PMO / Project Manager (STR030)

Affinia is a leading, UK Top 50 Accountancy firm. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, the firm has seen significant development within the last 18 months. Last October we launched our new brand ‘Affinia’ (www.affinia.co.uk) which saw the coming together of LB Group and other likeminded firms across the East & South East of England to form a combined challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

With a combined heritage spanning over 300 years, we have more than 400 accountancy professionals based in Stratford, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Halstead, Harlow, Orpington, Sidcup and Sutton. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning.

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

Purpose of the role:

We are seeking a highly organized PMO / Project Manager to support the integration of multiple businesses per year as part of our private equity growth journey. This critical role will be responsible for managing the end-to-end integration planning and execution across people, processes, systems, and data. Working with the Head of Integration and Corporate Development team pre deal to develop the Integration plan and priorities. You will then work closely with the Head of Integration, Enabling Function leads (People & Culture, IT, Finance, Business Support and Marketing), Head of Services Lines (Accounts, Audit, Tax, Payroll) and key 3^rd party suppliers alongside the acquired business teams to deliver integration plans that create a smooth and efficient end user experience as they move onto the Affinia Systems and processes. 

This is a unique opportunity to shape the post-acquisition integration capability in a dynamic, growing organization and make a direct impact on strategic business success. 

Accountabilities:

Integration Planning & Execution: Develop, monitor and manage the integration plans for each acquired office. Ensure the agreed schedule & resource requirements are aligned with strategic goals and executed on time and within scope. It is expected that this role will own several key workstreams across the overall programme of work. 

Stakeholder Coordination: Work with internal stakeholders and the acquired business teams to align objectives, ensure critical risks, issues and actions are captured and executed to manage expectations and facilitate collaboration. 

Dependency & Constraint Management: Identify and manage cross-functional dependencies, risks, and constraints that may impact the integration timeline or deliverables. Proactively resolve issues and escalate where necessary. 

Governance & Reporting: Create and produce progress reporting for the integration governance structures, track key performance metrics, and report on integration status, risks, and progress to executive leadership. 

Change Management: Act as a change champion ensuring clear communication, training, and support for teams undergoing transition is in place, mentor and coach others within the business on the importance of the change cycle a newly acquired business will go through. 

Standardization & Continuous Improvement: Maintain and develop the integration framework and deliverables, tools, templates, and processes to improve integration efficiency and consistency across all acquisitions, ensuring ongoing improvements are adopted. 

Group Project Support: It is expected that this role will also support specific group projects that are as a direct result of the growth through integration. 

Skills/Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a PMO or Project Manager working across multiple projects in a corporate development/integration environment. 
• Experience of running multiple integrated projects using project management toolsets (i.e. MS Project, Planner or other tools). 
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage complexity. 
• Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  
• Conscientious, self-motivated professional with good organizational skills.  

Desired Experience: 

• Change Management Certification or Business Analyst background. 
• Experience working within an M&A environment integrating multiple business together. 
• Relevant project management certification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, Agile or ScrumMaster). 
• Experience working in a private equity-backed environment. 

Please click here to view the full role and benefits package.