Portfolio Manager - Strategic Initiatives

You could be the one who changes everything for our 28 million members. Centene is transforming the health of our communities, one person at a time. As a diversified, national organization, you’ll have access to competitive benefits including a fresh perspective on workplace flexibility.
 

Position Purpose

The Portfolio Manager supports a matrixed program and portfolio management (PPM) environment by partnering with Portfolio Leads and cross-functional teams to guide execution and reporting across a set of strategic initiatives. This role is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing program and project information to support governance, decision-making, and overall portfolio transparency. The Portfolio Manager also plays a critical role in maintaining strong relationships across teams and ensuring timely escalation of issues or barriers to progress.

In this Portfolio Manager role, you will:

• Aggregate and analyze information from initiatives to support portfolio-level tracking, performance measurement, and progress monitoring.
• Collaborate with Portfolio Leads, Program Managers, and business stakeholders on portfolio management practices and documentation.
• Prepare high-quality reporting materials for senior leaders, governance forums, and cross-functional reviews.
• Maintain tools, templates, and guidance that support effective portfolio management.
• Participate in or lead cross-functional workgroups to evolve governance processes and improve portfolio operations.
• Serve as a connector across delivery teams and leadership, building strong relationships and ensuring timely communication and escalation of key issues.
• Research and apply portfolio management best practices to enhance internal standards and frameworks.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This role provides the opportunity to:

• Partner directly with executive and senior leaders on high-impact initiatives.
• Shape and support how strategic work is governed, tracked, and communicated.
• Build trusted relationships across business units, delivery teams, and leadership.
• Gain visibility into enterprise-level priorities and execution.
• Join a collaborative, improvement-oriented team that values clarity, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Help refine and implement portfolio tools and processes in a growing and evolving organization.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Information Systems, Data Analytics or Finance or equivalent experience is required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project and program management is required.
• Analytical skills, including Data Sciences and Business Intelligence Reporting is required.
• Some experience functioning as a lead is required.

License/Certification: A certification in one of the following is preferred: PfMP, CAPM, PMP, CGEIT, CISA, Data Sciences Certification

Preferred Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in project, program, or portfolio management, including exposure to enterprise reporting and coordination.
• Prior experience working in matrixed or cross-functional environments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize information and develop actionable insights.
• Smartsheet Core Product Certification preferred.
• Proficiency with collaborative work management platforms (e.g., Smartsheet or similar).
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills, including preparation of executive-ready deliverables.
• Highly organized and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated independent judgment and follow-through on escalations.

Applicants for this job have the flexibility to work remote from home anywhere in the Continental United States.

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules.  Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status.  Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act