Director, Portfolio Management - Greif Packaging LLC

Greif is a leading supplier of industrial packaging products and services, growing from its beginnings in Cleveland, Ohio, to a global footprint across more than 30 countries and 200-plus locations.

OUR VISION:

Be the best performing customer service company in the world.

OUR PURPOSE:

We create packaging solutions for life’s essentials.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

At Greif, our bold vision is to become the best performing customer service company in the world. As the Director of Portfolio Management, you will be responsible for establishing and leading the portfolio management function within the EPMO, driving strategic transformation initiatives across the organization. This role requires building and training a high-performing team, implementing robust processes, and ensuring alignment of projects with strategic priorities. Building relationships with the business, raising new ideas, and helping to govern and prioritize the pipeline will be critical.

In this role, you will oversee the impact (on people, process, and technology) of end-to-end enterprise transformation and act as an enabler for business growth. This role is responsible for building business case for programs / projects / initiatives in coordination with business functional stakeholders and for identification and assessment of risks, implementing risk mitigation strategies and ensuring success of projects. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for carrying out effective change management and ensuring success of large-scale process transformation. A successful candidate will collaborate with senior leaders and stakeholders, manage the intake process, and ensure optimal resource allocation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning 

• Leverage data-driven strategies to collaborate with business leaders, driving transformative initiatives that unlock business value and ensure efficient resource prioritization. 
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors and partners, to support prioritization and execution of strategic initiatives. 
• Develop strategies and approaches for large-scale business transformations, efficiently addressing critical problems with appropriate solutions. 
• Coordinate with business stakeholders to build comprehensive business cases for multi-year, multi-workstream programs that enable business growth. 

Portfolio Management 

• Work alongside the PMO team and business leadership to design and implement innovative, agile project management practices that support the successful execution of the business transformation agenda. 
• Manage project portfolio demand and align project priorities, forming teams with the right mix of skills and experience. 
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations for status updates, decision support, and periodic reviews. 
• Track and monitor the progress of strategic projects/initiatives by establishing and analyzing key performance metrics. 

Risk Management 

• Identify and assess risks associated with large-scale transformation efforts. 
• Develop the strategy and define governance processes to mitigate risks and ensure the success of programs and initiatives. 

Communication and Change Management 

• Maintain strong relationships with global and local senior management and teams, effectively communicating and collaborating to assess business requirements and identify solutions. 
• Influence stakeholders to secure buy-in and facilitate the implementation of recommendations. 

Portfolio Optimization 

• Continuously evaluate the performance and health of the project portfolio to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and optimal resource utilization. 
• Recommend and implement changes to the portfolio to improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and maximize value. 

Financial Management 

• Oversee the budgeting process for the portfolio, ensuring accurate forecasting, tracking, and reporting of financial performance. 
• Manage the allocation of financial resources across projects, ensuring that investments are aligned with strategic priorities and deliver maximum ROI. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Act as a liaison between the EPMO and business units, ensuring clear communication and understanding of portfolio objectives and progress. 
• Facilitate regular meetings with stakeholders to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure alignment with business goals. 

Governance and Compliance 

• Establish and enforce governance frameworks and standards for portfolio management, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations. 
• Monitor and report on adherence to governance standards, making recommendations for improvements as needed. 

Continuous Improvement 

• Lead efforts to continuously improve portfolio management processes, tools, and methodologies, staying abreast of industry best practices and innovations. 
• Develop and implement training programs for team members and stakeholders to enhance portfolio management capabilities. 

Technology and Tools Management 

• Evaluate and select portfolio management tools and technologies to support efficient portfolio oversight and reporting. 
• Ensure proper implementation, integration, and utilization of tools across the organization. 
• Keeps abreast of changes and trends in talent and makes meaningful recommendations for improvements that will positively impact the organization and drive business outcomes.
• Develops and maintains schedule and timeline of key talent management and company program initiatives.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organization Development, Industrial Organizational Bachelor's or master’s degree in business, Management, Technology, or a related field. 
• 12+ years of experience in a Senior Manager/Director role in a large, complex organization, leading digital and information services initiatives. 
• Proven track record in leading and delivering digital business strategy initiatives, from planning to operational implementation. 
• Experience in the manufacturing industry, with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector, is preferred. 
• Extensive experience in project and program management, including managing complex, cross-functional projects. 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with experience in developing and mentoring high-performing teams. 
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, capable of making data-driven decisions and developing actionable insights. 
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, able to simplify complex ideas and present them effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership. 
• Proficiency in executive-level communication and presentation, with the ability to distill complex information into key points and communicate concisely. 
• Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives, to gain buy-in and support for portfolio initiatives. 
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. 

Technical Skills: 

• Familiarity with portfolio management tools and technologies, such as PPM software, and the ability to leverage these tools for portfolio optimization and reporting. 
• Knowledge of agile methodologies and their application in large-scale transformation projects. 

Certifications: 

• Relevant certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), PgMP (Program Management Professional), PfMP (Portfolio Management Professional), or equivalent are preferred. 

At Greif, your work has purpose, colleagues care about your well-being, and you have the opportunity to grow and thrive. Service and leadership are the core of everything we do. Our global presence provides us a platform to do good in the world.