EY EY - CSS PMO Japanese language proficiency 

India, Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 

429256288

Your key responsibilities

• PMO Leadership & Strategy:
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve PMO strategies, methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid), standards, and tools.
  • Establish and manage the project portfolio management process, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
  • Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to project managers and project teams.
  • Champion project management best practices across the organization.
• Governance & Control :
  • Oversee project/program governance, including stage gates, risk/issue management, change control, and quality assurance.
  • Ensure adherence to established project management frameworks and processes.
  • Facilitate project steering committee meetings and decision-making forums, often requiring communication in Japanese.
• Portfolio & Performance Management:
  • Track and monitor the overall health of the project portfolio, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, and dependencies.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms for various stakeholders, including executive leadership and Japanese counterparts.
  • Analyze project data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Stakeholder Management & Communication (Bilingual):
  • Act as a key liaison between project teams, senior management, and Japanese stakeholders/clients/partners.
  • Prepare and deliver clear, concise status reports, presentations, and communications in both English and Japanese.
  • Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across geographically dispersed and culturally diverse teams, bridging potential language and cultural gaps with Japanese counterparts.
  • Manage stakeholder expectations and build strong working relationships.
• Resource & Financial Management:
  • Support resource planning, allocation, and forecasting across the project portfolio.
  • Oversee portfolio-level budget tracking and reporting.
• Tooling & Process Improvement:
  • Manage and optimize PMO tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, PPM tools).
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance project delivery efficiency and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Education : Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience :
  • Minimum 8-10 years of experience in project/program management.
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience specifically within a PMO function, with demonstrable leadership responsibilities.
  • Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional projects and programs in a global environment.
  • Experience interacting directly with Japanese business counterparts, clients, or stakeholders.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Native or Business-Level Fluency in Japanese (written and spoken) - Equivalent to JLPT N1 or N2 strongly preferred. Ability to conduct meetings, read/write technical and business documents, and negotiate in Japanese is essential.
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken).

• Skills :
  • Deep understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., PMP/PMBOK, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum).
  • Proficiency with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira) and collaboration tools.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Financial acumen related to project budgeting and tracking.
  • Cultural awareness and sensitivity, particularly concerning Japanese business practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (MBA or relevant field).
• PMP, PRINCE2, PgMP, PfMP, CSM, or other relevant certifications.
• Experience setting up or significantly transforming a PMO function.
• Experience working within the [Specify Industry, e.g., Technology, Finance, Automotive, Manufacturing] sector.
• Experience managing PMO teams or mentoring project managers.
• Experience living or working extensively in Japan.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strategic thinker with a focus on outcomes and results.
• Resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges and change.
• Collaborative team player with strong leadership skills.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to excellence.
• Ability to lead difficult conversations under complex business situations
• Must have extremely strong MS Excel skills, Power Point
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Able to prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

At EY, we’re dedicated to helping our clients, from start–ups to Fortune 500 companies — and the work we do with them is as varied as they are.
You get to work with inspiring and meaningful projects. Our focus is education and coaching alongside practical experience to ensure your personal development. We value our employees and you will be able to control your own development with an individual progression plan. You will quickly grow into a responsible role with challenging and stimulating assignments. Moreover, you will be part of an interdisciplinary environment that emphasizes high quality and knowledge exchange. Plus, we offer:

• Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.