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The Senior Director, IT Portfolio Manager is responsible for all aspects of the division’s information technology strategy and associated systems. This includes the direct management of dedicated delivery resources as well as oversight of all aspects of technology support and operations pertaining to the division business functions. This role drives overall technology strategy and directs the planning and implementation of technology related business solutions in support of business application in order to improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and business development.
The Senior Director, IT Portfolio Manager will oversee the strategic planning, execution, and governance of the project portfolio for the Core Technology Services (CTS) organization. Reporting directly to the CTO, this role ensures that CTS initiatives align with organizational priorities, optimizes resource allocation, and delivers business value through disciplined portfolio management. The role is responsible for efficiently delivering key initiatives and maintaining transparent communication across all organizational levels, including executive leadership. The Senior Director, IT Portfolio Manager will lead the strategic planning, execution oversight, and governance of the project portfolio for the Core Technology Services (CTS) organization. This role is pivotal in ensuring that technology investments are aligned with enterprise priorities, delivered efficiently, and communicated transparently across all levels of the organization—including executive leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
Portfolio Leadership & Governance
- Lead the development and execution of the CTS portfolio strategy in alignment with business goals and the CTO's technology vision.
- Define and manage IT portfolio governance processes, standards, and metrics to ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability.
- Establish and maintain a centralized IT portfolio management function for CTS.
- Lead portfolio planning, prioritization, and resource alignment across Agile and Waterfall initiatives.
- Drive quarterly business reviews (QBRs), portfolio reviews, and executive reporting rhythms.
Executive Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with senior business and IT leaders to prioritize initiatives and align project investments with strategic objectives.
- Act as a liaison between executive leadership, technology teams, finance, and business units to drive portfolio transparency and value realization.
- Serve as a key liaison between CTS and business/IT executives.
- Deliver clear, concise updates on portfolio health, risks, and dependencies.
- Develop and execute a communications strategy for internal stakeholders and partners.
Methodology & Delivery Oversight
- Define and enforce consistent project delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid).
- Monitor and report on the health, performance, risks, and ROI of the IT project portfolio, ensuring that portfolio decisions are informed by data-driven insights and financial analysis, where appropriate.
- Partner with PMO and Agile CoEs to ensure delivery excellence and continuous improvement; l.ead continuous improvement initiatives in portfolio management practices, tools, and methodologies.
Team Leadership
- Manage a team of Project Managers, Release Train Engineers and Scrum Masters, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration, and innovation.
- Provide coaching, performance management, and career development support.
Strategic Alignment
- Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture, Finance, and Business Units to ensure portfolio investments support long-term business goals.
- Influence investment decisions through data-driven insights and scenario planning.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field required
- 15+ years of experience in IT, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles overseeing enterprise portfolios, programs, or PMOs; PMP. Agile and/or SAFe certifications a plus.
- IT portfolio, program, or project management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with C-level stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of Agile (SAFe preferred) and Waterfall methodologies.
- Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, software development, digital transformation, and enterprise architecture.
- Experience in a federated or matrixed global organization, preferably in insurance or financial services.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and change management skills.
- Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, analytical, organizational, communication and change management skills.
- Ability to travel 10-15% required
Preferred Qualifications
- PMP, SAFe, or similar certifications.
- Familiarity with tools like Jira Align, ServiceNow, or Clarity PPM.
- Experience managing portfolios in a hybrid delivery environment.
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-SY
US Work Authorization
US Work Authorization required. Markel does not provide visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.
Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory and investment operations around the world.
We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better
We enjoy the everyday | We think further
In keeping with the values of the Markel Style, we strive to support our employees in living their lives to the fullest at home and at work.
All full-time employees have the option to select from multiple health, dental and vision insurance plan options and optional life, disability, and AD&D insurance.
We also offer a 401(k) with employer match contributions, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, PTO, corporate holidays and floating holidays, parental leave.
Are you ready to play your part?
Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.
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Markel is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic. This includes race; color; sex; religion; creed; national origin or place of birth; ancestry; age; disability; affectional or sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; genetic information, sickle cell trait, or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait; refusal to submit to genetic tests or make genetic test results available; medical condition; citizenship status; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, or family responsibilities; military or veteran status, including unfavorable discharge from military service; personal appearance, height, or weight; matriculation or political affiliation; expunged juvenile records; arrest and court records where prohibited by applicable law; status as a victim of domestic or sexual violence; public assistance status; order of protection status; status as a smoker or nonsmoker; membership or activity in local commissions; the use or nonuse of lawful products off employer premises during non-work hours; declining to attend meetings or participate in communications about religious or political matters; or any other classification protected by applicable law.
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