Portfolio Manager - Strategic Initiatives

You could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members. Centene is transforming the health of our communities, one person at a time. As a diversified, national organization, you’ll have access to competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility.
 

Position Purpose

The Portfolio Manager supports a matrixed program and portfolio management (PPM) environment by partnering with Portfolio Leads and cross-functional teams to guide execution and reporting across a set of strategic initiatives. This role is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing program and project information to support governance, decision-making, and overall portfolio transparency. The Portfolio Manager also plays a critical role in maintaining strong relationships across teams and ensuring timely escalation of issues or barriers to progress.

In this Portfolio Manager role, you will:

• Aggregate and analyze information from initiatives to support portfolio-level tracking, performance measurement, and progress monitoring.
• Collaborate with Portfolio Leads, Program Managers, and business stakeholders on portfolio management practices and documentation.
• Prepare high-quality reporting materials for senior leaders, governance forums, and cross-functional reviews.
• Maintain tools, templates, and guidance that support effective portfolio management.
• Participate in or lead cross-functional workgroups to evolve governance processes and improve portfolio operations.
• Serve as a connector across delivery teams and leadership, building strong relationships and ensuring timely communication and escalation of key issues.
• Research and apply portfolio management best practices to enhance internal standards and frameworks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This role provides the opportunity to:

• Partner directly with executive and senior leaders on high-impact initiatives.
• Shape and support how strategic work is governed, tracked, and communicated.
• Build trusted relationships across business units, delivery teams, and leadership.
• Gain visibility into enterprise-level priorities and execution.
• Join a collaborative, improvement-oriented team that values clarity, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Help refine and implement portfolio tools and processes in a growing and evolving organization.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Information Systems, Data Analytics or Finance or equivalent experience is required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project and program management is required.
• Analytical skills, including Data Sciences and Business Intelligence Reporting is required.
• Some experience functioning as a lead is required.

License/Certification: A certification in one of the following is preferred: PfMP, CAPM, PMP, CGEIT, CISA, Data Sciences Certification

Preferred Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in project, program, or portfolio management, including exposure to enterprise reporting and coordination.
• Prior experience working in matrixed or cross-functional environments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize information and develop actionable insights.
• Smartsheet Core Product Certification preferred.
• Proficiency with collaborative work management platforms (e.g., Smartsheet or similar).
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills, including preparation of executive-ready deliverables.
• Highly organized and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated independent judgment and follow-through on escalations.

Applicants for this job have the flexibility to work remote from home anywhere in the Continental United States.

Pay Range: $86,000.00 - $154,700.00 per year

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules.  Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time