Job SummaryThe Portfolio Manager is responsible for the integrated oversight and delivery health of a defined portfolio of studies, ensuring consistency, quality, and operational alignment across projects. This role provides portfolio-level governance, performance visibility, and risk management, identifying systemic issues and driving corrective actions to protect delivery outcomes.
The Portfolio Manager leads portfolio-level client governance, consolidating performance insights, trends, and risks across studies. Acting as the primary escalation point for cross-study issues, the Portfolio Manager ensures effective coordination between Project Managers, functional leaders, and client stakeholders to maintain delivery stability and predictability.
This role operates within a defined governance model that distinguishes execution ownership (Project Manager), portfolio delivery control (Portfolio Manager), and strategic partnership ownership (Alliance Manager).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Ensure alignment, communication, and consistency across all active and upcoming studies associated with assigned client portfolios.
- Develop and maintain portfolio level tools, templates, dashboards, communication plans, and governance materials.
- Track and analyze service delivery of KPIs, identify trends, and collaborate with leadership on improvement plans.
- Lead regularly scheduled governance meetings with clients to review program plans, KPIs, risks, and opportunities for improvement and growth.
- Monitor quality, timelines, risks, dependencies, and resources across each portfolio.
- Oversee communication pathways across internal teams, clients, and external partners to ensure clarity and continuity.
- Facilitate proactive identification and resolution of portfolio wide risks, challenges, or recurring issues.
- Manage pathways for issue escalation between client stakeholders, study teams, and internal leaders.
- Partner with business development from bid defense through long-term account strategy, ensuring client needs are met.
- Establish trusted relationships with client decision makers as a senior operational and strategic point of contact.
- Support unique client requests by championing and developing cross-functional service solutions with operational leaders.
- Represent the organization at client and/or investigator meetings, including periodic client visits.
- Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and coaching to project teams delivering within the portfolio.
- Translate novel client or study requirements into creative, scalable operational solutions.
- Offer performance feedback to functional leads and operational team members to support continuous improvement.
- Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned.
Education and Experience- Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) from a four-year college or university required.
- Minimum of three years of experience in clinical research, central laboratory operations, portfolio/program management, or related field required.
- Experience in customer service and client relationship management is required.
- Experience interpreting KPIs and operational performance data preferred.
Skills and Ability- Strong ability to interpret technical procedures, regulations, and clinical trial requirements.
- Ability to write reports and present information clearly to clients and internal leadership.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to calculate and interpret operational metrics.
- Ability to manage complex problems in dynamic, multi-study environments.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project).
- Excellent organization, communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.
- Strong stress management skills and ability to perform under pressure.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the occupant is regularly required to:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Prolonged use of computer and headphones for conference calls.
- Communicate effectively via phone, video, and email.
- Use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%
Some of the Perks our LabConnectors Love:- Financial Security (Base Pay, 401k Match and Possible Annual Bonus Eligibility)
- Health Benefits beginning on date of hire
- PTO plan, plus 11 Paid Company Holidays, and 1 Day to Volunteer in your community
- Short and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D
- We celebrate our differences, which enriches our culture!
In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with career growth opportunities, globally. We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication. While living out our values of
People First, Quality Focused, Customer Centered, Technology Driven, and
Accountability Always.
