Portfolio Manager

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.  

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.  

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.  

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a PMO Portfolio Manager, you will be responsible for providing the project reporting and metrics to ensure your portfolio of projects is meeting financial objectives. This will be achieved by forecasting, tracking and reporting aggregate project spend in the portfolio, including the provisioning and management of all capital project codes in the portfolio. You will work closely with project managers, Finance and other Department Leaders to ensure the portfolio project budget is actively managed. The enterprise PMO is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of end-to-end project management within the organization including Corporate, M&A, Content, Product and Technology projects. This represents a total portfolio of projects that invests more than $50M in capital annually across Ascend.

A critical component of this role includes providing PMO oversight and financial governance for a complex ERP implementation, ensuring this high-visibility program is delivered on time and within budget.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule out of our Leawood, KS office location preferred and remote candidates will be considered within the United States.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Project Financial Reporting and Metrics: Develop and implement a comprehensive project reporting and metrics framework to track and evaluate the financial performance of the portfolio. This includes creating and maintaining project dashboards, reports, and metrics to effectively communicate project status, budget utilization, and overall portfolio health.
• Achieve Budgetary Objectives: Collaborate with Finance and other Department Leaders to establish budgetary objectives for the portfolio of projects. Ensure that project budgets are aligned with organizational goals and actively managed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Forecasting and Tracking: Utilize financial forecasting techniques and tools to accurately predict project expenditures and identify potential budgetary risks. Continuously monitor and track project spend against budget, ensuring that any deviations are promptly addressed and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Manage Aggregate Project Spend: Consolidate and analyze project spend across the portfolio, providing insights and recommendations to optimize resource allocation and cost management. Identify areas of potential cost savings or cost overruns and work with project managers to implement corrective actions.
• Capital Projects Codes: Establish and manage a system for assigning and tracking capital projects codes within the portfolio. Ensure that all projects have proper coding in alignment with financial systems and reporting requirements.
• Financial Management Collaboration: Collaborate closely with Finance teams to ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to financial policies and procedures. Provide necessary project data and insights to support financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Portfolio Performance Review: Conduct regular portfolio performance reviews with project managers and Finance teams to assess budgetary performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions. Present findings and recommendations to senior management for decision-making purposes.
• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate project budget status, financial performance, and potential risks or issues to project managers, Finance, and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure that all stakeholders have timely and accurate information to make informed decisions.
• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and enhance project budget management processes and tools to streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and increase efficiency. Identify opportunities for automation and implement solutions to optimize portfolio financial management practices.
• Training and Support: Provide training, guidance, and support to project managers and other team members on project budget management best practices, financial reporting requirements, and the effective use of tools and systems.
• ERP Implementation Management: Lead PMO oversight and financial governance for complex, multi-phase ERP implementations (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday, Microsoft Dynamics). Manage program budgets, vendor contracts, and cross-functional workstreams, ensuring alignment between IT delivery, Finance, and business stakeholders. Maintain appropriate governance structures including steering committee reporting, change management coordination, integration cost tracking, and post-go-live financial reconciliation.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management, or a related field required. A master’s degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in portfolio management, program management, project management, a related role, or a combination of.
• Experience managing a portfolio of projects >$10M.
• Experience managing complex ERP implementations, including end-to-end program oversight, budget governance, vendor management, and coordination across cross-functional teams.
• Professional certifications in program management or project management, such as PgMP or PMP, are desirable.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of program management principles, methodologies, and best practices.
• Proven track record of successfully managing a portfolio of projects within budget.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.

BENEFITS 

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging 

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.  

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.