Portfolio Manager

Ascend Learning, LLC•Leawood, OR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025. Ascend Learning is looking for talented, passionate professionals to join them in their mission to help change lives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management, or a related field required.
10+ years of experience in portfolio management, program management, project management, a related role, or a combination of.
Experience managing a portfolio of projects >$10M.
Experience managing complex ERP implementations, including end-to-end program oversight, budget governance, vendor management, and coordination across cross-functional teams.
Strong knowledge and understanding of program management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
Proven track record of successfully managing a portfolio of projects within budget.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse audiences.
Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
Proficiency in project management software and tools.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is preferred.
Professional certifications in program management or project management, such as PgMP or PMP, are desirable.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive project reporting and metrics framework to track and evaluate the financial performance of the portfolio.
Collaborate with Finance and other Department Leaders to establish budgetary objectives for the portfolio of projects.
Utilize financial forecasting techniques and tools to accurately predict project expenditures and identify potential budgetary risks.
Consolidate and analyze project spend across the portfolio, providing insights and recommendations to optimize resource allocation and cost management.
Establish and manage a system for assigning and tracking capital projects codes within the portfolio.
Collaborate closely with Finance teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to financial policies and procedures.
Conduct regular portfolio performance reviews with project managers and Finance teams to assess budgetary performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions.
Communicate project budget status, financial performance, and potential risks or issues to project managers, Finance, and other relevant stakeholders.
Continuously evaluate and enhance project budget management processes and tools to streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency.
Provide training, guidance, and support to project managers and other team members on project budget management best practices, financial reporting requirements, and the effective use of tools and systems.
Lead PMO oversight and financial governance for complex, multi-phase ERP implementations (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday, Microsoft Dynamics).
Manage program budgets, vendor contracts, and cross-functional workstreams, ensuring alignment between IT delivery, Finance, and business stakeholders.
Maintain appropriate governance structures including steering committee reporting, change management coordination, integration cost tracking, and post-go-live financial reconciliation.