PMO Manager Lead

Location: Ottawa, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow’s possible.

For decades, Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today, Canada’s capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. Voted as Canada’s best place to live 2017 by Maclean’s, Ottawa offers a low cost of living with a high quality of life. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

Ottawa, ON., Victoria, B.C., Halifax, N.S., (CAN.), Hybrid

Reporting to the Head of PMO, the PMO Manager Lead works closely with Program Managers to ensure that Thales’ in-service support programs are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and in alignment with Thales’ strategic objectives. This role oversees governance, relational contracting, communications, planning, risk, training, performance and reporting, to maintain consistency and excellence across all initiatives.

Working closely with the Customer, executive leadership and cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment, the PMO Manager Lead drives program visibility, resource optimization, and continuous improvement. They ensure the programs meet the highest standards of quality, accuracy and compliance, while strengthening delivery capability.

• Leadership & Governance
  • Lead the PMO to ensure consistent application of governance, methodologies and standards across Thales’ in-service support programs.
  • Maintain frameworks, tools and processes supporting project delivery and reporting.
  • Establish and control the program business rhythm.
• Program Oversight
  • Monitor project performance, risks and deliverables to support proactive decision-making.
  • Manage resource planning and prioritization for optimal execution.
• Resource Management
  • Provide management support to the PMO team, including skills and capability development, task allocation, objective setting and training.
• Planning, Performance & Risk Management
  • Support integrated project planning, scheduling and performance tracking.
  • Oversee identification and mitigation of risks, maintaining accurate risk registers and action plans.
  • Implement lessons learned and improvement actions across programs.
  • Management of Travel & Living requirements.
• Relational Contracting & Communications
  • Facilitate effective communications between leadership, engineering, operations, and the Customer.
  • Promote transparency and clarity in program communications.
  • Author and maintain a Relationship Management Plan and Relationship Charter.
  • Plan, develop, implement and measure a Relational Contracting culture within the team and the Enterprise.
  • Management and facilitation of Lessons Learned sessions – ensuring a Lessons Learned culture is embedded within the Program.
• Training & Capability Development
  • Design and deliver training to strengthen project management capability across the programs.
  • Mentor project managers and coordinators in governance, planning, and risk management best practices.
  • Build a culture of knowledge sharing and professional growth within the PMO.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Drive automation, standardization, and digital transformation within PMO operations.
  • Enhance program analytics and reporting using tools such as Power BI.
  • Champion process optimization and operational excellence initiatives.

• Degree or diploma in Business Management is preferred, or relevant proven experience.
• Certified Practicing Project Manager or equivalent (IPMA and/or PMP certification).
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience supporting or managing complex projects.
• Extensive experience working in a PMO within complex programs, particularly in the Defence and Aerospace sectors.
• Evidence of the ability to provide coaching and development for less-experienced team members. Comprehensive understanding of generic processes and techniques used to schedule Program activities (WBS, OBS, milestones, dependencies, EVM).
• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the Program Management process, including Change Control. Comprehensive knowledge of the Program lifecycle.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced user of MS office suite, particularly Excel, including the use of pivot tables / charts.
• Intermediate knowledge of Power Query and Power BI.
• Advanced user in project scheduling software such as Primavera P6.
• Working knowledge of JIRA.

Type of Role: Hybrid (Home/Office) – flexibility to work from home but expected to be in office as required to support the business.

Schedule: 40 hours per week

Physical Environment: Office environment

Travel: As required primarily within Canada

What We Offer

• Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:
• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.
• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.
• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave.
• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Why Join Us?

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The reference Total Target Compensation(TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 111,460.75 – 185,430.80 CAD Annual

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 

• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian Enhanced Reliability security clearance.