Manager, IT PMO

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Manager, IT PMO based in the United States. The Manager, IT Project Management Office (PMO) will lead the delivery of enterprise technology and business initiatives, ensuring projects are completed efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with strategic objectives. This leadership role oversees a team of Portfolio and Project Managers responsible for Agile business enhancements and complex, large-scale programs involving internal teams and external vendors. You will drive portfolio governance, cross-functional prioritization, financial planning, and performance reporting while partnering with senior business and technology leaders. The role combines people leadership with strategic oversight of budgets, vendor spending, resource allocation, and investment decisions. You will strengthen project management standards, promote continuous improvement, and use data-driven insights to optimize delivery quality and measurable business outcomes. This is an opportunity to shape enterprise-wide project execution within a fast-paced technology environment while building a high-performing team focused on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence. Accountabilities: • Lead, manage, and develop a team of Portfolio and Project Managers, including hiring, coaching, performance management, professional development, compensation, and team growth. • Establish, maintain, and enforce project and portfolio management methodologies, governance frameworks, reporting standards, and communication practices in collaboration with the central IT PMO. • Drive continuous improvement across project delivery, operational efficiency, organizational effectiveness, and portfolio management practices. • Ensure consistent project execution, governance, reporting, and delivery quality across portfolios while supporting broader IT PMO strategic objectives. • Lead cross-portfolio planning, dependency management, resource allocation, and prioritization to align initiatives with enterprise strategy and business goals. • Facilitate governance boards, portfolio review committees, and executive steering committees to evaluate initiatives, resolve competing priorities, and support investment decisions. • Partner with business and technology leaders to align delivery roadmaps, address resource conflicts, and ensure initiatives contribute to measurable business outcomes. • Build strong relationships with executive stakeholders and serve as a trusted advisor on portfolio health, project delivery, financial performance, risks, and strategic investments. • Develop and monitor key portfolio, operational, financial, and delivery performance metrics, providing transparent reporting on progress, risks, dependencies, budgets, and strategic objectives. • Manage portfolio financial planning, including annual budgets, Annual Operating Plan (AOP) development, forecasting, spending oversight, and variance analysis. • Oversee vendor spending, invoice accuracy, contract compliance, cost optimization, and third-party performance in partnership with Finance and Procurement. • Support budgeting cycles, investment planning, business case development, and compliance with financial controls, procurement policies, governance requirements, and project funding standards. • Identify, escalate, and resolve cross-functional risks, issues, and dependencies that could affect strategic initiatives or delivery timelines. • Develop executive dashboards, portfolio reports, return-on-investment (ROI) analyses, and funding recommendations to inform leadership decisions. • Support vendor evaluations, contract renewals, negotiations, and performance reviews, as well as organizational change management and executive communications. • Take direct responsibility for project or portfolio management when needed and oversee strategic or special initiatives as assigned. Requirements: • At least 12 years of experience in project management, portfolio management, PMO leadership, or related management roles. • A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. • Demonstrated experience leading project and portfolio delivery, managing operational and project budgets, and developing annual operating plans, forecasts, and investment roadmaps. • Strong understanding of project financial management, resource planning, portfolio governance, investment prioritization, and business process optimization. • Proven ability to lead cross-functional and cross-portfolio prioritization within a complex enterprise environment. • Experience managing vendor relationships, third-party spending, contract-related activities, and cost optimization. • Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and investment planning capabilities, with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations. • Demonstrated success influencing and aligning executive stakeholders across business and technology functions, including collaboration with Finance, Procurement, and senior leadership. • Excellent leadership and people management skills, including the ability to motivate, coach, develop, and retain high-performing teams. Five or more years of direct people management experience is preferred. • Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus-building skills. • Proven ability to analyze, document, and improve business processes while driving consistency, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across portfolios. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project Web, Smartsheet, and related project and portfolio management tools. • Preferred certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), or an equivalent certification. • Experience leading enterp