The Portfolio Execution function is responsible for strengthening how strategic initiatives are operationalized , tracked, and executed across Operations. The leader in this role will be responsible for building the CoE, including execution methodology, portfolio reporting, risk management, and ensuring business-IT coordination.
This leader will establish the standards and management frameworks that bring structure and visibility to Business Operations' portfolio of strategic initiatives. Through disciplined execution practices, executive-ready reporting, and proactive issue resolution, this role ensures Operations leadership has the insights needed to make timely, informed decisions and that strategic priorities translate into measurable outcomes.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Leads the Portfolio Execution team, translating strategic initiatives into clear execution methodology, standards, and management process frameworks for Business Operations. Ensures strategic objectives are translated into structured execution plans with defined workplans, workstream ownership, team assignments, RACI accountability, and performance metrics. Convenes cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment, drive progress, and resolve dependencies. Provides hands-on execution leadership for highest-priority or highest-risk initiatives.
Portfolio Performance Management, Executive Reporting, and Risk Management / Issue Resolution: Designs and maintains the Executive Operations Portfolio dashboards and reports, providing clear visibility into initiative health and risk exposure. Delivers executive-ready insights that connect project execution to business outcomes, OKRs, and enterprise priorities. Conducts portfolio-level analysis to identify trends and optimization opportunities. Supports Quarterly Business Reviews, Portfolio Review meetings, ELT meetings as required, and strategic planning with data, insights, and facilitation. Establishes early warning systems and leading indicators that identify risks before they escalate to drive to timely resolution of blockers and escalations through structured problem-solving.
Business-IT Integration & Translation: Serves as strategic liaison between Business Operations and Enterprise Information Technology (IT), ensuring IT delivery aligns to business priorities and technical execution translates into business outcomes. Partners with Tech Operations to jointly identify standards, reporting, and alignment with IT to deliver on core technology-enabled initiatives. Synthesizes technical status into business-focused reporting that enables executive decision-making. Facilitates business-IT alignment on priorities, sequencing, and resource allocation
Organizational Capability Building & Change Management: Develops training, playbooks, and self-service resources that build execution excellence across Business Operations. Conducts retrospectives and lessons-learned sessions. Provides execution and quality oversight of external consulting partners who are staffed on enterprise priority programs to ensure value delivery and alignment with BCBSA project execution standards. Fosters a culture of disciplined execution, transparency, and accountability.
People Leadership: Leads a team of business execution managers and subject matter experts to drive effective performance, foster professional growth, and create a positive work environment. Develops talent through coaching and mentoring. Builds team capability in strategic execution, performance management, business-IT integration, and stakeholder engagement.
The posting range for this position is:
140,560.47 - 190,086.68Required Education, Certifications and Experience:
Education:
- Required BS ; or equivalent experience
- Preferred MS or related advanced degree
Experience:
- Required 10+ Years progressive experience in leading strategy execution, program management or related fields within complex organizations
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Strategic & Business Acumen:
- Deep understanding of how to translate strategic objectives into executable work—including decomposition of goals, workstream design, and accountability frameworks
- Ability to see across organizational boundaries and identify dependencies, conflicts, and optimization opportunities
- Strategic thinking combined with operational pragmatism—knows when to design the perfect solution vs. when to ship the minimum viable process
- Understanding of Business Operations in healthcare/insurance context (national programs, government markets, inter-plan systems, regulatory environment)
- Financial acumen including budget management, forecasting, business case development
Execution & Performance Management:
- Proven ability to design and implement performance management systems (dashboards, scorecards, reporting cadences)
- Experience with portfolio management tools and methodologies (Workboard, Clarity, Smartsheet, PowerBI, etc.)
- Strong project and program management skills with ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives
- Risk management expertise—identifying, quantifying, mitigating, and escalating risks appropriately
- Process design and optimization skills—can diagnose execution breakdowns and design sustainable solutions
- Technology & Data:
- Comfort with technology concepts and ability to translate between technical and business language
- Experience working at the business-IT interface; understands how to ensure IT delivery serves business outcomes
- Data literacy—can interpret dashboards, analyze trends, and derive actionable insights
- Familiarity with enterprise tools (Microsoft 365, SharePoint, collaboration tools)
- Interest in AI/automation applications for execution and performance management
Leadership & Influence:
- Consultative skills and experience partnering with and influencing senior executives (VP, EVP, C-suite levels)
- Ability to operate with authority without formal authority—influences through expertise, relationships, and value delivery
- Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills across diverse functional areas and organizational levels
- Comfort navigating ambiguity, complexity, and organizational politics with professionalism and integrity
- Change leadership—can drive adoption of new ways of working with empathy and persistence
Communication & Facilitation:
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills—can distill complexity into clear, compelling narratives for executive audiences
- Executive presence and gravitas—comfort presenting to COO and senior leadership
- Strong facilitation skills—can lead productive meetings, drive decisions, and manage group dynamics
- Impactful storytelling—translates data and status into strategic insights and actionable recommendations
- Ability to adapt communication style to different audiences (technical teams, business owners, executive leaders)
Personal Attributes:
- Systems thinker who sees patterns, connections, and unintended consequences
- Intellectually curious with a continuous learning orientation
- Detail-oriented with strong follow-through while maintaining strategic perspective
- Comfortable with ambiguity and adept at applying novel solutions to complex problems
- High integrity, discretion, and judgment—handles sensitive information and difficult situations professionally
- Bias toward action—moves quickly from analysis to decision to implementation
- Collaborative team player who builds capability in others and shares credit generously
Certifications & Licenses
- Preferred: Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) - PMI
- Preferred: PgMP - Program Management Professional - PMI]
- Preferred: Certified Scrum Master - Scrum Alliance
- Preferred: Certified Change Management Professional - CCMP
#LI_HYBRID
The posted salary range is the lowest to highest salary we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the hiring range and this hiring range may also be modified in the future. A candidate’s position within the hiring range may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs. This job is also eligible for annual bonus incentive pay.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, 11 holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance, generous 401(k) matching, lifestyle spending account and many other benefits to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Skills Required
- 10+ years progressive experience in leading strategy execution, program management or related fields
- BS degree or equivalent experience
- MS or related advanced degree
- Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) - PMI
- PgMP - Program Management Professional - PMI
- Certified Scrum Master - Scrum Alliance
- Certified Change Management Professional - CCMP
What We Do
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index.
