensure high standards of delivery. 

• Collaboration and Integrity: Champion a culture of collaboration, honesty, and respect in all interactions. 

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their well-being, professional growth, and financial stability.

One of our standout advantages is the ability to work with a hybrid schedule along with business travel, allowing our employees to strike a balance between work and life. We also offer a range of tech-related benefits, including an innovative Tech Scheme to help keep our team members up-to-date with the latest technology.

We prioritise the health and safety of our employees, providing private medical and life insurance coverage, as well as free eye tests and contributions towards glasses. Our team members can also stay ahead of the curve with incentivized certifications and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.

Our employee-designed Profit Share scheme divides a portion of our company's profits each quarter amongst employees. We are dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential, offering Pathways Career Development Quarterly, a programme designed to support professional growth.

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