Agile Portfolio Manager
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Technical Portfolio Manager / Release Train Engineer (RTE) to build, lead and coordinate the delivery of complex technology initiatives across our Capital Markets domain. This role is pivotal in ensuring alignment between business strategy, technology execution, and agile delivery practices within a financial enterprise environment.
The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Capital Markets, Agile Program Management, and Release Train Engineering, with a proven track record of managing large-scale portfolios and driving cross-functional collaboration across technology and business teams.
Role Objectives
Portfolio Management
- Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of a portfolio of technology initiatives aligned with strategic business objectives.
- Manage prioritization, resource allocation, and risk mitigation across multiple programs and projects.
- Provide transparency into portfolio health through metrics, dashboards, and executive reporting.
Release Train Engineering
Serve as the Release Train Engineer (RTE) for one or more Agile Release Trains (ARTs), facilitating PI Planning, Scrum of Scrums, and Inspect & Adapt workshops.Ensure consistent application of SAFe principles and agile best practices across teams.Coordinate dependencies, resolve impediments, and drive continuous improvement across the ART.Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a liaison between technology teams, business stakeholders, and executive leadership.Facilitate communication and alignment across diverse teams and geographies.Champion agile transformation and change management initiatives.Governance & Compliance
Ensure adherence to enterprise governance standards, regulatory requirements, and financial controls.Support audit and compliance activities related to portfolio delivery.People Leadership
Lead, mentor and develop a team of new Scrum Masters and Product Managers supporting Middle Back Office technology.Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performance culture that aligns with organizational goals.Qualifications and Skills
Education & Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.SAFe Release Train Engineer (RTE) certification strongly preferred.PMP or equivalent project management certification is a plus.Experience
Minimum 8+ years of experience in project / program management within financial services.5+ years of experience in Capital Markets, with strong understanding of trading, risk, and regulatory environments.3+ years of experience as a Release Train Engineer or Agile Program Manager in a scaled agile environment.Proven experience managing complex portfolios in large financial enterprises.Skills
Strong understanding of Agile, SAFe, and Lean Portfolio Management principles.Strong understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the role DevOps plays in maturing and accelerating delivery.Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.Proficiency in portfolio management tools (e.g., Jira Align, Rally, Clarity, MS Project).Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity in fast-paced environments.Preferred Attributes
Strategic thinker with a delivery mindset.Collaborative leader who fosters team empowerment and accountability.Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.Familiarity with Product Operating Model.Additional Requirements
SMBC's employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.
SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.