Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager - Digital Solution Management

Role Overview

The Portfolio Manager is responsible for aligning the organization's IT portfolio, including digital solutions, services, projects, and programmes, with strategic business objectives. The role ensures effective prioritization, governance, funding, resource allocation, risk management, and performance monitoring across the portfolio to maximize business value and support organizational transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Portfolio Management

• Align digital solutions, services, projects, and programmes with organizational strategy and business goals.
• Assemble, maintain, and optimize a balanced IT portfolio across Run, Grow, and Transform investment horizons.
• Utilize value-based scoring models and dependency mapping to support strategic decision-making.
• Ensure portfolio initiatives contribute to organizational vision, priorities, and Objectives & Key Results (OKRs).

Portfolio Prioritization and Value Delivery

• Evaluate and prioritize portfolio components using structured frameworks such as:
• Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
• Cost of Delay
• Return on Investment (ROI)
• Strategic Value Assessments
• Track benefits realization and portfolio value delivery.
• Conduct scenario planning and "what-if" analysis to optimize portfolio outcomes.

Resource and Capacity Management

• Manage resource capacity and allocation across initiatives.
• Utilize Portfolio Kanban practices for visibility into dependencies and constraints.
• Enforce Work-in-Progress (WIP) limits and support quarterly portfolio planning activities.
• Optimize resource utilization to improve overall portfolio performance.

Financial and Budget Management

• Oversee portfolio budgets using Lean Budgeting and Rolling-Wave Planning approaches.
• Manage Operational Expenditure (OPEX) and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) across value streams.
• Establish financial guardrails and trigger mechanisms for budget reallocation.
• Monitor financial performance and manage portfolio variances.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Define and monitor portfolio KPIs and OKRs.
• Develop and maintain standardized portfolio dashboards and reporting structures.
• Produce executive reports, heatmaps, benefits tracking reports, and portfolio performance summaries.
• Ensure data-driven decision-making through analytics and reporting.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Establish and maintain an aggregated portfolio risk register.
• Define risk appetite thresholds and monitor systemic portfolio risks.
• Assign risk owners and track mitigation activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, governance standards, and external regulations.

Portfolio Governance and Change Control

• Establish and manage portfolio governance frameworks, including:
• Portfolio Boards
• Decision Authorities
• Escalation Mechanisms
• Portfolio Change Control Processes
• Conduct impact assessments and manage portfolio-wide changes.
• Ensure transparent decision-making and stakeholder communication.

Stakeholder Management

• Communicate portfolio status, risks, priorities, and performance to senior stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration between:
• Solution Managers
• Service Managers
• Programme Managers
• Project Managers
• IT Teams
• Business Departments
• Build alignment and secure stakeholder buy-in for portfolio decisions.

Organizational Change Management

• Assess organizational impacts arising from portfolio decisions and reprioritization activities.
• Support business transformation initiatives and change adoption efforts.

Continuous Improvement

• Continuously assess and improve portfolio management practices, processes, and governance mechanisms.
• Promote best practices and portfolio management maturity across the organization.

Required Technical Expertise:

Portfolio Management

• Proven expertise in managing enterprise IT portfolios.
• Strong understanding of portfolio management methodologies such as:
• PM² Portfolio Management (PM²-PfM)
• PMI Portfolio Management Standards
• Management of Portfolios (MoP)

Project and Programme Management

• Knowledge of:
• PM² Project Management
• PM² Programme Management (PM²-PgM)
• Agile Portfolio Management Practices
• Lean Portfolio Management

Governance and Service Management

• Good understanding of:
• COBIT
• ITIL 4
• ISO 38500
• Knowledge of enterprise governance frameworks and portfolio oversight principles.

Digital Solutions and Architecture

• Understanding of:
• Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
• Digital Solution Lifecycles
• Enterprise Architecture
• IT Infrastructure Domains
• Dependency Mapping

Financial Management

• Experience with:
• Lean Budgeting
• Portfolio Funding Models
• OPEX/CAPEX Management
• Financial Governance

Risk Management

• Proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks across large IT portfolios.
• Experience in portfolio-level risk assessment and governance.

Cybersecurity

• Technical understanding of cybersecurity principles and IT asset protection.

Portfolio Management Tools

Hands-on experience with one or more of the following:

• ServiceNow Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM)
• Planview
• Broadcom Clarity
• Jira Align

Education & Certifications

Mandatory (One of the Following)

• PMI Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
• Management of Portfolios (MoP)
• PRINCE2 Certification
• Equivalent recognized portfolio management certification

Preferred

• SAFe Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) Certification

Required Skills & Competencies

Leadership & Strategic Thinking

• Ability to align portfolio investments with strategic business objectives.
• Strong decision-making and prioritization capabilities.

Financial Acumen

• Ability to manage portfolio budgets and financial performance effectively.
• Understanding of value-based investment planning.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and secure buy-in.

Risk Management

• Ability to identify systemic portfolio risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Analytical Skills

• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Ability to evaluate initiatives based on value, cost, risk, and resource availability.

Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate complex portfolio information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Skilled in presenting portfolio status, performance, and recommendations.

Collaboration

• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional and multicultural teams.
• Capable of working independently and in collaborative environments.

Results Orientation

• Strong focus on outcomes, value realization, and continuous improvement.

Language Requirements

Mandatory

• Fluent in English & one of French or Dutch.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic and business-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Adaptable and resilient in dynamic environments.
• Proactive problem solver.
• Strong relationship builder.
• Results and value-driven professional.
• High level of accountability and ownership.

Experience Level: Advanced / Senior Portfolio Management Professional

Domain: Digital Solutions & IT Portfolio Management

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: EU Institutions / Enterprise IT Environment (as applicable)