Sr. Project & Portfolio Manager

Position Summary

The Sr Project & Portfolio Manager (PPM) will be responsible for building and leading the enterprise-level project and portfolio management capability within Vessco Water’s Technology Services organization. This leader will design and implement standard processes for intake, selection, prioritization, and execution of technology-related initiatives across a diverse portfolio of operating companies.

The PPM will ensure that projects are aligned to Vessco Water strategies, deliver measurable business value, and are executed efficiently and transparently. They will establish governance frameworks, reporting cadences, and communication methods to inform stakeholders, including executive leadership, platform partners, and group partners of project status, priorities, and outcomes.

This role requires a balance of strategic portfolio oversight and hands-on project management leadership, suitable for a fast-growing enterprise with multiple autonomous business units and a rapidly evolving technology landscape. This role will help the organization recognize and prioritize opportunities where a strategic PMO led approach can bring greater structure, efficiency, and value to project delivery.

Key Duties

Project and Portfolio Management Framework

• Establish and continuously improve a standardized project and portfolio management methodology for technology initiatives (intake, evaluation, prioritization, approval, execution, and closure).
• Develop and maintain a centralized project intake and tracking system (e.g., within Microsoft Power Platform, Smartsheet, or equivalent PPM tool).
• Define project classification tiers, governance checkpoints, and required documentation (e.g., business case, charter, risk register, stakeholder analysis).
• Ensure consistency and transparency in how projects are selected, funded, and measured.
  
  

Governance and Prioritization

• Partner with CIO and Technology Leadership Team to establish a Technology Project Review Board or equivalent governance committee.
• Facilitate portfolio-level discussions that balance strategic alignment, resource capacity, and financial impact.
• Maintain a rolling 12–24 month technology portfolio view with clear linkages to strategic initiatives (ERP consolidation, data platform, cybersecurity, infrastructure, etc.).
  
  

Project Execution Excellence

• Define and enforce project delivery standards (scope, schedule, cost, quality, and change management).
• Coach and mentor project leads and cross-functional teams on project management best practices (Agile, hybrid, or waterfall depending on initiative type).
• Identify and mitigate portfolio-level risks and interdependencies.
  
  

Value Measurement and Reporting

• Develop a framework for tracking business value realization (e.g., efficiency gains, cost avoidance, risk reduction, revenue enablement).
• Create dashboards and reports to communicate project health, resource utilization, and return on investment metrics.
• Establish KPIs for project management maturity, such as:
• % of projects delivered on time/on budget
• % of portfolio with quantified business outcomes
• Resource utilization rate
• Stakeholder satisfaction
  

Communication and Change Management

• Develop and execute an organization-wide communications plan to inform stakeholders on project intake status, approvals, progress, and outcomes.
• Serve as a primary liaison between Technology Services and business unit leaders for project updates, escalations, and feedback.
• Build a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the project management discipline.
  
  

Leadership and Collaboration

• Partner closely with Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Data & AI, and Applications teams to ensure cross-domain coordination.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business and functional leaders regarding project feasibility, prioritization, and execution.
• Where appropriate, manage vendor relationships that support project delivery (consultants, integrators, PMO tools).
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Indirect
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, or related field required
• 8 years of experience in project and portfolio management, preferably within a multi-entity or private-equity-backed enterprise.
• Demonstrated experience establishing or maturing a PMO or PPM function from the ground up.
• Strong familiarity with technology project types (ERP, data platforms, cybersecurity programs, infrastructure modernization, and business application rollouts).
• Experience with PPM tools (e.g., Microsoft Project Online, Smartsheet, Power BI, Jira, or similar).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA
• PMP certification
• Industry experience with water and wastewater equipment distribution
  
  

Physical Demands And Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.

Compensation: $155,000 - $188,900 base bonus (Dependent on experience & qualifications)

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Dog-friendly office
  
  

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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