Portfolio Manager Central/East

A Brief Overview The Portfolio Manager leads a high-performing team of Program and Project Managers to ensure the successful delivery of complex, high-impact client programs that drive strategic business outcomes at scale. This role provides portfolio-level oversight across multiple concurrent delivery engagements, ensuring consistent governance, operational excellence, stakeholder alignment, and financial accountability across the entire book of business. Beyond portfolio leadership, this role serves as a force multiplier - elevating the capabilities of Strategic Program Managers through active mentorship, coaching, and the cultivation of a delivery culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings deep experience leading leaders, managing large and diverse program portfolios in a client-facing environment.

Key

Responsibilities Strategic Alignment & Portfolio Governance Owns end-to-end portfolio oversight, ensuring the intake, tracking, and execution of projects align with organizational priorities and measurable business outcomes. Works closely with Clients to prioritize projects based on business value, resource constraints, and risk considerations - maintaining clarity and momentum across a dynamic work environment. Establishes and maintains project governance processes and standards that ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability across the portfolio. Manages resource allocation across the portfolio, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities and operational needs. Stakeholder Engagement & Delivery Management Builds trusted partnerships with Client stakeholders, partners, project managers, engineers, and field teams to monitor portfolio health and maintain alignment with organizational goals. Facilitates recurring portfolio status meetings and cross-functional working sessions to drive decision-making and sustain program momentum. Maintains clear, consistent communication on team workload, performance metrics, and program and/or project progress - translating complex information for audiences from field level to the Client. Leverages strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to influence outcomes, resolve friction, and champion collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups. Project Planning & Execution Oversees program managers developing and implementing project plans with disciplined attention to scope, schedules, resource requirements, and deadlines - operating effectively under tight time constraints. Applies structured problem-solving practices to maintain portfolio momentum and remove delivery obstacles. Proactively identifies and mitigates portfolio-level risks, issues, and critical dependencies before they impact delivery and leads escalation management and resolution planning across the portfolio. Own portfolio-level financial performance including revenue forecasting, gross profit performance, utilization, backlog management, and margin improvement initiatives. Communication Establish strong operating rhythms with project managers and delivery leaders through portfolio reviews, risk reviews, financial reviews, and delivery health checks. Ensure a high-quality client experience through proactive communication, accountability, and consultative engagement. Establishes standardized mechanisms for workload tracking, risk monitoring, and performance reporting to provide real-time visibility into portfolio status. Monitoring, Reporting & Continuous Improvement Creates and delivers reporting and dashboards that synthesize portfolio health, team performance, and strategic insights for leadership and key stakeholders. Anticipates operational needs and develops practical, business-aligned solutions that improve execution quality and stakeholder satisfaction. Drives continuous process improvement efforts to maximize team efficiency, enhance project management practices, and increase value delivery across the portfolio.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business management, engineering or related field; Advanced degree or MBA preferred. PMP or PgMP, Agile, SAFe, or ITIL certifications a plus. 10+ years in program/project management, with 5+ years leading large, complex, cross-functional IT or infrastructure programs in a Professional Services and/or Managed Services environment The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, strategic thinking abilities, and a proven track record of successfully managing complex project portfolios. They will lead multi-disciplinary teams to ensure effective project execution and portfolio management. Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for multimillion-dollar programs. Excellent written and verbal communications skills including the ability to communicate complex ideas and information to different audiences and levels. Knowledge of IT infrastructure, governance, risk management, and program planning tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Power BI). Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills, with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

Requirements Mark - here is the PMO Hiring Initiative Overview summary from the details we built: PMO Hiring Initiative - Overview Hiring Objective Build a high-performing Project Management Office (PMO) team across the U.S. (and select UK opportunities). Target roles include: Portfolio Managers Program Managers Senior Project Managers Approximately 25+ open positions. Priority is quality of hire over speed - leadership prefers waiting for the right person rather than filling seats quickly. Ideal Candidate Profile Cultural Fit (Top Priority) Candidates must demonstrate: Strong alignment with company core values High emotional intelligence (EQ) Accountability and ownership mindset Professional executive presence Trusted advisor mentality Strong relationship-building skills Clear, confident communication Collaboration and team-first approach Ability to professionally represent the brand with customers Leadership preference: Strong performer + great teammate Technical expert who creates friction or lacks collaboration Consulting Mindset

Requirements A major focus is hiring people with consulting experience, not just project tracking experience. Strong candidates should show: Ability to operate in ambiguous environments Client-facing experience Executive stakeholder management Business outcome focus Ability to challenge respectfully and influence decisions Experience guiding customers vs simply taking direction The team is looking for people who can say: “Here is the business outcome we need, here are the risks, and here is the recommended path forward.” Not: “Tell me what tasks you want completed.” Portfolio Manager Expectations Focus: Strategic leadership Multiple programs/projects Executive relationships Business alignment Key abilities: Manage portfolios tied to business goals Prioritize investments and resources Provide executive visibility Identify risks across programs Drive customer value realization Program Manager Expectations Focus: Coordinating complex initiatives Key abilities: Lead multiple related projects Manage dependencies Coordinate teams and stakeholders Remove roadblocks Communicate status and risks clearly Ensure business outcomes are achieved Senior Project Manager Expectations Focus: Delivery excellence Key abilities: Own project execution from start to finish Manage scope, budget, timeline, risks Lead cross-functional teams Maintain strong customer communication Drive accountability Preferred Background Strong preference for: Consulting firms Professional services organizations Enterprise customer environments Technology transformation programs Experience areas valued: Infrastructure Cloud Data center Digital transformation Security Enterprise IT programs Key Interview Evaluation Themes Hiring managers should determine: Leadership Does this person lead outcomes or just manage tasks? Customer Presence Would we trust this person in front of a senior executive customer? Adaptability Can they succeed without perfect direction? Communication Can they simplify complex issues? Accountability Do they own problems through resolution? Team Fit Will others want to work with them? Hiring Philosophy Summary The ideal PMO candidate is: A consultant first, project manager second. Someone who combines: Business acumen Delivery discipline Customer trust Leadership presence Strong teamwork The goal is to hire people who can become long-term trusted advisors and leaders, not just manage schedules and status reports.