Head of Project & Solution Design

Your mission

As Head of Project & Solution Design, you will build, lead, and scale a high-performing project management organization (PMO). You are accountable for delivering predictable, profitable project portfolios while ensuring excellence in execution, staffing, and methodology. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on portfolio steering.
 

Key Responsibilities

PMO Leadership & Strategy

• Build and lead a best-in-class Project Management Office (PMO)
• Define and implement standards, methodologies, and governance across all projects
• Drive continuous improvement of delivery processes and tools

Portfolio Management

• Own end-to-end project portfolio performance (delivery, profitability, predictability)
• Ensure high transparency on project status, risks, and financial performance
• Actively steer portfolio and responsible to meet business and margin targets, and financial results

Resource & Staffing Management

• Own staffing decisions based on rolling capacity planning (6–8 weeks horizon)
• Optimize resource allocation across projects to maximize utilization and outcomes
• Collaborate closely with leadership on hiring and workforce planning

Delivery Excellence

• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget
• Establish strong risk and escalation management practices
• Drive accountability and performance culture across all project managers

Stakeholder Management

• Act as senior counterpart for key internal and external stakeholders
• Support sales and solution design processes where needed
• Ensure alignment between delivery, sales, and strategic objectives 

Key Outcomes

• High portfolio predictability (delivery accuracy within defined thresholds)
• Strong profitability across project portfolio (e.g., contribution margin targets)
• Consistent on-time and on-budget project delivery
• Scalable and standardized PMO setup

KPIs

• Portfolio contribution margin (weighted DB%)
• Plan vs. actual delivery performance
• Resource utilization and staffing efficiency
• Project predictability and delivery accuracy

Decision Authority

• Final ownership of staffing decisions based on capacity planning
• Authority over PMO standards, tools, and governance
• Accountability for portfolio performance and delivery outcome

Your profile

Must-Have

• 5+ years of experience in consulting, project management, or similar environments
• Proven leadership experience managing multiple project managers or teams
• Strong track record in managing complex project portfolios
• Deep understanding of project delivery, financial steering, and PMO structures
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Good German and English language and willing to travel
• A security clearance may be required for this position.

Nice-to-Have

• Industry experience (e.g., Defence, Public Sector, Commercial)
• Experience in solution design or pre-sales environments
• Familiarity with scaling organizations or building PMOs

Leadership Level

• Senior leadership role with responsibility for a team of multiple Project Managers
• Strong strategic influence combined with operational accountability

What Success Looks Like
You create a highly predictable, scalable, and profitable project organization that consistently delivers excellence—while enabling growth and maintaining strong stakeholder trust.

Why us?

• High impact role with real ownership: Take full ownership of the PMO and directly influence delivery excellence, profitability, and company growth. 
• Build, not maintain: Shape and scale a project organization from the ground up—define standards, processes, and culture instead of inheriting rigid structures. 
• Close to strategy and leadership: Work directly with senior leadership and play a key role in steering the company’s project portfolio and strategic direction. 
• Entrepreneurial environment: Operate in a fast-moving, outcome-driven culture where decisions are made quickly and ideas turn into action. 
• Strong link between delivery and business success: Your work has a visible and measurable impact on margins, growth, and client satisfaction. 
• Talented and collaborative team: Join a highly skilled, motivated team with strong expertise in data, AI, and digital solutions. 
• Challenging and diverse projects
•  Work on complex, high-impact projects across industries, often with cutting-edge technologies. 
• Room to grow and shape your role
• Expand your scope as the company grows—this role evolves with your ambition and performance.

Information

• Location: Kiel, Germany

Industry experience

Seniority: Manager, Director, Professor

Years of experience: 5 to 10 years

Taxonomy

• Non Profit
• Water Management & Security
• Project Management
• Project Management
• Construction of Water Projects
• Water Special Projects,