The Hartford · 5 days ago
Director, Portfolio Lead & Agile Coach
Hartford, CT
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$128K/yr - $192K/yr
5+ years expThe Hartford is an insurance company dedicated to making a difference and helping others achieve their goals. They are seeking a high-energy Portfolio Lead/Coach who will leverage Agile coaching, program delivery, and lean portfolio management to support strategic initiatives and optimize value flow across the organization.
Auto InsuranceCommercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsFinanceFinancial ServicesInsuranceLife InsuranceProperty Insurance
No H1B
Responsibilities
Leverage strong program management and Agile execution experience to structure and break down complex initiatives (epics, capabilities, features) into manageable components. Use program management practices to monitor scope, timelines, and budgets, ensuring that programs stay on track and deliver intended outcomes
Support lean governance frameworks at the portfolio level to ensure Initiatives or Epics align with enterprise strategy. Oversee the portfolio backlog, and drive strategic prioritization to balance demand with capacity
Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage generative AI and other emerging technologies within portfolio management and delivery processes. Implement AI-driven tools or practices (e.g., predictive analytics for risk management, automated reporting) to enhance decision-making and team efficiency. Coach teams on adopting these solutions responsibly, ensuring that AI augments our processes while aligning with Agile values and business objectives
Coach and mentor executive sponsors, portfolio managers, and Agile leaders in lean-agile practices and mindset, focusing on portfolio-level application. Educate leaders on principles of Lean Portfolio Management (e.g., prioritization, WIP limits, adaptive funding) and guide them in applying lean-agile practices to governance and strategy execution. Provide Agile coaching with an emphasis on scaling practices and sustaining Agile transformations across the enterprise
Identify, track, and mitigate risks and impediments that could hinder the flow of value across teams and programs. Collaborate with senior leadership to escalate and remove systemic blockers, improving overall organizational throughput and delivery predictability
Act as a liaison among business and IT stakeholders to maintain alignment and transparency. Communicate portfolio progress, risks, and achievements in a clear, timely manner, managing stakeholder expectations and fostering strong partnerships. Ensure feedback loops with stakeholders to course-correct and reinforce support for portfolio outcomes
Define and measure meaningful productivity and flow metrics in addition to standard Agile metrics. Track indicators like flow efficiency (work time vs. wait time) and reliability (e.g., system uptime, incident recovery time) alongside team health, delivery performance, and business outcomes. Use these data-driven insights to coach teams and leadership, aiming for continuous improvement at the portfolio level
Demonstrate thought leadership in Agile and Lean Portfolio Management. Lead and contribute to training sessions, workshops, and communities of practice on topics such as lean portfolio governance, agile metrics, program execution excellence, and emerging best practices. Share success stories and industry insights (via blogs, forums, presentations) to inspire a culture of continuous learning and improvement across the organization
Qualification
Required
Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in Agile coaching or related roles (e.g., Scrum Master, RTE, Product Owner) within a scaled Agile environment, with a demonstrated ability to coach multiple teams or programs and meet them where they are in their Agile journey
Proven experience in program management, including managing complex dependencies and risks across large initiatives
Strong knowledge of lean-agile frameworks and Lean Portfolio Management practices
Hands-on experience defining, tracking, and analyzing Agile and productivity metrics (velocity, cycle time, flow efficiency, etc.)
Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging all levels of the organization including executives
Pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset
Solid understanding of both business and IT perspectives
Proficiency with Agile project management tools and the Microsoft Office suite
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a related field
Preferred
PMP, SAFe LPM or similar certifications are a plus
Experience in the insurance or financial services industry is a plus
Experience in leading and managing a team
Familiarity with emerging technologies, especially generative AI tools and methodologies
Proven interest or experience in applying AI-driven solutions or data analytics to improve processes and decision-making
Benefits
Short-term or annual bonuses
Long-term incentives
On-the-spot recognition
Company
The Hartford
The Hartford is an industry leading provider of property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
unknown1995-12-15IPO
Leadership Team
Christopher Swift
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
2025-12-09
2025-12-08
EIN Presswire
2025-12-02
Company data provided by crunchbase