Position: Director, Project Management Office (PMO)
Location: North York/Hybrid
Industry: Financial Services
Department: PMO
Employment Type: Permanent/Fulltime
Salary: $137,000-$147,000 + Bonus
Position Summary The Director, Project Management Office (PMO) will lead the development of a high-performing, enterprise PMO, with a strong focus on people leadership, capability building, governance and standardization on best practices, and organizational alignment. This role is responsible not only for ensuring effective project delivery, but also for developing talent, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, and embedding project management excellence across the organization.
This is a highly visible leadership role requiring deep partnership with executive leadership and the ability to influence, coach, and inspire teams across Farber, including working effectively with highly capable and independent stakeholders. This role requires a leader who can balance structure with pragmatism-building trust, navigating resistance, and bringing teams along while establishing consistent project discipline.
Farber operates in a fast-paced, intellectually rigorous environment where leaders are encouraged to think independently and challenge ideas. The PMO Director must be comfortable operating in this context-bringing structure and clarity without stifling autonomy and influencing alignment where formal authority may be limited.
Key Responsibilities People Leadership & Team Development
- Provide day-to-day leadership of the PMO, ensuring consistent application of methodology, governance, and delivery standards
- Act as the primary escalation point for delivery risks, resourcing constraints, and cross-team dependencies
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of project managers and analysts
- Lead with a coaching mindset, adapting approach to different personalities, experience levels, and working styles
- Establish clear roles, career paths, and development plans to grow PMO talent
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Coach and support project leaders across the organization, elevating enterprise project management capability
PMO Strategy & Organizational Enablement
- Establish and evolve the PMO as a center of excellence, with a strong focus on enabling people and teams to succeed
- Provide value to the business and the various stakeholders in frequently providing advice and guidance from the PMO's unique perspective
- Develop and implement frameworks, tools, and training to standardize and elevate project delivery
- Align project portfolio with Farber's strategic priorities and business goals
Project & Portfolio Oversight
- Oversee the intake, prioritization, and execution of enterprise-wide initiatives
- Ensure consistent application of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid)
- Monitor project performance, risks, and resource capacity across the portfolio
- Provide clear, actionable reporting and insights to senior leadership.
- Seek guidance from senior leadership when necessary
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
- Build credibility with senior leaders and subject matter experts who may challenge process, timelines, or priorities
- Influence alignment across strong personalities and competing viewpoints, using a combination of data, empathy, and sound judgment
- Navigate resistance constructively balancing firmness on standards with flexibility in approach
- Act as a trusted advisor who can both challenge and support stakeholders to improve outcomes
- Translate PMO structure into practical value, ensuring teams see governance as an enabler rather than a constraint
Governance & Risk Management
- Establish governance structures that promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks across the project portfolio
- Ensure adherence to best practices, internal controls, and regulatory requirements, while applying sound judgment and pragmatism to fit the needs of the business
Qualifications - PMP required; PMI-PMOCP (PMO Certified Practitioner) designation
- 10+ years of progressive experience in project management/program management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
- Demonstrated success building, scaling, or transforming a PMO, ideally within professional or financial services
- Strong track record of leading and developing high-performing teams
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence and align teams from the individual contributor to the executive level
- Expert-level knowledge of both Agile and traditional project management methodologies and the ability to apply them appropriately
- Strong understanding of system architecture, application models, data flows, and integrations
- Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills
- A strategic and data-driven mindset, with a passion for creating processes that are both effective and efficient
- Post-secondary degree/diploma required; MBA or relevant advanced degree is an asset
Key Competencies
- Inspirational leadership and talent development
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Execution and results orientation
- Change leadership and adaptability
- High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust with diverse, strong-minded stakeholders
- Skilled at influencing without direct authority in complex, matrixed environments
- Balances structure and discipline with flexibility and pragmatism
- Confident communicator who can challenge constructively and navigate difficult conversations
- Resilient and composed in the face of ambiguity, pushback, or competing priorities
- Strong business judgment and ability to connect project delivery to real outcomes
Benefits, and Perks - Remote work model
- Vacation and wellness days
- Extended health and dental coverage, plus virtual doctor services
- Employee Assistance Program and mental health resources
- Company-matching retirement savings plan
- Financial support for professional development
- Annual company events
- Exclusive access to perks and discounts
