Sr Portfolio Manager

Ascend Learning, LLC•Leawood, KS

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. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., 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. We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management, or a related field required.
12+ years of experience in portfolio management, program management, project management, a related role, or a combination of.
Experience managing a portfolio of projects.
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

Professional certifications in program management or project management, such as PgMP or PMP, are desirable.
Experience with merger and acquisition integrations preferred
Strong ERP and enterprise application experience preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive project reporting and metrics framework to track and evaluate the financial performance of the portfolio. This includes creating and maintaining project dashboards, reports, and metrics to effectively communicate project status, budget utilization, and overall portfolio health.
Collaborate with Finance and other Department Leaders to establish budgetary objectives for the portfolio of projects. Ensure that project budgets are aligned with organizational goals and actively managed throughout the project lifecycle.
Utilize financial forecasting techniques and tools to accurately predict project expenditures and identify potential budgetary risks. Continuously monitor and track project spend against budget, ensuring that any deviations are promptly addressed and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
Consolidate and analyze project spend across the portfolio, providing insights and recommendations to optimize resource allocation and cost management. Identify areas of potential cost savings or cost overruns and work with project managers to implement corrective actions.
Establish and manage a system for assigning and tracking capital projects codes within the portfolio. Ensure that all projects have proper coding in alignment with financial systems and reporting requirements.
Collaborate closely with Finance teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to financial policies and procedures. Provide necessary project data and insights to support financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
Conduct regular portfolio performance reviews with project managers and Finance teams to assess budgetary performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions. Present findings and recommendations to senior management for decision-making purposes.
Communicate project budget status, financial performance, and potential risks or issues to project managers, Finance, and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure that all stakeholders have timely and accurate information to make informed decisions.
Continuously evaluate and enhance project budget management processes and tools to streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. Identify opportunities for automation and implement solutions to optimize portfolio financial management practices.
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.