Director, Project and Portfolio Management

ameritasexternal; Lincoln (NE); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Bonuses

Hybrid work

PTO

Health benefits

Well-being programs

Professional development

Volunteer time

Parental leave

Job summary

Ameritas seeks a senior leader to drive the enterprise project and portfolio management function, delivering disciplined execution and business excellence across the portfolio. The role oversees end-to-end delivery, resource planning, budgets, and vendor relationships while coaching teams to maturity and aligning initiatives with strategic priorities.

Hybrid work allowed, with in-office Lincoln, NE presence. You will partner with executives to prioritize programs and drive improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• MBA or similar advanced degree desired.
• 7-10 years of related experience required, including an understanding of project management principles.
• 4-7 years of supervisory, management, or leadership experience required.
• Consulting experience (engagement manager or similar) desired.
• Demonstrated record of achievement in strategy, transformation, operations, consulting, or business leadership roles, with exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and execution capabilities and a history of delivering significant business impact desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise project and portfolio management function, ensuring strong governance, execution discipline, and outcome delivery.
• Oversee end-to-end portfolio execution—delivering initiatives on scope, schedule, cost, and quality while aligning to strategic priorities.
• Optimize resource planning and capacity, aligning talent, skills, and demand across the portfolio.
• Design and implement effective team structures, ensuring clear accountability and balanced workload distribution.
• Monitor portfolio performance, proactively identifying risks and variances and driving timely resolution or escalation.
• Manage PMO and delivery budgets, including labor, vendors, and contractors, ensuring financial discipline and transparency.
• Oversee Project and Portfolio Management and business improvement specific vendor and partner relationships to ensure alignment, performance, and value realization.
• Partner with enterprise and business leaders to prioritize initiatives and position programs for successful execution.
• Drive continuous improvement of delivery capabilities, tools, and practices to enhance organizational effectiveness and maturity.
• Identify, prioritize, and execute high-impact process improvement opportunities that advance strategic objectives, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Analyze end-to-end workflows, leverage data and root-cause analysis, and quantify financial impact to drive informed decision-making and measurable business outcomes.
• Lead improvement initiatives from assessment through implementation and sustainment while building organizational capability through coaching, training and continuous improvement practices.

Skills

Governance & delivery

Resource planning

Leadership

Portfolio execution

Vendor management

Data-driven decisions

Strategic alignment

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA desired

Tools

PMO tools

Job description

This role drives enterprise results by leading the project and portfolio management function and advancing organizational business excellence capabilities. It provides enterprise-wide leadership across portfolio delivery, ensuring disciplined execution while evolving the team into a consultative, problem-solving partner to the business. The focus is on operational rigor, consistent delivery, and alignment to dynamic strategic priorities.

This is a hybrid role working partially in-office (Lincoln, NE) and partially from home.

What you do

• Lead the enterprise project and portfolio management function, ensuring strong governance, execution discipline, and outcome delivery.
• Oversee end-to-end portfolio execution—delivering initiatives on scope, schedule, cost, and quality while aligning to strategic priorities.
• Optimize resource planning and capacity, aligning talent, skills, and demand across the portfolio.
• Design and implement effective team structures, ensuring clear accountability and balanced workload distribution.
• Monitor portfolio performance, proactively identifying risks and variances and driving timely resolution or escalation.
• Manage PMO and delivery budgets, including labor, vendors, and contractors, ensuring financial discipline and transparency.
• Oversee Project and Portfolio Management and business improvement specific vendor and partner relationships to ensure alignment, performance, and value realization.
• Partner with enterprise and business leaders to prioritize initiatives and position programs for successful execution.
• Drive continuous improvement of delivery capabilities, tools, and practices to enhance organizational effectiveness and maturity.
• Identify, prioritize, and execute high-impact process improvement opportunities that advance strategic objectives, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Analyze end-to-end workflows, leverage data and root-cause analysis, and quantify financial impact to drive informed decision-making and measurable business outcomes.
• Lead improvement initiatives from assessment through implementation and sustainment while building organizational capability through coaching, training and continuous improvement practices.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• MBA or similar advanced degree desired.
• 7-10 years of related experience required, including an understanding of project management principles.
• 4-7 years of supervisory, management, or leadership experience required.
• Consulting experience (engagement manager or similar) desired.
• Demonstrated record of achievement in strategy, transformation, operations, consulting, or business leadership roles, with exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and execution capabilities and a history of delivering significant business impact desired.

What we offer

A meaningful mission. Great benefits. A vibrant culture

Ameritas is an insurance, financial services and employee benefits provider Our purpose is fulfilling life. It means helping all kinds of people, at every age and stage, get more out of life.

At Ameritas, you’ll find energizing work challenges. Flexible hybrid work options. Time for family and community. But dig deeper. Benefits at Ameritas cover things you expect -- and things you don’t:

Ameritas Benefits

For your money

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match and quarterly contribution.
• Tuition Reimbursement and Assistance.
• Incentive Program Bonuses.
• Competitive Pay.

For your time

• Flexible Hybrid work.
• Thrive Days - Personal time off.
• Paid time off (PTO).

For your health and well-being

• Health Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution.
• Well-being programs with financial rewards.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

For your professional growth

• Professional development programs.
• Leadership development programs.
• Employee resource groups.
• StrengthsFinder Program.

For your community

• Matching donations program.
• Paid volunteer time– 8 hours per month.

For your family

• Generous paid maternity leave and paternity leave.
• Fertility, surrogacy, and adoption assistance.
• Backup child, elder and pet care support.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Ameritas has a reputation as a company that cares, and because everyone should feel safe bringing their authentic, whole self to work, we’re committed to an inclusive culture and diverse workplace, enriched by our individual differences. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that hires based on qualifications, positive attitude and exemplary work ethic, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Deadline

This position will be open for a minimum of 3 business days or until filled.

This position is not open to individuals who are temporarily authorized to work in the U.S.