Director, Portfolio Operations (Honolulu)

The Director is responsible for managing Lili ʻ uokalani Trust’s (LT) enterprise portfolio of major initiatives and advising leadership on ways to improve strategic alignment and deliver maximum value. This is a highly technical and collaborative role focused on building efficient processes for effective portfolio management, balancing the need of multiple stakeholders, and fostering alignment on portfolio strategies to continuously improve value delivery.

Portfolio Planning and Management

• Plans, organizes, and manages the portfolio of projects to ensure they are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Partners closely with Finance and Portfolio Owners to analyze and drive impact performance.
• Collaborates with leaders to define strategic themes and portfolio vision.
• Ensures portfolios align with the organization's overall strategic objectives and contributes to achieving organizational outcomes.
• Facilitates leaderships reviews of projects so they are prioritized based on their value potential, considering both their cost and the benefits they will generate.
• Promotes Lean Portfolio Management principles, such as continuous flow and a focus on outcomes.
• Works with cross-functional teams, including project managers, product owners, and other stakeholders, to gather data, conduct analysis, and facilitate value realization initiatives.
• Focuses on driving value and maximizing returns on investments while promoting innovative ideas.
• Identifies potential risks associated with the portfolio and develop mitigation strategies with inputs from leadership.
• Conducts market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and potential risks affecting project portfolios.
• Monitors industry trends and landscapes to anticipate challenges and opportunities for growth.
• Assesses and manages risks within and across portfolios ensuring that they are aligned with the risk tolerance of the organization and mitigation measures are in place. Works with stakeholders to identify and address issues that could hinder value delivery.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitors and reports on portfolio performance against strategic goals and value targets.
• Develops reporting and makes data-driven recommendations for improvement and greater impact.
• Measures the key metrics to ensure account plans are delivering based on resources being committed.
• Establishes Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to support continuous improvement and efficient management of portfolios.
• Reviews KPIs with Product Teams to ensure ongoing relevance; identifies opportunities and develop plans for improvement.
• Identifies and implements processes to continuously improve the portfolio’s performance and value delivery.
• Contributes to LT’s success through collaboration, communication, and knowledge-sharing with all teammates to improve team and organizational results.
• Contributes to process optimization by identifying and implementing improvements in areas such as investment selection, portfolio management, and reporting.
• Provides training and guidance on Lean Portfolio Management practices.
• Researches external organizations to learn best practices from leading institutions.

Other duties:

• Creates and maintains value stream maps, which help visualize the flow of work and identify areas for improvement.
• Leads process improvement projects as needed.
• Hires and manages consultants as needed.
• Serves as a change agent to promote advocacy and adoption for new ways of working and continuous improvement.
• Manages portfolio management-related tools and dashboards to ensure accessibility and usability of insights.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field or relevant professional experience; must have strong business acumen.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership responsibility leading cross-functional teams.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience; at least 5 years in project portfolio management preferred.
• Strong understanding of data analysis, portfolio management techniques, and reporting for executive decisionmakers.
• Proven ability to take initiative and build strong, productive relationships within cross-functional teams.
• Project management professional (PMP) or Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) certification required.
• Experience managing value streams and working in Agile environment a plus.
• Able to work with minimal supervision and cross-functionally to deliver outcomes, while maintaining a high degree of accountability. Must take responsibility for one’s performance, speaking up when needed.
• Able to tailor communication between subject-matter experts and leadership to clearly convey issues and recommendations for effective portfolio management and alignment with strategic goals.
• Able to gather and synthesize information, analyze decision options, and make recommendations to leadership.
• Skilled in the use of project portfolio management systems, Lean methods, and reporting tools.
• Ability to self-manage and engage new problems proactively, with a sense of urgency and attention to detail.
• Posseses a comprehensive understanding of project management, financials, operations, and business strategy.
• Ability to promote a culture focused on results, innovation, quality, lean practices, and accountability.
• Deals with ambiguity; can effectively cope with and affect change; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• High level of organizational and interpersonal influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Proficient at working with senior leadership across an organization to manage the process and set expectations accordingly
• Openly share knowledge and insights with teammates.
• Convey and receive information and ideas clearly. Provide and seek constructive feedback from all levels of teammates, including the executive team. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills.
• Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served.
• Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement) : Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement.
• Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent m anner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action.
• No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations
• Ho'o kumu a'e or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving.
• Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward.
• Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives.
• Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others.

Travel Requirements

In alignment with our organizational competencies of Alu Like i ka Hana (Teamwork) and Hoʻomau i ka ʻImi Naʻauao (Continuous Learning and Improvement), this position will require occasional travel across the island, inter-island, and out-of-state depending on the needs of the team and the organization. While travel may not always be a need, the ability to travel when required remains a crucial aspect of this position to successfully contribute to our concerted efforts to carry out our Queen’s legacy. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time

Mental and Physical Demands:

Perform light physical work, including climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and lifting weight of up to 25 pounds. Exposed to outdoor climate and diverse terrain.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures.

Reports to: VP &Chief Operating Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Aligned Executive: VP & Chief Operating Officer

Department:

Liliʻuokalani Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to recruit, train, and retain innovative talent from a diverse candidate pool. All employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual o