Head of IT Project and Portfolio Management

Arxada is a global specialty chemicals business that’s committed to solving the world’s toughest preservation challenges through better science. [With a proud history of innovation dating back more than a century], we aim to help our customers develop more sustainable solutions that protect and maintain the health and wellbeing of people and extend the life of vital infrastructure while working to reduce our and our customers’ ecological footprint.

Sustainable preservation is one of our top priorities. We are making significant strategic investments that will not only decrease our own environmental footprint, but also help customers adapt to long-term environmental and social change through the development of cleaner, greener solutions.

The Head of IT Project and Portfolio Management will oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of IT projects within the organization. The person will act as a change agent to establish and promote an agile mindset and methodologies across the organization. This role involves managing the team of internal and external IT project managers, ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Key accountabilities:

Agile Mindset and Methodologies:

• Act as a change agent to promote and establish an agile mindset and culture within the organization.

• Implement agile methodologies where meaningful in projects, continuous improvements, and changes.

• Train and mentor team members on agile practices and principles.

• Ensure facilitation of agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, and solution trains are working effectively.

• Continuously assess and improve agile processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Project and Portfolio Management:

• Oversee the IT project portfolio, ensuring alignment with the company’s goals and project budgets.

• Establish a strong business partnering and make sure requirements for IT are understood and considered early

• Ensure projects requests, continuous improvements and changes are assessed and prioritized based on strategic importance and approved following the financial approval rules.

• Ensure compliance with security and enterprise architecture principles.

• Ensure effective resource planning and allocation.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead the team of internal and external IT project managers.

• Develop and implement project management methodologies, tools and best practices, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organizational standards

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Track project performance and risks using appropriate tools and techniques.

• Ensure comprehensive regular project status reporting to key stakeholders.

• Analyze project outcomes and implement lessons learned.

Required skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Informatics, or similar education

• Min. 10+ years’ experience in Information Technology and IT project management.

• Proven experience in implementing and managing agile methodologies and practices, incl. management of cultural change

• Experience in a leadership role managing multiple projects and teams.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency in project management tools and software.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.

• Innovation oriented and understanding how latest technologies can be applied to increase business value

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification.

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or equivalent agile certification.

• ITIL certification is a plus.

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection.

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications.