Director, Portfolio Management

Portfolio Manager

Reporting to the PMO Vice President, the Data Portfolio Manager will play a key role as an advocate and partner with the business and Data technology team to develop an integrated view of the enterprise portfolio of projects that deliver strategic advantages to meet growth and operational efficiency objectives.  

The candidate will have broad solution delivery experience and will apply wide-ranging skills in methodologies such as business process re-engineering, full project lifecycle management (including iterative, waterfall, and agile), financial management, technology acumen (especially in Data Services), and integrating business strategy into delivery.  The candidate will partner closely with the business and data technology team to develop an integrated view of the enterprise; this work will link business and data technology concepts to deliver value to National Life.  The right candidate will be a self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset to challenge the status quo to create value for the enterprise through innovative ideas, intellectual debate, and collaboration with teams for successful project delivery.  The candidate will have executive presence and will be a “roll up the sleeves” individual to be personally engage in the work of the data project team, paying attention to details while modeling NLG’s Servant Leadership Tenets. 

Project & Portfolio Management Responsibilities

• Partner with PMO leaders to ensure compliance to established project management processes and technology processes; Perform analysis of non-compliances and identify improvement opportunities
• Create project and portfolio definitions/charters for overall delivery that include alignment to strategy, business benefits, financials, Data technology design and overall value creation for the enterprise
• Work with the business and Data technology teams to assess current capabilities and identify high-level requirements
• Translate internal client needs into actionable value by being a key member of the team that converts ideas into realistic and well-orchestrated project plans
• Collaborate with PMO leaders to optimize resource planning, resource acquisition and utilization of both employees and contractors
• Provide governance, reporting and oversight for the Data portfolio to all stakeholders and teams to ensure project goals are accomplished within approved timeframe, scope, and budget
• Use data effectively and accurately to manage the Data project portfolio for resources, timeframe, and scope as well as risks and limitations
• Be metrics driven and improve delivery benchmarks year over year. Responsible for measuring quality, timeliness and benefits realized across delivery of all projects in the portfolio

Leadership, Collaboration & Communication Responsibilities

• Demonstrate command of the Data portfolio by maintaining detailed knowledge of the portfolio at all times and being prepared to talk about value, financials and progress with short notice or ad-hoc for various audiences, including Executive Leadership
• Diligently manage to the vision of the Data portfolio reminding all stakeholders of deviations from the goal and being able to have the foresight to see the “unknown” within the portfolio by connecting the dots, anticipating risks, and not leaving things to chance
• Demonstrate ability to “sell” Data initiatives; Understand what motivates key stakeholders, listen to their concerns, and address them effectively using influence
• Demonstrate ability to manage and reduce conflict; provide a calming force to project teams
• Invited by the project team / key business stakeholders to participate and advise on important project decisions
• Work closely with the Data technology team and PMO Team to understand, communicate and effectively manage the connections between business and technology within the portfolio
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Data technology, business partners and key stakeholders especially the executive sponsors of initiatives
• Accountable to ensure all stakeholders needed for the projects and the portfolio overall are informed and are a part of key decisions
• Promote the understanding of project management importance and be a brand ambassador for the project delivery team

Team Development

• Responsible for mentoring project teams and providing real time feedback
• Accountable for the performance of projects within the Data portfolio
• Mentor team members in the development of business analysis and project management disciplines, applying industry best practices/standards for continuous improvement
• Work w