PMO Lead

Great people. Greater business impact.

About CAI

CAI Software builds digital work execution platforms and software solutions that help manufacturing businesses operate with greater clarity and control. Our people bring structure to complexity by replacing fragmented, paper-based processes with connected digital workflows that improve visibility, compliance, and decision-making in real industrial environments. With 45 years of experience and a presence across 10 countries, CAI combines deep industry understanding with practical technology. Our team consists of ~800 employees worldwide who work across 15 core industries and support 5,000 customers, guided by sound judgment, long-term thinking, and outcomes that endure.

CAI Business Units and the Markets We Serve

CAI Software is organized into three business units - Graphic Communications, Process Manufacturing, and Discrete Manufacturing – aligned to the markets we serve. This structure allows our teams to stay close to customer needs while operating with the scale and support of a global software company.

This role is part of our Graphic Communications business unit, which serves the global print and packaging industry with ERP and production software designed for commercial printers, packaging manufacturers, promotional and transactional print providers, sign and display manufacturers, and in-plant print operations. Our solutions help customers manage complex production environments, improve operational visibility, and deliver high-quality products efficiently and profitably.

About the Role

The PMO Lead is responsible for establishing and enforcing project delivery standards, optimizing resource utilization, and ensuring predictable, high-quality execution across all customer engagements. This role centralizes project management functions, directly manages Project Managers, and acts as the operational bridge between Sales, Delivery, and Customer Success.

The PMO Lead ensures that projects are properly scoped, resourced, initiated, governed, and delivered on time, on budget, and to customer expectations.

What You’ll Do

Project Governance & Delivery Excellence

• Enforce standardized project delivery methodology (phases, gates, deliverables)
• Ensure all projects follow defined governance (status reporting, risk management, change control)
• Monitor project health across scope, schedule, budget, and quality
• Lead escalation management and recovery plans for at-risk projects
• Drive consistency in project execution across regions and teams

Resource Management & Utilization

• Own project manager allocation and capacity planning across all engagements
• Partner with regional/resource managers to optimize consultant and solution architect utilization
• Ensure work is assigned promptly
• Balance workload across teams to maximize billable utilization and minimize bench time
• Provide visibility into capacity gaps and hiring needs

Project Intake & Kickoff Process

• Establish a structured intake process from Sales to Services
• Ensure all projects meet entry criteria before kickoff (SOW, defined Scope, budget, timeline)
• Enforce a formal Sales-to-Services handoff process
• Ensure projects are kicked off quickly and correctly
• Drive customer alignment on timelines, resource commitment, and delivery expectations

Financial & Operational Performance

• Track and report on key metrics:
  • Utilization rates
  • Project margin / profitability
  • Revenue forecast vs. actuals
  • Milestone completion and billing
• Ensure timely milestone completion and revenue recognition
• Identify and address revenue loss (scope creep, underutilization, delays)

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly manage Project Managers (hiring, coaching, performance management)
• Establish PM best practices, playbooks, and training programs
• Mentor PMs on customer management, delivery rigor, and financial accountability
• Drive accountability and performance standards across the PM team

Cross-Functional Alignment

• Partner with Sales to ensure realistic scoping and delivery expectations
• Collaborate with Product on escalations, enhancements, and delivery dependencies
• Work with Customer Success to ensure smooth transitions post go-live
• Act as the central point of coordination across delivery functions

Process Improvement & PMO Maturity

• Continuously improve delivery processes, tools, and reporting
• Implement systems for visibility (e.g., dashboards, capacity planning tools)
• Drive adoption of best practices across the organization

What We’re Looking For

• 8-12 years in project/program management within a software, SaaS, ERP product or consulting environment
• 3–5 years leading project managers or PMO functions
• Proven experience managing complex, external customer-facing software product implementations
• Strong background in resource management and utilization optimization
• Strong operational leadership and decision-making
• Deep understanding of project delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid)
• Financial acumen (project margins, forecasting, revenue recognition)
• Excellent stakeholder management (executive to delivery teams)
• Ability to enforce structure while driving accountability
• Data-driven mindset with strong reporting and analytics capability
• Ability to travel 40% of the time domestically.

Why Join Us

You’ll have the opportunity to drive some of the most critical transformation initiatives in our company’s history. This is a highly visible role working directly with senior leadership to shape the future operating model of CAI. You’ll bring clarity, discipline, and execution focus to complex cross-functional programs while gaining exposure across every function of the business.

CAI Software is an “EEO/Veterans/Disabled employer.”

Equal Employment Opportunity 

CAI Software is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law.

Disability Accommodation 

CAI Software endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use the online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact us at talent.acquisition@caisoft.com or send an e-mail with your specific accommodation request.

Work Authorization 

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. CAI Software does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of citizenship or immigration status in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination 

CAI Software will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).