IT Portfolio Manager

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard Business School (HBS) IT is a nimble, innovative, strategic partner who crafts, delivers and supports pioneering technology solutions that connect, enable and inspire the HBS community to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Visit our website for more information: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

This role offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of technological transformation, supporting Harvard Business School's mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world! Join us to lead, inspire, and pave the way for a harmonious alignment of Information Technology (IT) and business strategy, ensuring our projects shine and deliver unparalleled value. If you thrive in environments where collaboration meets innovation and are eager to make a substantial impact, we encourage you to apply!

As a valued member of the HBS IT’s Strategy, Academic and Research Technologies group this role will be a part of the Strategy, Planning, and Governance team. The IT Portfolio Manager will drive the strategic alignment of the IT portfolio with our overarching goals. This role is instrumental in shaping a balanced, value-driven IT portfolio while championing the adoption of advanced planning and portfolio management practices.

This includes overseeing capacity and resource planning activities to optimize organizational performance.

The ideal candidate is a proactive strategist with strong problem‑solving skills and a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Equipped with the ability to influence executive‑level decision‑making, this individual will ensure our IT portfolio achieves optimal value, aligns with strategic priorities, balances capacity against demand, and minimizes risks.

• Develop and implement processes and guidelines for evaluating and prioritizing HBS IT projects in alignment with the IT Strategic Plan.
• Lead quarterly portfolio planning and Project Review Board (PRB) meetings, ensuring adherence to IT portfolio governance standards.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including Business Relationship Managers (BRMs), Service Owners, and other functional managers overseeing demand to review new requests, assess project priority, and make go / no‑go recommendations to the IT Leadership team.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate portfolio dependencies, risks, and issues.
• Develop and manage comprehensive resource plans across organizational activities, optimize resource allocation, and address challenges.
• Foster alignment between IT strategic priorities, service plans, operational plans, and financial portfolios.
• Continuously optimize planning processes to ensure alignment and value creation within the Service Delivery Operating Model (SDOM).
• Provide transparent reporting and dashboards on portfolio status to enable informed decision‑making at the executive level.
• Partner with project and portfolio management tool owners to influence and prioritize tool enhancements.
• Collaborate with the Project and Portfolio Management Office stakeholders to define and refine processes that enhance program and project execution.
• Build trust and collaboration by being present on‑site and engaging directly with colleagues and various constituents.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

• Additional support outside of regularly scheduled hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holiday breaks, may occasionally be required.

• Minimum of five years’ post‑secondary education or relevant work experience.

The following are preferred:

• Relevant work experience in IT project or portfolio management, capacity planning, and resource optimization.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellen…