Richard David
Chelmsford
Summary
PMO leader with extensive experience at Microsoft, skilled in establishing PMO functions and implementing change management strategies. Proven ability to develop standardized processes and manage stakeholders effectively, resulting in improved project governance and substantial business benefits. Strong focus on fostering cross-functional collaboration and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead PMO
MICROSOFT
06.2023 - 12.2023
- As Lead PMO at Microsoft, I implemented best practice standards to enhance the Project Management Office and delivery functions across EMEA, supporting major customer-facing programmes.
- My main focus was ensuring high-quality standards in Project, Change, and Programme Management, tailored to each customer's needs.
- I collaborated with cross-functional teams to align on objectives and constraints, enabling effective delivery frameworks that supported project teams within existing policies.
- Additional responsibilities included team resourcing, maintaining operational runbooks, overseeing onboarding and security clearance for new FTCs, driving product adoption, and proactively managing risks within project scope.
Head of PMO
SHARED SERVICES CONNECTED LIMITED
09.2022 - 12.2022
- As Head of PMO my role was overseeing the Service Delivery Transformation Programme, I was tasked with improving existing PMO practices to deliver greater value and transparency across multiple projects within the transformation portfolio.
- This involved a thorough assessment of the governance structures required to ensure that projects were delivered according to agreed timelines and within the predefined scope of works set out for the client.
- Working closely with the EPMO Director, I contributed to defining the strategic direction of the programme.
- Together with the PMO team, we ensured that robust assurance processes were implemented and maintained.
- Additionally, I played a key role in establishing clear and consistent reporting standards, making certain that all stakeholders had a comprehensive understanding of reporting requirements throughout the programme lifecycle.
Head of PMO
GLOBAL MARINE
11.2018 - 02.2022
- Successfully established a comprehensive delivery framework and built the PMO team from the ground up.
- This initiative involved designing and implementing standardized processes, tools, and templates to ensure consistent project delivery and effective oversight across the organization.
- As a result, the new framework enabled improved project governance, enhanced transparency, and more efficient resource allocation, directly supporting the company’s strategic objectives.
- As Head of PMO, I oversaw all IT department projects, business unit initiatives, Finance-related (IFS), and operational projects.
- My key duties included managing risks and issues, establishing governance, and ensuring timely project delivery within scope.
- I collaborated with the CISO and CFO to guide strategic direction and developed a unified delivery framework blending waterfall and agile methodologies to standardize project processes company-wide.
Senior PMO Consultant
P2 CONSULTING
03.2017 - 11.2018
- Joined P2 Consulting as a Senior PMO Consultant to leverage my expertise and experience within the consultancy space.
- In this role, I contributed to enhancing the firm’s project management capabilities by applying best practices and supporting the delivery of high-quality consultancy services to clients.
- My involvement focused on strengthening PMO processes, transferring knowledge, and supporting the advancement of the organisation’s project management standards.
Head of Claims Change PMO
DIRECT LINE GROUP
03.2014 - 01.2017
- Engaged by Direct Line Group (DLG) to play a pivotal role in the Claims Transformation Programme, recognized as one of the largest initiatives of its kind in Europe.
- This programme successfully delivered over £300 million in business benefits.
- My responsibilities included ensuring alignment with other significant transformation programmes within DLG, all aimed at unifying the insurance operations of the former RBS Insurance business under the single DLG brand.
Education
BTEC National Diploma - Information Technology
Chelmsford College
ChelmsfordBTEC First Diploma - Information Technology Applications
Chelmsford College
ChelmsfordGCSEs -
Moulsham High school
ChelmsfordSkills
- Leading teams through complex, cross-functional initiatives
- Building PMO functions from scratch
- Delivery frameworks and tooling
- Stakeholder management
- Managing risks and issues
- Change management
- Making data-driven decisions
- Project/programme execution
- Evaluating existing processes and frameworks to define PMO governance objectives and goals
- Status reporting, progress tracking, and stage gate approvals
- Developing standardized processes and templates
- Set up of program-level working groups for effective communication strategies
- Introduces metrics for performance tracking
- Establishing continuous improvement plans
- Conduct training and workshops for teams to understand governance processes and reporting
- Management of competing priorities
- Executive reporting
- Business case creation
- Budget tracking and financial management
- Project management
- Change management
- Programme governance
References
Available upon request
Previous Employment
- TP, ICAP Fixed Income Middle Office Manager
- Royal Bank of Scotland (Formerly NatWest Capital Markets)
- Midland Bank
- Credit Suisse
- Daiwa Europe Bank
Professional Highlights
- MICROSOFT, Transformed the PMO from an administrative role to a key partner in programme and project delivery by establishing a comprehensive PMO Charter integrating both Waterfall and Agile methods with clear, achievable goals. Provided ongoing coaching on Risk and Issue Management Standards and Reporting, promoting proactive governance and assurance.
- SHARED SERVICES CONNECTED LTD, Reviewed and improved the governance framework for an underperforming program to better align with client requirements, introducing revised measures that supported effective delivery. Worked with the EPMO Director to set PMO strategy and update reporting protocols, improving Board communication with timely, relevant information for enhanced decision-making.
- GLOBAL MARINE, Oversaw all IT, Finance (IFS), and operational projects across the organisation, ensuring effective risk management frameworks and governance structures were in place for on-time, in-scope delivery. Worked with the CISO and CFO to help define strategic direction and led the development of an ISO 9001-compliant delivery framework that combined waterfall and agile methodologies as the company's standard project approach.
- JOHN LEWIS, Responsible for restructuring governance frameworks during a major IT transformation (Digital OMNI Channel), developing new controls and practices to align with corporate standards. Established the programme as a centre of excellence in Change and Portfolio management by developing a skilled PMO team and strengthening its capabilities.
Timeline
Lead PMO
MICROSOFT
06.2023 - 12.2023
Head of PMO
SHARED SERVICES CONNECTED LIMITED
09.2022 - 12.2022
Head of PMO
GLOBAL MARINE
11.2018 - 02.2022
Senior PMO Consultant
P2 CONSULTING
03.2017 - 11.2018
Head of Claims Change PMO
DIRECT LINE GROUP
03.2014 - 01.2017
BTEC National Diploma - Information Technology
Chelmsford College
BTEC First Diploma - Information Technology Applications
Chelmsford College
GCSEs -
Moulsham High school