Project Manager

Senior Program Manager – Portfolio & Financial Management

📍 Location: North Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

📅 Duration: 6 Months Contract (Potential Extension)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional technology portfolios within a highly matrixed enterprise environment. This role requires a strategic leader who can navigate organizational complexity, influence stakeholders across multiple business and technology functions, and drive portfolio execution from demand intake through delivery.

The ideal candidate will bring strong program and portfolio management expertise, proven financial management experience, and the ability to successfully lead initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and executive-level decision makers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide programs and portfolios across business and technology organizations.
• Manage demand intake processes, ensuring business cases meet governance and prioritization requirements.
• Partner with business leaders, IT leadership, and cross-functional teams to align technology initiatives with strategic business objectives.
• Drive portfolio governance, prioritization, risk management, and executive decision-making processes.
• Lead Change Control Boards (CCB) and manage scope, risks, dependencies, and portfolio impacts.
• Develop and maintain portfolio financial plans, budgets, forecasts, and investment tracking.
• Facilitate executive steering committee meetings, status reviews, and stakeholder communications.
• Drive accountability and execution across teams where resources may not report directly to the program.
• Ensure meeting documentation, action item tracking, and timely follow-up to drive successful outcomes.
• Identify risks proactively and implement mitigation strategies to minimize business impact.
• Operate independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, SDLC processes, data security standards, and regulated industry requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 8 years of Program Management or Portfolio Management experience.
• 4–5 years of Financial Management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and portfolio financial oversight.
• Proven experience managing enterprise programs in highly matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated success influencing stakeholders and driving outcomes without direct authority.
• Strong executive stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience with portfolio governance, demand management, and prioritization processes.
• Expertise in risk management, issue resolution, and change management.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive alignment among multiple decision makers.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across business and technology organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, Healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with GxP, compliance, data security, and SDLC governance frameworks.
• Experience managing large-scale technology transformation programs and enterprise portfolios.

What We're Looking For

This role is ideal for a strategic Program Manager who excels in complex matrix environments. Beyond strong project execution skills, we are looking for someone who can influence senior leaders, align diverse stakeholder groups, drive governance, and successfully deliver outcomes across a portfolio of initiatives.

If you thrive in environments with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and high visibility, we would love to hear from you.