PPM Portfolio Operations Team Lead (PL)
Your Opportunity
Your opportunity
At Schwab, you’re empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together. We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s).
The Portfolio Operations team is a pillar of the Value Delivery & Governance function, working in tight partnership with the VMO and Portfolio Governance, Standards & Data teams. Together, these three teams shape the practices, data, standards, and value models that form the enterprise Portfolio Operating Model.
About the Role
The Portfolio Operations Team Leader is responsible for the maturity, consistency, and sustainment of Lean‑Agile Portfolio practices across the enterprise. This leader owns workflow design, process mapping, user experience, community of practice development, and operational support needed to ensure teams operate within a scalable, intuitive, and transparent operating model.
The role works jointly with VMO and Governance/Data team leaders, as well as the Agile Transformation Office, to ensure standards, value frameworks, data structures, and operating model processes are fully integrated.
What you have
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead and develop a high‑performing team of Portfolio Operations specialists.
- Create role clarity, career paths, performance expectations, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Portfolio Operations Practice Maturity & Sustainment
- Own the maturity roadmap for portfolio processes, operating model adoption, and practice standardization.
- Co‑design operating model practices with the Governance & Data and VMO teams to ensure consistency and alignment.
- Develop and sustain portfolio playbooks, Communities of Practice, templates, and standard processes.
Process Design, Mapping & Knowledge Management
- Define and maintain the Lean‑Agile portfolio processes that connect strategy to execution.
- Ensure all processes incorporate the right standards (Governance), the right data structures (Data), and the right value checkpoints (VMO).
- Maintain a version‑controlled repository of operational documentation, process maps, SOPs, and RACIs.
User Experience & Operational Support
- Improve user experience across portfolio platforms and workflows via clear documentation, intuitive processes, and streamlined guidance.
- Partner with Governance/Data on training content and compliance‑aligned documentation.
- Provide high‑quality support channels for portfolio teams, ensuring timely answers and effective solutions.
Training, Enablement & Change Leadership (Co‑Owned Across All Three Teams)
- Develop and execute role‑based training programs, onboarding pathways, and learning content.
- Lead communication and change activities for new processes, standards, and tooling updates.
Performance Insights & Continuous Improvement
- Produce dashboards, insights, and operational metrics that guide leadership decision‑making.
- Use data in partnership with Governance/Data and the VMO to drive continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- 8–10+ years in Portfolio/Program/PMO roles, including 2–4+ years as a team leader.
- Expertise in Lean‑Agile portfolio practices, process governance, and workflow design.
- Strong people‑leadership and coaching capabilities.
- Proficiency with portfolio tools (Jira, Clarity, Rally, Smartsheet, SharePoint).
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- SAFe LPM or similar certification.
- Experience in regulated environments.
- Experience driving practice‑building or organizational transformation.
In addition to the salary range, this role is also eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.
What’s in it for you
At Schwab, you’re empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration—so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.
We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you – both today and in the future:
- 401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan
- Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28-day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions
- Paid parental leave and family building benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
What you are good at
What you have
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead and develop a high‑performing team of Portfolio Operations specialists.
- Create role clarity, career paths, performance expectations, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Portfolio Operations Practice Maturity & Sustainment
- Own the maturity roadmap for portfolio processes, operating model adoption, and practice standardization.
- Co‑design operating model practices with the Governance & Data and VMO teams to ensure consistency and alignment.
- Develop and sustain portfolio playbooks, Communities of Practice, templates, and standard processes.
Process Design, Mapping & Knowledge Management
- Define and maintain the Lean‑Agile portfolio processes that connect strategy to execution.
- Ensure all processes incorporate the right standards (Governance), the right data structures (Data), and the right value checkpoints (VMO).
- Maintain a version‑controlled repository of operational documentation, process maps, SOPs, and RACIs.
User Experience & Operational Support
- Improve user experience across portfolio platforms and workflows via clear documentation, intuitive processes, and streamlined guidance.
- Partner with Governance/Data on training content and compliance‑aligned documentation.
- Provide high‑quality support channels for portfolio teams, ensuring timely answers and effective solutions.
Training, Enablement & Change Leadership (Co‑Owned Across All Three Teams)
- Develop and execute role‑based training programs, onboarding pathways, and learning content.
- Lead communication and change activities for new processes, standards, and tooling updates.
Performance Insights & Continuous Improvement
- Produce dashboards, insights, and operational metrics that guide leadership decision‑making.
- Use data in partnership with Governance/Data and the VMO to drive continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications
- 8–10+ years in Portfolio/Program/PMO roles, including 2–4+ years as a team leader.
- Expertise in Lean‑Agile portfolio practices, process governance, and workflow design.
- Strong people‑leadership and coaching capabilities.
- Proficiency with portfolio tools (Jira, Clarity, Rally, Smartsheet, SharePoint).
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- SAFe LPM or similar certification.
- Experience in regulated environments.
- Experience driving practice‑building or organizational transformation.
In addition to the salary range, this role is also eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.
Why Schwab?
At Schwab, “Own Your Tomorrow” embodies everything we do! We are committed to helping our employees unleash their potential and achieve their dreams. Our employees get to play a central role in disrupting a multi-trillion-dollar industry, creating a better, more modern way to build and manage wealth. We’re a modern financial services firm that stands apart from the industry, where you can go as far as your ambition takes you.
Hear from employees: What’s it like to work at Schwab!
The benefits of working at Schwab : a package designed to empower your health, wealth, career and life. Schwab is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued.
As an equal employment opportunity employer, our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to any status that is protected by law. (Please click here to see policy.)
Schwab is also an affirmative action employer, focused on advancing women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in the workplace. We believe diversity and inclusion are part of our success as a company and our purpose of serving every client with passion and integrity.