Senior Specialist, Portfolio Program Management

By joining the National Student Clearinghouse, you can be sure that the work you do now will help shape the future of education and the workforce in the U.S. As the trusted source for higher education data since 1993, the Clearinghouse is the leading provider of transcript and data exchange services, automated enrollment and degree verifications, learner insights and research, and compliance solutions for schools, businesses, and learners nationwide. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Clearinghouse works with nearly 3,600 postsecondary institutions to meet their compliance needs and with thousands of high schools and districts to provide continuing collegiate enrollment, progression, and completion statistics about their alumni. In addition, the Research Center publications inform policymakers and business leaders about student educational pathways. Using our unique combination of data, analytics, and software to drive our mission, security and privacy is paramount. Join us as we continue to invest in our talent and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data on behalf of all learners. About The Role The Senior Specialist, Portfolio Program Management plays a critical role in supporting the Clearinghouse’s strategic planning and enterprise portfolio management activities. This position works closely with the department leadership to help translate organizational strategy into actionable plans, monitor progress against strategic objectives, and support Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) processes. This individual will coordinate portfolio operations, manage and support enterprise-wide programs, and lead process improvement efforts that enhance operational efficiency. The role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and the ability to work collaboratively across the organization to ensure alignment, transparency, and disciplined execution. Currently, this is a remote-first position, and this position may be required to periodically work on-site at our office and the frequency would depend on the department/division's requirements. Therefore, candidates must either reside within a reasonable distance to commute to our office or be willing to travel to our office in Herndon, when required. How You Contribute • Demonstrate the Clearinghouse's core competencies: Customer Focus, Optimizes Work Processes, Collaborates, Communicates Effectively, and Be Open and Authentic. • Assist the department leadership in managing the enterprise portfolio and ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan. • Support governance activities for the portfolio lifecycle (intake, prioritization, planning, monitoring, reporting). • Prepare and maintain portfolio metrics, dashboards, and KPIs to provide transparency to leadership and stakeholders. • Provide training and presentations to staff on portfolio processes, tools, governance expectations, and best practices. • Assist in evaluating and optimizing portfolio management tools (e.g., Clarity, Rally), supporting staff in their effective use. • Help coordinate and facilitate portfolio events (e.g., Portfolio Alignment, quarterly planning, mid-quarter checkpoints). • Plan, organize, and support management of large-scale, enterprise-wide business or IT programs throughout their lifecycle. • Partner with product and technology teams to define scope, establish timelines, monitor delivery milestones, and ensure cross-functional alignment. • Track and report program progress, risks, and issues; escalate appropriately with recommended solutions. • Facilitate meetings with internal teams, external foundations, vendors, and other partners; communicate expectations, drive decisions, and maintain alignment on success criteria. • Support budget tracking, resource coordination, and stakeholder communications for assigned programs. • Conduct assessments of existing business processes, workflows, and operating procedures to identify efficiency opportunities. • Collect, analyze, and synthesize data that informs process optimization and operational improvements. • Partner with stakeholders to design and implement improved processes, templates, and systems. • Develop and measure indicators to assess the impact of process improvements and support data-driven decision-making. • Create and maintain detailed operational documentation, process maps, and procedure manuals; ensure documents remain updated and accessible. • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence across the Clearinghouse. Position may be required to perform other duties as required. These essential functions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. What You Bring To The Table • Bachelors degree in business, technology, or related field. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered. • 6 years of direct and relevant experience supporting or managing enterprise projects or programs within a matrixed organization. • Experience: • in portfolio management processes, project evaluation, governance, or related frameworks. • with portfolio/project management tools and strong analytical skills. • Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, succinct insights for senior leaders and cross-functional teams. • Excellent communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills. • Ability to manage multiple efforts simultaneously and prioritize among them. • Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and work collaboratively across diverse stakeholder groups. • Experience working in corporate strategy, strategic planning, or enterprise portfolio management. • Demonstrates the Clearinghouse’s core competencies: customer focus, optimizes work processes, communicates effectively, collaborates, and is open and authentic. • Must live within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA or in one of the Clearinghouse's approved States for hiring purposes. Refer to our HR Policies Page, located on our Careers site at https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/careers/human-resource-policies/, for more details. • Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We do not intend to sponsor external applicants for work visas, and may consider sponsorship only if no qualified candidates can be found who are authorized to work without sponsorship. • Must be at least 18 years old. Additional Desired Qualifications • Intellectual curiosity and a proactive approach to problem-solving. • Lean Portfolio Management certification. • Project Management Professional (PMP®), Program Management Professional (PgMP®), or SAFe certifications. • Experience with Clarity and Rally (or similar) portfolio/agile management tools. Physical Demands: • Use of a computer for 8 or more hours a day. • Use of a telephone and/or copy machine. • Frequently required to sit for 7 or more hours per day. • Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, and reach. • Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Benefits and Related Information The National Student Clearinghouse provides a robust benefit program designed to help meet the needs of each employee and their family, both now and in the future. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance benefits, for employees and their qualified dependents. Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts, as well as a health savings account with annual employer contributions of $300 for employees and $600 for employees who are enrolled with their spouse and/or dependents, voluntary supplemental health plans for Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage, and infertility coverage are options available for employees to set aside pre-taxe