Portfolio Lead North America

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital - a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

Grade: F

Reporting to the Head of Portfolio and Project Management, the Portfolio Lead - North America is responsible for managing the North American Division's portfolio (i.e. Value Stream(s) of projects and enhancements) and providing a comprehensive view of all deliveries to their business leader and various delivery leaders.

This role requires a combination of project management and business skills, with a strong emphasis on coordinating multiple concurrent projects and enhancements effectively. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining the annual delivery plan and a multi-year delivery roadmap for supported projects. Additionally, the role involves managing project plans, business expectations, steering committees, budgets, risks, and issues, as well as overseeing all project governance mechanisms. Strong knowledge of the North American business goals and objectives is critical to success.

The Portfolio Lead - North America must excel at leading in a matrixed environment, working with Value Stream delivery teams across the Application Delivery, Data & Analytics, and COE organizations. This role also involves direct engagement with senior business leaders to ideate new initiatives and formulate projects.

Drive and guide portfolio strategy in collaboration with Business Leaders and Product Owners, and ensure alignment with business objectives

• Allocate funding to Value Streams and related projects/epics based on business priorities, and prioritize Value Stream initiatives at the portfolio level.
• Work with senior leaders to establish and define budgets based on all necessary resourcing to support a Value Stream across BTS, D&A, and from the business units directly.
• Participate in portfolio reviews to ensure work aligns with business objectives and delivers tangible business outcomes.
• Identify and track Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for Value Streams.

Project Planning, Coordination, and Execution

• Develop comprehensive project plans, establishing clear objectives, timelines, and key deliverables to ensure successful project execution.
• Assess and evaluate detailed plans for specific projects and enhancements, ensuring alignment with overall strategic goals.
• Lead the execution of project plans, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project scope and quality standards.
• Identify and manage interdependencies among projects to optimize resources and mitigate risks.
• Deliver consistent and clear updates on project progress, challenges, and achievements to stakeholders.
• Document all high-level project events and milestones within the North American portfolio.
• Oversee and manage the financial aspects of the project portfolio, ensuring budget adherence and efficient resource allocation.
• Identify potential project risks and develop strategies to address them, ensuring continuity and minimizing impact.

Communication, Team Building, and Methodology Development

• Effectively communicate project updates, decisions, and outcomes to project sponsors and team members, tailoring messages appropriately for executives and other stakeholders.
• Establish and refine program management practices and methodologies to achieve project goals and enhance the project management team's capabilities.
• Must lead in a matrix environment, forming cohesive delivery teams across the Application Delivery, Data & Analytics, and COE organizations.
• Provides technical leadership to teammates and applies advanced expertise to develop end to end solutions.

• Proactively address and resolve conflicts within and between project and enhancement teams to maintain a collaborative and productive working environment.
• Foster the growth and development of the matrixed project management team through training, mentoring, coaching, and feedback.

You may also be required to take on additional duties, responsibilities and activities appropriate to the nature of this role.

We encourage you to bring your own experience and expertise to the table, so while there are some qualifications and experiences, we need you to have, we are open to discussing how your individual knowledge might lend itself to fulfilling this role and help us achieve our goals.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma certifications, Agile delivery certifications (e.g. SAFe SPC, SAFe Lean Portfolio Management, PMI-ACP) , or other relevant certifications are advantageous.
• Proven experience in project management with a track record of successfully leading and delivering large-scale projects in a matrixed environment.
• Proven experience in the North American insurance industry preferred.

Critical competencies:

• Ability to think strategically and align project goals with the overall business objectives of the North American Division.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities, including strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and manage ambiguity.
• Keen attention to detail to ensure project plans and deliverables are accurately developed and maintained.
• Strong collaborative skills to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to balance structure and flexibility, with a focus on results and accountability.
• Strong executive presence and credibility, with experience dealing with senior business leaders.
• Effective influencing, negotiating, and decision-making skills.
• Working knowledge of the US specialty industry.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software platforms.

In this role, you will typically be required to:

Embrace the hybrid culture offered at AXIS, you need to be in office 3 days per week.

Much of the work involves using computers for data entry, analysis, and communication. Comfort with prolonged screen time is necessary.

While much of the work may be desk-bound, there might be occasions requiring mobility within the office environment, such as attending meetings or accessing filing systems.

For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of XXX to XXX. Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location.

In addition, you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, you will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.

Where this role is based in the United States of America, this role is XXX for FLSA purposes.