Portfolio Manager

The Portfolio Manager influences the delivery of product and technology programs at EquiTrust. This individual understands Portfolio Management, Agile best practices and has the ability to take complex problems and formulate compelling plans to drive solutions.  The role requires building strong relationships with stakeholders and serving as a single point of contact for senior leadership with accountability for portfolio delivery. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for Program Increment (PI) Planning for a portfolio above the Team/Sprint/Story Level. Facilitates PI planning at the portfolio level and ensures a PI plan is created to meet the needs of the business.
• Clearly communicates portfolio status to leadership as-needed. Tracks and reports key metrics to ensure appropriate resources are being applied and progress toward delivering on-time, with high-quality and within budget.
• Works with other Portfolio Managers to coordinate dependencies across teams to ensure successful delivery of initiatives. Identifies and works to resolve roadblocks that prevent initiatives from being delivered successfully.
• Partners with business and technology leaders to ensure work is prioritized properly for both corporate initiatives and resolving production issues. Works with scrum masters, leaders and team members to identify and remove barriers to successful delivery of projects.
• Utilizes Agile tools such as Jira to track team progress, productivity, and individual performance. Provides analysis using portfolio data to update leaders on relevant issues.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of a Portfolio Management framework including practices and methods to achieve superior and consistent results.
• Coaches teams and leaders to foster continuous improvement -  for example, proper use of agile methodology, and root cause analysis tools.
• Supports the Information Technology team and/or other departments on an as needed basis.
• Willingly takes on additional responsibilities as requested in order to accomplish department and company objectives.
• Actively participates and contributes to the goals and objectives of the Company by working collaboratively and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of agile values and principles
• Experience using agile tools such as JIRA to manage and monitor team progress
• Ability to present ideas clearly. In-person (when required), virtually, or in writing/presentations.
• Proven leadership and motivation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft suite products (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Ability to work well with team members to collaborate, cast vision and resolve challenges.
• Carries out responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with EquiTrust’s Core Values and focus on customer service; helps to create an environment of openness and trust for all employees and strives for continued professional skills development.

Training or Work Experience

• If Associate’s Degree, 6 or more years of business analysis and/or project management experience, at least two must be as a Scrum Master/Agile Project Manager, required.
• If Bachelor’s Degree, 4 or more years of business analysis and/or project management, at least two of which must be as a Scrum Master/Agile Project Manager required.
• Experience using Agile performance metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement required.
• Experience overseeing multi-function project teams that include Developers, Business Analysts, QA Personnel, and Product Owners required.
• Experience using Jira preferred.

Education:

• Associate’s Degree required.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid - West Des Moines, Iowa.
• Travel not likely/required.

#LI - TH1

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EquiTrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. Applicants have rights under federal and state employment laws. To learn more, visit https://www.equitrust.com/careers/opportunities/federal-and-state-employment-laws/.