Director, Portfolio Lead & Agile Coach

Dir & Agile Coach - BA06AE

We’re determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals – and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.   

         

Job Summary: 
The Hartford is seeking a high-energy, highly organized Portfolio Lead/Coach who combines expertise in Agile coaching, program delivery, lean portfolio management, and generative AI knowledge to support Enterprise Agile Lean Governance and Tech Strategy and Enablement initiatives.

The Portfolio Coach will partner with leaders across business and IT to align initiatives with strategic objectives, optimize the flow of value across the organization, and leverage modern tools (including AI) to inform decision-making and drive outcomes. Reporting to the AVP of the Agile Center of Enablement, this is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic leader passionate about lean governance, continuous improvement, and guiding teams and leaders to deliver superior business results in a scaled Agile environment. 

This role will have a Hybrid work schedule, with the expectation of working in Hartford, CT 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday). Candidate must be authorized to work in the US without company sponsorship. The company will not support the STEM OPT I-983 Training Plan endorsement for this position.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leverage strong program management and Agile execution experience to structure and break down complex initiatives (epics, capabilities, features) into manageable components. Use program management practices to monitor scope, timelines, and budgets, ensuring that programs stay on track and deliver intended outcomes. 

• Support lean governance frameworks at the portfolio level to ensure Initiatives or Epics align with enterprise strategy. Oversee the portfolio backlog, and drive strategic prioritization to balance demand with capacity. 

• Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage generative AI and other emerging technologies within portfolio management and delivery processes. Implement AI-driven tools or practices (e.g., predictive analytics for risk management, automated reporting) to enhance decision-making and team efficiency. Coach teams on adopting these solutions responsibly, ensuring that AI augments our processes while aligning with Agile values and business objectives.  

• Coach and mentor executive sponsors, portfolio managers, and Agile leaders in lean-agile practices and mindset, focusing on portfolio-level application. Educate leaders on principles of Lean Portfolio Management (e.g., prioritization, WIP limits, adaptive funding) and guide them in applying lean-agile practices to governance and strategy execution. Provide Agile coaching with an emphasis on scaling practices and sustaining Agile transformations across the enterprise.  

• Identify, track, and mitigate risks and impediments that could hinder the flow of value across teams and programs. Collaborate with senior leadership to escalate and remove systemic blockers, improving overall organizational throughput and delivery predictability. 

• Act as a liaison among business and IT stakeholders to maintain alignment and transparency. Communicate portfolio progress, risks, and achievements in a clear, timely manner, managing stakeholder expectations and fostering strong partnerships. Ensure feedback loops with stakeholders to course-correct and reinforce support for portfolio outcomes. 

• Define and measure meaningful productivity and flow metrics in addition to standard Agile metrics. Track indicators like flow efficiency (work time vs. wait time) and reliability (e.g., system uptime, incident recovery time) alongside team healt