Project Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Programme Manager – AI & Digital • Abu Dhabi • 12-month contract • Salary - Negotiable DOE Salt is partnering with one of our key clients to hire an experienced Portfolio Programme Manager to drive delivery across a portfolio of strategic AI and digital initiatives. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who enjoys getting into the detail: setting projects up from scratch, establishing effective governance and working directly with teams to keep delivery moving. You’ll bring structure to complex programmes, give leadership clear visibility and turn strategic priorities into practical delivery plans. What you’ll be doing • Manage a portfolio of AI and digital projects from initial planning through to delivery. • Build and maintain project plans, milestones, RACI matrices, RAID logs, dependency trackers and delivery reporting. • Establish practical project and portfolio governance, including steering committees, working groups, escalation routes and decision-making responsibilities. • Ensure projects have clear scope, ownership, accountabilities, approval gates and measurable milestones. • Work closely with Project and Product Leads to resolve issues, manage dependencies and remove delivery blockers. • Provide concise executive updates, highlighting progress, risks, decisions and where intervention is needed. • Coordinate business, technology, data, AI and external partner teams to maintain alignment and accountability. What we’re looking for • At least 8 years’ experience in programme management, project delivery, transformation or consulting. • A proven track record of personally setting up and delivering complex projects through the full lifecycle. • Strong practical experience in planning, governance, risk and dependency management, reporting and escalation. • Experience with a Big 4 or leading international consultancy is strongly preferred. • Confidence working across complex, international organisations and influencing senior stakeholders without formal authority. • Clear communication, sound judgement and the ability to bring structure to ambiguity. • A pragmatic approach: comfortable shaping the governance and personally maintaining the plans, controls and follow-through that make it effective. The key requirement is hands-on ownership. You should be able to demonstrate what you have personally built, managed and delivered across complex programmes. Interested? Apply with your CV to find out more.

At least 8 years’ experience in programme management, project delivery, transformation or consulting. A proven track record of personally setting up and delivering complex projects through the full lifecycle. Strong practical experience in planning, governance, risk and dependency management, reporting and escalation. Experience with a Big 4 or leading international consultancy is strongly preferred. Confidence working across complex, international organisations and influencing senior stakeholders without formal authority. Clear communication, sound judgement and the ability to bring structure to ambiguity. A pragmatic approach: comfortable shaping the governance and personally maintaining the plans, controls and follow-through that make it effective.

Manage a portfolio of AI and digital projects from initial planning through to delivery. Build and maintain project plans, milestones, RACI matrices, RAID logs, dependency trackers and delivery reporting. Establish practical project and portfolio governance, including steering committees, working groups, escalation routes and decision-making responsibilities. Ensure projects have clear scope, ownership, accountabilities, approval gates and measurable milestones. Work closely with Project and Product Leads to resolve issues, manage dependencies and remove delivery blockers. Provide concise executive updates, highlighting progress, risks, decisions and where intervention is needed. Coordinate business, technology, data, AI and external partner teams to maintain alignment and accountability.