SPO Operations Analyst

About the role

As a Strategic Portfolio Office (SPO) Operations Analyst (known internally as PMO Analyst), you’ll provide challenge to, and be the first line of assurance for the Portfolio, Projects/ Programmes, validating and assuring the quality of inputs and outputs, risks, issues and dependencies plus reporting/ documentation as appropriate, ensuring mitigating actions are in place and being progressed and escalating to the SPO Operations Manager as required. You will join our Leeds based Change Delivery function with working from home capability.

This role is a 6-month fixed term contract.

As an SPO Ops Analyst you will-

• Challenge projects and programmes where changes to scope, cost and time are not justified, aligned with board submissions or have not followed the correct governance framework. Provide direction, guidance and support to project/ programme teams to ensure standard processes and procedures are followed, providing education to the wider business on methodology, standards and best practice, including any changes to ‘our change framework’.

• Ensure projects and programmes maintain accurate and up to date plans, milestones and resource profiles, using appropriate PPM tools, providing challenge and independent support.

• Complete Governance Framework compliance checks to ensure that an appropriate level of governance and control is maintained throughout the project/ programme, and support of project/ programme closure processes.

• Provide independent assurance reports through the analysis of problem areas to enable remediation plans to be put in place to assist the project/ programme teams, contributing to team process reviews and updates.

• Responsible for supporting Project/Programme Managers to ensure that accurate portfolio level financial data (costs and benefits) is maintained in order to facilitate budget tracking and quarterly forecasting in line with required deadlines.

• Provide support to the PM in creating forecasts for business cases, maintaining the project PPM tool and analysing variances whilst providing first-line assurance and challenging costs where appropriate.

• Review the quality and accuracy of project/programme plans and milestones in relation to finances, ensuring validation and baselining of milestones based on published Change Board approvals

• Provide direction, guidance, and assistance to Project/Programme Managers and Strategic Portfolio Office to ensure standard processes and procedures are followed including month end activities.

• Ensure PPM tool familiarity to be able to utilise all relevant capabilities in producing tailored and meaningful reports and provide expert support, guidance and training to users of SPO tools and processes.

• Review of purchase orders to identify cash releases in projects.

• Foster and develop the relationship between the SPO, project teams and the Finance function, and contribute to team process reviews and updates.

About you-

• You will have experience in a PMO Analyst role, with strong stakeholder relationship management and influencing skills.

• Have strong data analysis and interpretation skills.

• Experience with Project and Portfolio Management tools.

• You will be familiar with financial support and management tasks, with the ability to produce reliable cost estimations, and the ability to articulate reasoning to the project teams and SPO.

About us

At YBS we don’t have shareholders, we have members. We care about people and that includes you. So here, you’ll be respected for who you are, you’ll be able to bring your whole self to work, and you’ll have everything you need to build a long and rewarding career.

Flexibility. We offer a range of flexible working options without unsocial hours, which can help you find a healthy work-life balance. Whether it’s finishing early for an appointment or fitting your studies and hobbies in around your working hours, we can help make it work for you. We’re happy to talk flexible working and you can reach out to us anytime to discuss this during the recruitment process.

Development. We want you to feel challenged here. Whatever your ambitions, we’re committed to helping you develop your skills and move ahead in your career journey. From day one, we’ll set you up for success with a brilliant induction and full training plan, all designed to get you up to speed quickly.

Inclusivity. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. If you’ll go the extra mile to help our members, you’ll fit right in and feel you belong here.

About our Benefits

We offer lots of fantastic rewards that you can make the most of in and out of work, including:

• Holiday. You’ll get 25 days plus Bank Holidays, as well as the option to buy up to a further 5 days.
• Bonus. At YBS we work collaboratively and share in our success together, so when we reach our goals were all rewarded with an on target bonus of 7% of eligible pay (with the opportunity to earn up to a maximum 15%).
• Pension. We know how important it is to save towards the future, that’s why we’ll contribute up 11% into your YBS pension.
• Healthcare. Health and wellbeing are an important part of life at YBS, when you join us you’ll have access to a range of health benefits to suit your life including private medical insurance, dental and healthcare plans.
• My Benefits. When you join YBS you’ll have access to our self-service benefits portal, where you can access a range of retail, hospitality and health discounts.

Ready to apply?

If you’re excited about this role and want to be part of the YBS team, click apply now to send us your application.

Want more information?

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Holly Gallagher at careers@ybs.co.uk

Please note: This advert will close 21st May 2025.