Lead Director, Agile Practice Management

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The Lead Director, Agile Practice Management leads end-to-end delivery of a portfolio of strategic and regulatory technology initiatives within Aetna Commercial and Distinct Client Segments (DCS) Delivery. This role focuses on delivery execution, driving outcomes, financial discipline, and team-of-teams performance.

The Lead Director balances strategic portfolio oversight with hands-on program leadership. They partner with Engineering, Product, Architecture, Finance, and business leaders to set priorities, manage investments, and turn strategy into predictable, measurable results.

This leader develops Program Managers, Project Managers, and Scrum Masters and serves as the central connector between technology leaders and business stakeholders. They stand up and mature programs, set consistent governance and reporting standards, and manage portfolio financials across capital and operating expense, including forecasting, variance management, capacity planning, and investment trade-offs. Success is measured by delivery predictability, financial transparency, portfolio health, and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• 10+ years of experience in program and portfolio management, including managing large-scale, complex technology and business transformation initiatives in large, matrixed organisations
• 5+ years of experience managing large enterprise portfolios, including budgets exceeding $25M annually, with responsibility for strategic planning, prioritisation, governance, and execution
• 5+ years in a formal people leadership role developing teams of project, program, and portfolio management professionals including HR responsibilities such as hiring, performance management, and talent development
• Experience standing up new programs, including building operating rhythms, governance, and delivery practices from the ground up
• Ownership of portfolio budgets, including forecasting, variance management, capital vs. operating expense, and investment trade-off decisions
• Ability to establish governance that keeps scope, schedule, budget, quality, and metrics accurate, transparent, and aligned to enterprise standards
• Expertise using project and portfolio management tools such as Jira, Rally, Clarity, and other portfolio planning and financial management platforms
• Strong executive communication and influence with VP and SVP leaders, with the ability to turn complex information into clear decisions and actions
• Experience operating in large, highly matrixed enterprise environments
• Current Agile, program/project management, or equivalent professional certification such as SAFe, RTE, SPC, CSM, and/or PMP

Preferred Qualifications

• Healthcare or insurance payer experience, ideally supporting Commercial lines of business
• Experience facilitating executive operating reviews, investment reviews, and cross-organisation governance forums
• Experience coordinating internal and external staffing partners
• Expertise in product operating models

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Business Management, Information Technology, or a related field required. Equivalent combination of education, specialised training, certifications, and relevant professional experience will be considered
• Master’s degree preferred

Pay Range The typical pay range for this role is: $144,200.00 - $288,400.00

Benefits This full-time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.