Project Management Office Manager

Olen

Research & Development

Posted on 02-07-2025

About Umicore

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Powering the cars of the future. Giving new life to used metals. We are the leading circular materials technology company fulfilling its mission to create materials for a better life. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do?

About Corporate Research & Development

Driving progress through research. Providing material solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges and anticipating the needs of our customers requires a high level of investment in research. Umicore’s Group Research capabilities focus on new materials and processes to address the megatrends of resource scarcity and clean mobility. The nature of research and development means that we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

What you will be doing

As Project Management Officer (PMO) in our Corporate Research & Development (CRD) team, you act as a steering and monitoring body within the CRD organization to ensure that project governance is followed, progress is reported and issues are flagged to the relevant responsible if needed.

The role can be based in Olen, Belgium (preference) or Hanau, Germany.

Responsibilities:

Analyze CRD & Umicore portfolio and establish proper portfolio reporting

• Analyze the CRD project portfolio in terms of balance 
• Collect and analyze the global Umicore project portfolio
• Perform ad hoc portfolio analysis based on ad hoc Mgmt. questions
• Responsible for tracking the overall innovation data on the status of those projects.
• Define, together with the TID and CRD controlling the CRD budget and expense reporting (Program & competence reports, R&D investments)
• Responsible for gathering of relevant project data and produce information to be presented in monthly CRD reporting
• Regular R&D portfolio status reporting to senior management
• Regular global Umicore portfolio reporting to the TID and SVP

Follow up, analysis and management of innovation excellence activities and KPI’s

• Direct and coordinate innovation excellence activities across programs ensuring the most critical indicators are followed-up in an accurate way and that execution occurs on schedule and within budget and progress is properly monitored and reported
• Ensure KPI’s remain aligned, updated and improved if needed in-line with the innovation key changes
• Ensure delivery in line with the CRD governance timelines and objectives
• Ensure regular follow-up and analysis of CRD KPI’s together with relevant platform responsibles
• Collection and follow-up of Umicore KPI’s

Implement, maintain and benchmark project governance structure

• Ensure development and implementation of consistent as well as standardized R&D related innovation governance processes
• Create together with the TID and roll-out a common set of principles, practices, and templates for managing various organizational projects.
• Implement prioritization and scoring models (KPI’s) for better assessment of the requests that should be approved
• Support in the organization of the steerco’s and Innovation Boards to oversee and balance the overall innovation efforts
• System administrator of the PMO tool of choice.
• Benchmark Umicore’s innovation governance system

Coordinate the CRD portfolio and support its decision making process

• Provide decisive documentation which is required to discuss the R&D portfolio which enables the management to make informed and timely portfolio and project gate review decisions

• Prepare and support in R&D portfolio decision making process in the MT.
• Align the CRD innovation portfolio with the overall strategy and objectives
• Define and follow up innovation objectives, priorities and risks

Mentor and train project and program Managers

• Organize project mgmt. and other project portfolio management related trainings globally (in collaboration with Umicore Technical & Digital Academy) to ensure quick learning curve of new project managers
• Coach the program manager in their execution of the programs
• Support the organization of brainstorming / ideation sessions and moderate if needed.

Professionalize and benchmark CRD’s ’s innovation mgmt. process

• Build an external network and bring in an outside-in view

• Collaborate and build partnerships outside and across the CRD  organization (corporate digitalization, other BU’s PMO managers) to ensure and support the success of the programs/projects
• Participate in Innovation mgmt. conferences
• Introduce new ways/trends in innovation into CRD (e.g. agile methods, digital methods,..)

Who we are looking for

• Master’s degree in Innovation Management, in exact or applied sciences, working experience in the domains of research projects is an asset
• Program management, organizing, planning and coordination skills
• Business acumen and good understanding of R&D finance
• Thorough knowledge of MS office products (with focus on Excel and PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of project scheduling programs is a plus (e.g. MS Project)
• Demonstrated ability to inspire effective teamwork and motivate staff in a global matrix structure
• Experience in managing global research programs with significant financial value and complicated structure
•  Ability to utilize resources effectively on global scale including programs with multiple budgets
• Good presentation skills and confidence presenting to senior management
•  Ability to make sound decisions in ambiguous or difficult situations, synthesizing information from multiple sources and use it for effective decision making
•  Fluent writing and speaking in English
•  Analytical thinking, problem-solving ability and strong drive for innovation and change
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and to work independently under general direction, having a good sense of prioritization of assigned goals and manage time accordingly
• Good communicator, strong interpersonal skills, promoter of inter-team cooperation

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?

If our research can help tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO?

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