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 seeking a Senior Portfolio Program Manager with an impressive career spanning over 20 years in technology and delivery leadership. This position is tailored for a visionary portfolio leader who has transitioned from hands-on software engineering to a strategic, client-focused executive role. You will oversee a complex global program landscape, mentor a high-performing PMO organization, and spearhead AI-led delivery transformation across various industry domains.
In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, ensuring that programs align with long-term business strategies, deliver measurable value, and operate within a mature governance framework.
Your Responsibilities
Strategic Portfolio Leadership
- Own and govern a large, multi-domain program portfolio, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic roadmaps and business objectives.
- Drive benefits realization, ROI tracking, and value-based delivery models across all initiatives.
- Establish and mature portfolio governance frameworks integrating Agile, PRINCE2, and enterprise delivery standards.
Mentorship & PMO Capability Building
- Coach and mentor Project and Program Managers, fostering a culture of precision, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Build a high-performing PMO organization with strong delivery discipline and career development pathways.
- Provide executive-level oversight for complex or high-risk programs.
Technical & Delivery Advisory
- Leverage your early career hands-on development and testing background to provide architectural and delivery guidance.
- Perform technical “gut-checks” for complex programs.
- Support the resolution of critical engineering and quality challenges.
AI & Innovation Leadership
- Champion Generative AI and intelligent automation across the portfolio.
- Empower teams to embed AI into delivery lifecycles to enhance productivity, quality, and time-to-market.
- Promote a culture of innovation and continuous optimization.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a trusted advisor to C-level stakeholders across global accounts.
- Lead high-impact client engagements, ensuring delivery alignment with evolving business priorities.
- Manage complex stakeholder landscapes across multiple geographies and industries.
Cross-Industry Delivery Oversight
- Govern programs across sectors such as Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Telecom, Banking & Financial Services / Insurance.
- Adapt governance and execution models to suit diverse regulatory and business environments.
Your Profile
- 20+ years of experience in IT, program, and portfolio management with a clear progression into strategic leadership roles.
- Strong early-career hands-on experience in software development and/or testing (Java, .NET, or similar).
- Proven track record managing large, global, client-facing programs and complex accounts.
- Extensive experience across multiple industry domains (Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Telecom, BFSI/Insurance).
- Strong ability to translate technical concepts into business value for executive stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success in portfolio governance, value realization, and long-term strategic planning.
Certifications
- Strategic / Program Governance: PgMP, PMP, PRINCE2, HERMES or equivalent.
- Agile / Execution: CSM, CSPO, SAFe or similar.
Key Competencies
- Executive stakeholder management and consultative leadership.
- Portfolio governance and transformation delivery.
- AI-driven delivery innovation.
- Financial and commercial acumen (ROI, TCO, value realization).
- Cross-cultural leadership in global delivery environments.
What We Offer
- A strategic, high-visibility leadership role within a global transformation landscape.
- Opportunity to shape AI-driven program delivery models.
- Direct engagement with C-suite stakeholders across industries.
- A collaborative, international environment with a strong PMO and delivery excellence culture.
- Long-term career growth within Swiss Himmel GmbH.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.