Senior PMO

The Senior PMO will be responsible for establishing and maintaining a robust project governance framework and continuous improvement, ensuring transparency, alignment, and effective delivery across all projects including operational, engineering, digital, and transformation initiatives.

Summary of responsibilities

• Define, implement, and oversee an efficient governance model for the full projects portfolio.
• Support the team in piloting and executing projects in line with strategic direction.
• Ensure visibility, prioritization, and alignment across projects (OPS, TECH, IT, HSSE, Commercial).
• Define, formalize and take over project management methodologies, processes, workflows, and documentation standards (project charters, RAID logs, KPIs, status reports) in coordination with Business team, Expansion team and HIG.
• Act as the internal reference for project management best practices.
• Ensure rigorous project planning, tracking, and reporting, including milestones, resources, interdependencies, and risks.

Risk & Performance Tracking

• Monitor project performance KPIs, risk exposure, critical path, and overall delivery progress.
• Prepare and distribute dashboards and management reports to support arbitration and escalation.

Operational Coordination & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate projects execution with internal departments and external partners.
• Ensure alignment between resources, timelines, and strategic objectives.
• Support project owners, ensuring accountability, follow-up, and operational readiness.
• Maintain effective communication across all stakeholders.
• Identify improvement opportunities in project execution, structure, and reporting.
• Drive consistency, transparency, and efficiency in processes and methodologies.
• Promote a culture of structured planning and disciplined execution.

Key Performance Measures

• Consistency and efficiency of the Projects Portfolio governance.
• Timely delivery of key milestones across strategic projects.
• Quality and reliability of reporting, dashboards, and KPIs.
• Effective risk and issue management.
• Accuracy of planning, resource coordination, and financial tracking.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and cross-functional alignment.

THE CANDIDATE

Education & Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years in PMO, program management, or management of large interdisciplinary projects, preferably in an asset-heavy, industrial, production, infrastructure, or logistics environment.
• Experience working in complex matrix organizations (international is a strong asset).
• Experience in transformation, digitalization, or engineering/infrastructure projects is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of Ports and/or Logistics.

Technical Skills & Knowledge Required

• Strong competence in project management methodologies.
• Prior PMO experience strongly preferred; project management experience required.
• Excellent knowledge of planning, milestones, RAID management, and governance frameworks.
• Proficiency in project tools (MS Project, Power BI, Excel, SharePoint, Confluence, Jira, BPM tools).
• Familiarity with port-terminal operations (Gate/Yard/Rail/Vessel), engineering, infrastructure, or TOS systems is an advantage.

Behavioral Competences Required

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to synthesize complex topics.
• High level of rigor, structure, and organizational discipline.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Diplomacy, interpersonal sensitivity, and ability to influence without authority.
• Resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, accountable.
• Able to take over projects with hands-on attitude when required.

Language Requirements

• Fluent spoken and written Italian - preferable.
• Fluent spoken and written English - mandatory.

Other Requirements

• Valid EU work permit.
• Availability to relocate to Trieste at short notice (if not already resident).
• Willingness to occasionally travel within Italy and to HHLA International locations.

Salary range: 50.000-65.000€

The salary range indicated represents the expected compensation for the position. The final compensation package will be determined at the end of the recruitment process, considering professional experience, skills, and overall suitability for the role.

We encourage applications from candidates belonging to protected categories under Law 68/99, including individuals with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.

As an international logistics company with its roots in Hamburg, HHLA stands for cosmopolitanism and tolerance. We are convinced of the advantages of different perspectives, experiences, and competences. Our aim is to create a working environment in which humanity, mutual respect and appreciation are the basis for the actions of all employees.

The company promotes hiring and compensation practices based on fairness, transparency, and the recognition of individual skills and competencies, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations