PMO Specialist

Location: Austin, United States of AmericaThales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billions of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.

Position Summary

Austin, Hybrid

We are seeking a PMO Specialist to join Thales in Austin, TX.

As a Project Management Office (PMO) Specialist for the Identity and Biometrics Solutions team in the USA, you will serve as a key member of the Projects and Portfolio Management organization, providing advanced analytical, governance, reporting, and project management support across the NORAM portfolio.

The PMO Specialist is responsible for analyzing complex project and portfolio data, establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying trends and risks, and translating data into meaningful insights and recommendations for project teams and leadership. The role will independently develop and enhance reporting tools, dashboards, templates, governance practices, and portfolio-level processes that improve visibility, consistency, compliance, and decision-making.

This position partners closely with Project Managers, functional teams, Finance, and business leadership to support project scheduling, financial analysis, portfolio reporting, project governance, internal audits, and continuous improvement initiatives. The PMO Specialist will also contribute to executive-level project and portfolio reviews by ensuring information is accurate, consistent, and presented in a manner that supports effective business decisions.

The Identity and Biometrics Solutions team designs and develops innovative products and solutions ranging from desktop applications integrating biometric devices to high-performance server applications, secure identity-document issuance solutions utilizing PKI, encryption, and cryptography, and emerging digital identity technologies such as Digital Driver’s Licenses.

The Projects and Portfolio Management team is responsible for leading the definition, execution, acceptance, and handoff of projects across the business line within the region.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Must have U.S. Citizenship in order to obtain the post-hire Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Clearance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and must be able to obtain post-hire clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investments in the U.S. (CFIUS) and Department of Justice.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Independently analyze and interpret complex Projects and Services data to identify trends, patterns, risks, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

• Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, visualizations, and analytical tools that provide meaningful insight into project, portfolio, and business performance.
• Analyze large and diverse datasets, validate findings, draw informed conclusions, and develop actionable recommendations for Project Managers and leadership.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve Projects and Portfolio KPIs, including defining measurement methodologies, monitoring performance, identifying variances, and recommending corrective or improvement actions.
• Prepare and communicate analytical findings, portfolio trends, risks, and recommendations to management and senior leadership.
• Partner cross-functionally with Project Management, Finance, Operations, Engineering, and other stakeholders to interpret project and portfolio performance and resolve reporting or data inconsistencies.
• Apply and promote Thales Manage Project, DDQS, and other applicable governance processes across NORAM projects; conduct internal compliance reviews and identify opportunities to strengthen adherence.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Projects and Portfolio Management, including improvements arising from bids, projects, lessons learned, PPE activities, and portfolio performance analysis.
• Evaluate and enhance project governance tools, templates, reporting standards, and deliverables to improve consistency, quality, efficiency, and the customer and executive experience.
• Analyze project financial performance and develop portfolio-level reporting that provides visibility into financial trends, variances, contingencies, risks, and overall project health.
• Lead the preparation and coordination of monthly executive project and portfolio reviews, including project financials, schedule performance, KPIs, variances, contingencies, risks, and key management actions.
• Develop and distribute recurring NORAM Projects and Services communications and reporting, including weekly portfolio reports, quarterly newsletters, dashboards, and executive presentations.
• Partner with Project Managers in the development and maintenance of project schedules; develop and maintain integrated master schedules and portfolio-level schedule views to identify dependencies, risks, and potential impacts.
• Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve PMO reporting, analytics, governance, and administrative processes.
• Provide guidance to project teams regarding PMO reporting standards, templates, governance requirements, and established project management practices.
• Ensure compliance with Thales policies and procedures, customer requirements, security standards, and all applicable regulatory requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Data Analytics, Engineering, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in project management, PMO, portfolio management, business analytics, program operations, or a related field.

• Strong working knowledge of project and portfolio management principles, tools, methodologies, and governance practices.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex business, project, financial, or operational data and translating findings into meaningful recommendations.
• Experience developing and monitoring KPIs, dashboards, management reports, and executive-level presentations.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to independently evaluate information and identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliverables with limited supervision in a complex, cross functional environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to present information and analytical findings to project teams, management, and senior leadership.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, including PivotTables and data analysis capabilities, as well as PowerPoint, Word, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools, including hands-on experience using Microsoft 365 Copilot to improve productivity and streamline workflows across Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Experience developing standardized templates, processes, reporting tools, and documentation.
• Experience supporting project schedules, project financials, governance activities, and/or portfolio-level reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a formal Project Management Office or project/portfolio governance environment.

• Experience developing or improving project management processes, governance standards, reporting methodologies, and performance metrics.
• Experience defining, tracking, analyzing, and reporting project or portfolio KPIs.
• Experience developing executive-level dashboards, presentations, and business performance reporting.
• Experience with data visualization and business intelligence tools.
• Experience developing customer-facing materials, communications, or informational content.
• Experience designing training materials, instructional content, or informational videos.
• PMP, CAPM or related project management/process improvement certification.

Special Position Requirements

Travel: Up to 25% travel domestic/with 2 times per year international/abroad

Why Join Us?

Say HI and learn more about working at Thales click here.

This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at [email protected].

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 80,994.75 - 143,792.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including - but not limited to - the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please raise HR request through MyThales)

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

• Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

• Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period
• Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program