Senior Portfolio Program Manager
(Strategic Leadership | Global Programs | AI Transformation)
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Work Model: Onsite
Employment Type: Full-time
Language: English required | German (min. B1) mandatory
About the Role
Swiss Himmel GmbH is looking for a Senior Portfolio Program Manager with a distinguished career spanning 20+ years across technology and delivery leadership.
This role is designed for a visionary portfolio leader who began in hands-on software engineering and evolved into a strategic, client-facing executive. You will oversee a complex global program landscape, mentor a high-performing PMO organization, and drive AI-led delivery transformation across multiple industry domains.
You will act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, ensuring that programs are aligned to long-term business strategy, deliver measurable value, and operate within a mature governance framework.
Your Responsibilities
Strategic Portfolio Leadership
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Own and govern a large, multi-domain program portfolio, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic roadmaps and business objectives
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Drive benefits realization, ROI tracking, and value-based delivery models across all initiatives
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Establish and mature portfolio governance frameworks integrating Agile, PRINCE2, and enterprise delivery standards
Mentorship & PMO Capability Building
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Coach and mentor Project and Program Managers, fostering a culture of precision, accountability, and continuous improvement
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Build a high-performing PMO organization with strong delivery discipline and career development pathways
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Provide executive-level oversight for complex or high-risk programs
Technical & Delivery Advisory
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Leverage your early career hands-on development and testing background to:
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Provide architectural and delivery guidance
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Perform technical “gut-checks” for complex programs
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Support resolution of critical engineering and quality challenges
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AI & Innovation Leadership
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Act as a champion for Generative AI and intelligent automation across the portfolio
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Enable teams to embed AI into delivery lifecycles to improve:
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Productivity
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Quality
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Time-to-market
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Promote a culture of innovation and continuous optimization
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
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Serve as a trusted advisor to C-level stakeholders across global accounts
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Lead high-impact client engagements, ensuring delivery alignment with evolving business priorities
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Manage complex stakeholder landscapes across multiple geographies and industries
Cross-Industry Delivery Oversight
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Govern programs across sectors such as:
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Life Sciences
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Manufacturing
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Telecom
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Banking & Financial Services / Insurance
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Adapt governance and execution models to suit diverse regulatory and business environments
Your Profile
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20+ years of experience in IT, program, and portfolio management with a clear progression into strategic leadership roles
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Strong early-career hands-on experience in software development and/or testing (Java, .NET, or similar)
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Proven track record managing large, global, client-facing programs and complex accounts
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Extensive experience across multiple industry domains (Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Telecom, BFSI/Insurance)
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Strong ability to translate technical concepts into business value for executive stakeholders
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Demonstrated success in portfolio governance, value realization, and long-term strategic planning
Certifications
Strategic / Program Governance:
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PgMP, PMP, PRINCE2, HERMES or equivalent
Agile / Execution:
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CSM, CSPO, SAFe or similar
Key Competencies
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Executive stakeholder management and consultative leadership
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Portfolio governance and transformation delivery
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AI-driven delivery innovation
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Financial and commercial acumen (ROI, TCO, value realization)
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Cross-cultural leadership in global delivery environments
What We Offer
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A strategic, high-visibility leadership role within a global transformation landscape
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Opportunity to shape AI-driven program delivery models
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Direct engagement with C-suite stakeholders across industries
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A collaborative, international environment with strong PMO and delivery excellence culture
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Long-term career growth within Swiss Himmel GmbH