Senior PMO

The new Multipurpose Terminal in the Port of Trieste for Container, RoRo, General Cargo and Project Cargo. The terminal, located in the heart of the Adriatic, is to accommodate growing demand and to become the future interchange platform between sea and rail on the intersection of Baltic, Adriatic and Mediterranean railway.

Your gateway in the Adriatic to Europe.

Trieste, Via degli Alti Forni snc.

HHLA PLT Italy S.r.l.

Transport/Logistics/Container Handling

Purpose of the job

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:

Project Portfolio Governance

• Define, implement, and oversee an efficient governance model for the full projects portfolio.

• Support the Head of Transformation in piloting and executing projects in line with strategic direction.

• Ensure visibility, prioritization, and alignment across projects (OPS, TECH, IT, HSSE, Commercial).

Project Methodology & Standards

• Define and formalize project management methodologies, processes, workflows, and documentation standards (project charters, RAID logs, KPIs, status reports) in coordination with HIG PMO.

• Act as the internal reference for project management best practices.

• Ensure rigorous project planning, tracking, and reporting, including milestones, resources, interdependencies, and risks.

• Work closely with the Head of Transformation on change management.

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.

Continuous Improvement

• 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.

Requirements:

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.

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.

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.

HHLA PLT Italy is part of HHLA Group, with over 6.400 employees worldwide. Success means different things to different people. Therefore, we try to make it possible for each employee working for us to be successful in their own way and develop professionally in accordance with our corporate goals.

Does this spark your interest? Then apply for a job with us

If you would like to shape the future of HHLA PLT Italy together with us, we look forward to receiving your application - preferably online using our application form.