portfolio manager/operations type program manager, planning, non technical
Malvern, PA - hybrid
Portfolio Management Office (PMO) / Program Manager Opportunity Role Overview The hiring manager clarified that this position is not a traditional project management role focused on delivering individual projects. Instead, it is an operational Portfolio Management Office (PMO) role centered on workforce planning, budgeting, resource management, vendor oversight, and portfolio governance within the Workplace Technology IT organization.
Key Responsibilities- Support and manage the IT portfolio from a budgeting, resource planning, and operational perspective.
- Lead and coordinate the annual planning process, including:
- Budget development and forecasting
- Resource and workforce planning
- Contractor and staffing strategies
- Software and licensing planning
- Portfolio prioritization and alignment
- Track actuals versus forecasts on a monthly and quarterly basis.
- Manage vendor relationships, Statements of Work (SOWs), contract negotiations, and third-party sourcing activities.
- Oversee workforce management activities, including contractor tracking, onboarding/offboarding schedules, rates, costs, and resource allocation.
- Facilitate collaboration between business leaders, IT teams, and external partners to drive planning and execution.
Candidate Profile The ideal candidate will be:
- An experienced Program Manager or Portfolio Manager with approximately 5 8 years of relevant experience.
- A strong individual contributor with no direct reports but capable of influencing stakeholders and driving accountability across teams.
- Highly skilled in relationship management, communication, negotiation, and executive-level stakeholder engagement.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and proactively solving problems.
- Strong in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, with a business-focused rather than technical background.
- Experienced in budgeting, financial management, resource planning, vendor management, and PMO operations.
Top Priorities During the First Six Months- Support and drive the organization's annual planning process.
- Assist leadership with budget forecasting, resource planning, and portfolio management activities.
- Coordinate stakeholders across business and IT functions to facilitate decision-making and planning execution.
Work Environment- Hybrid work schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday onsite.
- Preferred location is Malvern due to the concentration of business stakeholders, though other locations may be considered.
Recruiting and Screening Expectations The hiring manager emphasized the importance of identifying candidates with genuine PMO and portfolio management experience rather than individuals whose resumes have simply been tailored to match the job description.
To ensure quality:
- Candidates will undergo a thorough first-round screening process.
- Scenario-based and competency-focused interview questions will be used to validate experience.
- The recruiting team will present a small group of highly qualified candidates rather than a large volume of resumes.
- Initial interviews are expected to last approximately 30 45 minutes.
Critical Experience Areas Candidates should demonstrate experience in:
- Portfolio Management Office (PMO) operations
- Vendor Management Office (VMO) functions
- Third-party sourcing and vendor oversight
- SOW development and negotiation
- Workforce planning and resource management
- Budgeting and financial forecasting
- Stakeholder management and executive communication
- Prioritization and managing competing business demands
This role is best described as a
PMO/Portfolio Operations Manager position with a strong focus on
financial planning, workforce management, vendor governance, and organizational planning rather than traditional project delivery.