At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful IT projects from concept to execution, ensuring strategic alignment and value creation.
- Company: Join a diverse team at Springer Nature Technology, committed to innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and career development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while driving strategic impact across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in portfolio management and strong financial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 58540 - 71548 £ per year.
About us
The company
This role is in our Springer Nature Technology division - a diverse group of over 700 people across our main locations in Germany, India, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The department
Join the Portfolio & Governance Office of our CIO, where our mantra is simple yet powerful: “Do the right things.” Our team is dedicated to building a strategic, consistent, and transparent approach to how information and technology empower our entire enterprise.
The team
Join our Portfolio & Project Office (PPO) within the Portfolio & Governance Office, where we provide the essential backbone for strategic alignment and effective project execution across the organisation. This team is responsible for ensuring that our project portfolio not only meets the organisation’s immediate needs but also aligns with long-term business goals. With a focus on portfolio governance, demand management, and business outcome measurement, our team plays a central role in resource optimisation, risk management, and continuous improvement across initiatives.
In the team, you will help shape impactful projects from concept to execution, implementing frameworks that foster transparency, enhance decision-making, and prioritise value creation. This is a team where collaboration, innovation, and accountability come together, fostering a culture where every project aligns with our core objectives and strategic vision.
About the job
Job summary
Portfolio & Project Office - Your Opportunity to Shape Strategic Impact
Join our Portfolio & Project Office at Springer Nature Technology, where we provide the essential backbone for strategic alignment and effective project execution across the organisation. As part of our team, you will have the chance to drive impactful projects from concept to execution and help orchestrate the health of our wider portfolio, implementing frameworks that foster transparency, enhance decision-making, and prioritise value creation.
If you are ready to embrace challenges and contribute to an evolving, high-performing project environment, we welcome you to apply and be part of a team committed to excellence in delivering strategic value across the enterprise.
As a Senior IT Portfolio Manager, you will lead the strategic management of the organisation’s IT project portfolio, ensuring alignment with business goals and maximising the return on technology investments. This role involves overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of IT projects, from portfolio planning and prioritisation to execution and performance measurement. You will be responsible for evaluating project proposals, managing resource allocation, and conducting regular portfolio reviews to ensure optimal use of resources and risk mitigation.
You will enable our technology division at all levels to make data-driven decisions and foster collaboration across departments. In this role, you are a strategic partner to SN Technology leadership, balancing day-to-day project management with a strategic vision to optimise the organisation’s portfolio in line with corporate objectives. This role’s contributions across corporate cycles are essential to achieving alignment between IT investments and overall business goals.
Key responsibilities
- Portfolio management & governance
Continuously evaluate, prioritise and manage IT project proposals to align with organisational goals, ensuring each project meets strategic objectives and delivers value. Oversee resource allocation across the portfolio, balancing project needs with capacity and coordinating across teams to optimise resource utilisation and manage constraints. Maintain visibility of project portfolio progress, risks and outcomes, tracking performance and adjusting plans to meet changing priorities.
- Risk and issue management
Identify, assess and mitigate risks across the project portfolio, providing regular updates on risk status and mitigation plans.
- Data-driven analysis & reporting
Analyse project data to produce performance insights, including financial metrics, resource utilisation and project outcomes, to inform decision-making and optimise portfolio value.
- Financial management with IT Finance Business Partners
Collaborate closely with the IT Finance Business Partner to ensure accurate financial operations, processes and reporting for the entire IT portfolio, including investments in Run-Grow-Transform initiatives. Develop transparent oversight of cost structures and total cost of ownership (TCO) for products and services, and work with technology expert teams to implement a FinOps approach to optimise cloud cost management, ensuring the portfolio’s financial sustainability aligns with business goals.
- Responsibilities within annual corporate cycles
Financial forecasting and budget planning. Work with IT Finance to evaluate funding requirements, prioritise investments, and adjust budgets quarterly to support evolving strategic priorities.
- Strategy review and mid-term planning
Support the strategic review cycle by assessing portfolio alignment with long-term goals and recommending adjustments to maximise ROI.
- Annual planning & prioritisation
Lead portfolio planning by coordinating with business units to review, prioritise and optimise resources for both new projects and ongoing initiatives.
- Corporate meetings & reporting obligations
Present financial and operational portfolio performance, making strategic recommendations for resource adjustments and alignment with business goals. Actively participate in committees to align portfolio performance with strategic priorities and address key dependencies. Prepare reports that include key financial metrics such as TCO, cloud spending and resource allocation, ensuring transparent and actionable insights. By working closely with IT Finance, this role ensures comprehensive financial and operational oversight, from the project level to the broader strategic portfolio, supporting the organisation’s vision for sustainable growth and value delivery.
About you
Your experience
- Extensive portfolio and project management experience
Extensive experience in project portfolio management (PPM), ideally within an IT or technology-driven environment, with a strong track record of successfully overseeing large, complex project portfolios that align with organisational strategy. Proven experience managing a diverse portfolio, including Run-Grow-Transform initiatives, demonstrating expertise in prioritising projects based on strategic objectives and business value.
- Financial management expertise with IT focus
Significant experience working closely with finance teams or directly managing project finances, including budget forecasting, cost control and resource allocation. Beneficial but not essential: prior experience implementing or collaborating on a FinOps approach to manage cloud-based service costs, including insights into total cost of ownership and financial metrics specific to technology portfolios.
- Stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration
Strong history of collaboration with IT and business stakeholders, demonstrating an ability to understand and align with business needs while ensuring project outcomes deliver value. Experience engaging with senior leaders and steering committees, preparing impactful reports and presenting portfolio performance insights in strategic discussions.
- Risk management and governance
Demonstrated experience in assessing and managing risk across multiple projects, with an emphasis on proactive issue resolution and risk mitigation.
Your qualifications
- Education and certifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Technology, Business, Finance or a related field. Certifications such as PMP, PfMP, PMI-ACP or Certified ScrumMaster may be helpful, but equivalent experience is equally valued.
- Business acumen and strategic insight
Demonstrated ability to connect IT portfolio decisions with organisational objectives, ensuring projects deliver strategic value and align with business priorities.
- Communication and storytelling expertise
Ability to communicate clearly in English with a range of audiences. Ability to craft compelling narratives around project outcomes and portfolio insights that resonate across audiences.
- Analytical and strategic thinking skills
Strong analytical abilities to manage and interpret complex financial and operational data to drive strategic portfolio decisions. A proven ability to align portfolio decisions with long-term organisational strategy, ensuring maximum return on investment and alignment with business goals. Knowledge of cloud financial management tools, including FinOps principles, is desirable.
Berlin
Type: Full time
Manager (Portfolio Manager) employer: Springer Nature
Springer Nature is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and empowering work culture, particularly for the Senior Business Analyst role. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities and the chance to work within a dynamic network of teams across global locations like London, Lisbon, and Berlin. The company prioritises innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that your contributions directly impact meaningful outcomes in the research and education sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager (Portfolio Manager)
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Manager (Portfolio Manager) at Springer Nature!
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Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Springer Nature or be willing to refer you for that Manager (Portfolio Manager) position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
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✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Manager (Portfolio Manager) role at Springer Nature!
We think you need these skills to ace Manager (Portfolio Manager)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Springer Nature. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Springer Nature
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Springer Nature. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
