We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning.

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

Ascend Learning leads the way in innovation and solution creation to improve outcomes and deliver results for students, educators, and healthcare workers in the ever-changing field of healthcare. We offer advanced resources that drive nursing success, empower front-line certified allied health workers, help physicians pass boards and stay current, and provide education management tools for medical education programs.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Director Portfolio Management role is critical to operationalizing our newly established Ascend-wide product management process and governance committees, and equipping our Chief Product Officer, Chief Technology Officer and our product lifecycle teams with relevant, objective, actionable data analyses and insights to make informed product and project portfolio decisions. The director oversees Portfolio Financial Managers and Analysts, providing guidance on portfolio data collection and analyses for governance body consumption.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Burlington, MA or Leawood, KS office location.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

Work with governance committees to support data-driven decision-making and establish enterprise priorities. With a deep understanding of the product and project portfolio, critically analyze product performance and proposed investments to form insights and recommendations. Collaborate with committee chairs to prepare meeting agendas and provide insights and analytical views (to tell the story) for decision-making. Ensure that committee decisions are effectively communicated and followed through.
Oversee development of tool for warehousing data and producing views to stand up this critical function, supporting and driving a significant amount of product and project data collection, establishing a process to maintain this data.
Evaluate project proposals and business cases to determine their feasibility, alignment with strategic objectives and potential return on investment; constructively challenge assumptions put forth by business leaders.
Identify and assess risks associated with the portfolio of projects. Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to minimize potential disruptions and ensure successful project delivery.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track the progress and performance of products and projects within the portfolio.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the portfolio management function. Identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance project delivery methodologies, and optimize resource allocation.
Provide leadership and guidance to a team of portfolio managers and analysts. Foster a collaborative and high-performing culture, promoting professional development and knowledge sharing.
Collaborate with project managers and functional leaders to allocate resources effectively across PDT’s and products. Monitor resource utilization and identify opportunities for productivity gains and optimization.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Bachelor's degree in related fields, such as Business Administration, Business Analytics, Finance, or other areas.
Minimum 10+ years of experience in related roles.
Healthcare and/or education software and services experience is preferred.
Experience in data analysis and visualization tools and software such as SQL, statistical analysis software, and data visualization tools (e.g. Microsoft BI) is preferred.
Proven experience in analytical and strategic problem-solving managing data models and analysis making data-driven decisions; critical thinking skills to tell the story and make recommendations. Experience with this capability in product and portfolio management is strongly preferred.
Additional training or certifications in areas such as product management, strategic planning, leadership, or project management may enhance the candidate's qualifications.
Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills to effectively communicate data insights and influence portfolio decision making.
Exceptional business and financial acumen with ability to keep track of current market conditions and changes.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, adept at working across different functions; experience presenting to and interacting with senior leaders.

BENEFITS

Flexible and generous paid time off
Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
401(k) employer matching program
Parental leave
Wellness resources
Charitable matching program
Hybrid work
On-site workout facilities (Burlington MA, Leawood KS, Gilbert AZ)
Community outreach groups
Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued and be their authentic selves. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

About Ascend Learning

As a tech-enabled services company, Ascend Learning is a national leader in developing and delivering data-driven online educational content, software, assessments, analytics, and simulations serving institutions, students and employers across healthcare, fitness and wellness, public and workplace safety, skilled trades, insurance, financial services, cybersecurity, and higher education. We're committed to accelerating the learning pathways that can move people into careers where they have the knowledge and skills to have an impact and help change lives in the communities they serve. Headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America's 2023 Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

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