Senior Specialist, Portfolio Program Management

National Student Clearinghouse•Herndon, VA

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Specialist, Portfolio Program Management plays a critical role in supporting the Clearinghouse’s strategic planning and enterprise portfolio management activities. This position works closely with the department leadership to help translate organizational strategy into actionable plans, monitor progress against strategic objectives, and support Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) processes. This individual will coordinate portfolio operations, manage and support enterprise-wide programs, and lead process improvement efforts that enhance operational efficiency. The role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and the ability to work collaboratively across the organization to ensure alignment, transparency, and disciplined execution. Currently, this is a remote-first position, and this position may be required to periodically work on-site at our office and the frequency would depend on the department/division's requirements. Therefore, candidates must either reside within a reasonable distance to commute to our office or be willing to travel to our office in Herndon, when required.

Requirements

Bachelors degree in business, technology, or related field. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered.
6 years of direct and relevant experience supporting or managing enterprise projects or programs within a matrixed organization.
Experience in portfolio management processes, project evaluation, governance, or related frameworks.
Experience with portfolio/project management tools and strong analytical skills.
Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, succinct insights for senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to manage multiple efforts simultaneously and prioritize among them.
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and work collaboratively across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience working in corporate strategy, strategic planning, or enterprise portfolio management.
Demonstrates the Clearinghouse’s core competencies: customer focus, optimizes work processes, communicates effectively, collaborates, and is open and authentic.
Must live within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA or in one of the Clearinghouse's approved States for hiring purposes.
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Must be at least 18 years old.

Nice To Haves

Intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Lean Portfolio Management certification.
Project Management Professional (PMP®), Program Management Professional (PgMP®), or SAFe certifications.
Experience with Clarity and Rally (or similar) portfolio/agile management tools.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate the Clearinghouse's core competencies: Customer Focus, Optimizes Work Processes, Collaborates, Communicates Effectively, and Be Open and Authentic .
Assist the department leadership in managing the enterprise portfolio and ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan.
Support governance activities for the portfolio lifecycle (intake, prioritization, planning, monitoring, reporting).
Prepare and maintain portfolio metrics, dashboards, and KPIs to provide transparency to leadership and stakeholders.
Provide training and presentations to staff on portfolio processes, tools, governance expectations, and best practices.
Assist in evaluating and optimizing portfolio management tools (e.g., Clarity, Rally), supporting staff in their effective use.
Help coordinate and facilitate portfolio events (e.g., Portfolio Alignment, quarterly planning, mid-quarter checkpoints).
Plan, organize, and support management of large-scale, enterprise-wide business or IT programs throughout their lifecycle.
Partner with product and technology teams to define scope, establish timelines, monitor delivery milestones, and ensure cross-functional alignment.
Track and report program progress, risks, and issues; escalate appropriately with recommended solutions.
Facilitate meetings with internal teams, external foundations, vendors, and other partners; communicate expectations, drive decisions, and maintain alignment on success criteria.
Support budget tracking, resource coordination, and stakeholder communications for assigned programs.
Conduct assessments of existing business processes, workflows, and operating procedures to identify efficiency opportunities.
Collect, analyze, and synthesize data that informs process optimization and operational improvements.
Partner with stakeholders to design and implement improved processes, templates, and systems.
Develop and measure indicators to assess the impact of process improvements and support data-driven decision-making.
Create and maintain detailed operational documentation, process maps, and procedure manuals; ensure documents remain updated and accessible.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence across the Clearinghouse.
Position may be required to perform other duties as required.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance benefits
Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts
Health savings account with annual employer contributions
Voluntary supplemental health plans for Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
Infertility coverage
401k matching contribution program with the opportunity to defer pre-tax and Roth contributions, as well as catch-up contributions
Competitive paid leave program consisting of vacation, sick, and personal time
Paid holidays
Up to 3 weeks of paid parental leave during a 12-month period
Up to 5 days of paid military leave per calendar year
Option to get reimbursed for basic wholesale company and roadside assistance memberships
Option to request a buy back on portions of unused accrued vacation
Employee Education Assistance Program
LinkedIn Learning subscription
Mental health support with up to eight free therapy sessions for employees and their family members
Well-being reward benefits
Eligibility for service credit towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF)