Director, EPMO

Horizontal Talent; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent is seeking a Director, EPMO in Minneapolis to lead the Enterprise Program Management Office, guide governance, and coach a talented team through strategic initiatives in a hybrid work setting.

You will partner with senior leaders to align portfolios with priorities, establish standards, measure performance, and oversee budget, staffing, and delivery across programs, driving organizational maturity and accountability.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of project management experience across multiple phases and methodologies.
• At least 5 years of director-level leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Direct experience supervising staff in a Project Management Office environment.
• Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience working with project management office tools, standards, and governance practices.
• Ability to support complex initiatives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience and education.
• Comfort with occasional travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Enterprise Program Management Office and provide direction, coaching, and support to program and project management professionals.
• Partner with senior leaders and key stakeholders to align portfolio, program, and project work with organizational priorities.
• Establish and improve program management processes, governance standards, tools, and delivery frameworks across the organization.
• Define and track performance metrics and reporting practices to support visibility into program health, progress, and outcomes.
• Oversee the successful planning and execution of programs and projects, including scope, timelines, resources, risks, and budget considerations.
• Work with Finance and resource leaders to assess capacity, forecast demand, and support effective resource planning.
• Promote continuous improvement and help increase organizational maturity in project and portfolio management practices.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and ensure clear communication across teams, sponsors, and leadership.
• Lead department operations, including budgeting, administrative oversight, reporting, and coordination of key functions.
• Support team development through hiring, training, mentoring, and creating a culture of learning and accountability.

Skills

Director leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic alignment

Communication skills

Facilitation

Problem solving

Decision making

Budgeting

Mentoring & coaching

Cross-functional teamwork

Executive influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, information technology, or related field

Master’s degree

PMP/Agile/Lean/Six Sigma certifications

Job description

Lead a high-impact Enterprise Program Management Office and help guide the delivery of strategic initiatives that support a mission-driven organization. This hybrid Director, EPMO role in Minneapolis, MN offers the opportunity to shape program governance, strengthen delivery practices, and coach a talented team in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Enterprise Program Management Office and provide direction, coaching, and support to program and project management professionals.
• Partner with senior leaders and key stakeholders to align portfolio, program, and project work with organizational priorities.
• Establish and improve program management processes, governance standards, tools, and delivery frameworks across the organization.
• Define and track performance metrics and reporting practices to support visibility into program health, progress, and outcomes.
• Oversee the successful planning and execution of programs and projects, including scope, timelines, resources, risks, and budget considerations.
• Work with Finance and resource leaders to assess capacity, forecast demand, and support effective resource planning.
• Promote continuous improvement and help increase organizational maturity in project and portfolio management practices.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and ensure clear communication across teams, sponsors, and leadership.
• Lead department operations, including budgeting, administrative oversight, reporting, and coordination of key functions.
• Support team development through hiring, training, mentoring, and creating a culture of learning and accountability.

Skills

• 10–15 years of project management experience across multiple phases and methodologies.
• At least 5 years of director-level leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Direct experience supervising staff in a Project Management Office environment.
• Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Experience working with project management office tools, standards, and governance practices.
• Ability to support complex initiatives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience and education.
• Comfort with occasional travel as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Master’s degree.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Agile, Lean, or Six Sigma.
• Experience leading large, diverse, matrixed teams.
• Background working with executive leadership.
• Experience managing IT development and change management initiatives.