IT Project / Program Manager III (PXM Portfolio Management)

Role: IT Project / Program Manager III (PXM Portfolio Management)
Location: Peoria, IL | Chicago, IL | Broomfield, CO | Dallas, TX
Work Type: 100% Remote (Candidates must currently reside near one of the preferred hub locations, as future hybrid/onsite requirements may be introduced.)

Let’s create our future together at The AES Group!

About The AES Group:
The AES Group is a premier technology and engineering consulting company that has been bringing businesses and talent together for over 20 years to deliver innovative solutions that have the greatest positive impact on society. AES has helped over 40 business enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, engage their customers, empower their employees, and transform their business operations with the power of cloud, data, AI, engineering, and other emerging technologies.

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced IT Project / Program Manager III to support enterprise-wide Product Experience Management (PXM) initiatives. This role will serve as the central coordinator for portfolio governance, project planning, executive reporting, and cross-functional program execution.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience managing multiple concurrent technology initiatives while creating visibility into project health, dependencies, risks, milestones, and strategic priorities. This position partners closely with Engineering, Product Management, Digital Program Management (DPM), Brand teams, business stakeholders, and implementation partners to ensure successful delivery across a growing digital portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the centralized PXM portfolio tracker across all initiatives and strategic programs.
• Build and manage integrated project plans, roadmaps, milestone schedules, and dependency tracking.
• Coordinate multiple cross-functional workstreams across Engineering, Product, Brand, DPM, and external partners.
• Facilitate project intake, prioritization, capacity planning, and governance activities.
• Track project status, milestones, risks, issues, decisions, and dependencies (RAID).
• Prepare executive-level portfolio dashboards, status reports, and leadership presentations.
• Establish governance documentation including RACI matrices, decision logs, and risk registers.
• Drive consistency, transparency, and accountability through standardized portfolio management processes.
• Lead project planning sessions, status meetings, and dependency reviews.
• Partner with Product Owners and Program Managers to proactively identify delivery risks and execution gaps.
• Maintain project reporting and portfolio artifacts using Azure DevOps, Microsoft Project, Excel, Power BI, and related tools.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in IT Project Management or Technical Program Management.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent technology initiatives.
• Strong portfolio planning, project governance, and roadmap management experience.
• Advanced experience with:
  • Azure DevOps
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
• Experience maintaining RAID logs (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies/Decisions).
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent organizational, planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP or PMI Certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
• MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
• Experience supporting:
  • Digital Transformation
  • eCommerce
  • Product Information Management (PIM)
  • Product Experience Management (PXM)
  • Digital Asset Management (DAM)
  • Product Data initiatives
• Familiarity with:
  • Akeneo
  • Informatica P360
  • Product Content Management platforms

Preferred Technical Skills

• Azure DevOps
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• Microsoft PowerPoint (Advanced)
• Power BI
• Agile/Scrum
• Portfolio Management
• Project Governance
• RAID Management
• Roadmap Planning

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication (written and verbal)
• Executive presentation skills
• Stakeholder management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Organizational and planning skills
• Critical thinking
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Decision-making
• Problem-solving
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Attention to detail
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments