Innovation PMO Sr. Manager (12-month Assignment)

Job Title: Innovation PMO Sr. Manager – 12-month Assignment (T3)

Location: UK sites only – (THO, PAD, WAL, SLO)

Join Mars Pet Nutrition and help shape the future of innovation as we create a better world for pets and pet parents. This 12-month parental leave cover assignment offers a unique opportunity to build expertise in innovation portfolio management, enterprise planning, and cross-functional leadership.

Reporting to the Innovation PMO Sr. Director, you'll lead strategic innovation and renovation initiatives from concept through commercialization, partnering with teams across Brand, R&D, Supply, Finance, Commercial, and Operating Entities. The role provides significant exposure to senior leaders, enterprise-wide visibility, and the opportunity to drive innovation that supports long-term growth.

What are we looking for?

• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects, innovation programs, portfolio management initiatives, or similar business transformation efforts.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to influence and drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups without direct authority.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Experience working in matrixed, global organizations preferred.
• Strong learning agility and ability to navigate ambiguity in a dynamic environment.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Innovation Portfolio & Project Leadership

• Lead a portfolio of strategic innovation/renovation initiatives through the product lifecycle, ensuring delivery against defined business objectives, timelines, and governance requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop integrated project plans and drive successful execution.
• Proactively identify risks, opportunities, dependencies, and mitigation plans to support project success.
• Ensure alignment between project teams, leadership stakeholders, and enterprise priorities.

Enterprise Portfolio Management & Governance

• Support portfolio planning activities, including portfolio reviews, prioritization discussions, resource considerations, and strategic decision-making processes.
• Maintain visibility to project progress, key milestones, risks, and business outcomes across assigned initiatives.
• Facilitate governance processes and prepare materials for leadership reviews and decision forums.
• Drive consistency in project management practices, governance standards, and reporting processes.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Global Portfolio and Brand Teams, Operating Entities, R&D, Supply, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and other functions to drive alignment and execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making and ensure timely resolution of issues and roadblocks.
• Build strong relationships across the organization to foster collaboration and shared accountability.

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve innovation processes, tools, governance, and ways of working.
• Support implementation of enterprise initiatives that enhance innovation effectiveness, efficiency, and visibility.
• Champion best practices in project management across the innovation community.

Performance Tracking & Business Insights

• Monitor project performance against defined KPIs and business objectives.
• Analyze data and project performance trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop executive-ready communications, reports, and presentations for senior leadership audiences.
• Provide insights and recommendations that support effective portfolio decision-making.

Why Consider This Assignment?

This role offers a unique development opportunity to:

• Gain exposure to senior leaders across Mars Pet Nutrition.
• Strengthen leadership, influence, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Build a broad enterprise network across Global and Operating Entity teams.
• Contribute to high-impact innovation initiatives that support future growth.
• Explore a highly visible role that sits at the intersection of strategy, innovation, portfolio management, and commercialization.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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