Portfolio Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Live the experience. From professional empowerment to continual learning opportunities. From ongoing investment in new and emerging technologies to a career of self-determination. At Ulta Beauty, our tech team is critical to our scalability—and is recognized that way. We’ve been defined as a “mature start-up.” A place where interdepartmental exposure, open doors, and genuine collaboration is ubiquitous. Where challenges come fast and furious, requiring agility, mental dexterity, and creativity. Where our passion for better solutions drives us and is core to who we are.

We’re engineering for the future of retail, and it’s no‑holds‑barred. But for those motivated by continual change and ambiguity, by superior leadership, by whip‑smart colleagues who will press you daily for your very best, you’ll find that virtually nothing’s impossible at Ulta Beauty.

As a member of the Strategic Portfolio Delivery team in IT, this role will lead the development and adoption of a consistent portfolio management operating model across IT. Drive standardization of governance, planning, prioritization, reporting, and delivery practices to improve transparency, cross‑functional collaboration, and execution against strategic objectives.

The Portfolio Delivery Optimization Manager will focus on assessing the current IT PMO process, templates & governance frameworks to identify gaps & inefficiencies. This role will work with Portfolio Managers, Project Managers and stakeholders to understand & prioritize opportunities in areas such as: project intake & prioritization, portfolio planning and capacity management, status reporting and KPIs, portfolio & project health, financial tracking and forecasting and project management best practices.

As a member of the Strategic Portfolio Delivery team in IT, this role will lead the development and adoption of a consistent portfolio management operating model across IT. Drive standardization of governance, planning, prioritization, reporting, and delivery practices to improve transparency, cross‑functional collaboration, and execution against strategic objectives.

The Portfolio Delivery Optimization Manager will focus on assessing the current IT PMO process, templates & governance frameworks to identify gaps & inefficiencies. This role will work with Portfolio Managers, Project Managers and stakeholders to understand & prioritize opportunities in areas such as: project intake & prioritization, portfolio planning and capacity management, status reporting and KPIs, portfolio & project health, financial tracking and forecasting and project management best practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in business required
• 8+ years’ of experience in IT PMO, portfolio management, or project delivery leadership
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Portfolio management frameworks
  • Project lifecycle methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid)
• Demonstrated experience improving and scaling PMO processes
• Advanced Excel skills (required), including:
  • Pivot tables, complex formulas, dashboards
  • Data modeling and scenario analysis
• Proven experience evaluating and implementing PPM tools
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills

• Strong understanding of IT portfolio & project management best practices
• Strategic thinking with strong execution focus
• Experience driving organizational standardization and process maturity across multiple teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive adoption of new processes without direct authority.
• Ability to capture feedback from multiple resources and form a strategic plan to address requirements
• Planview PPMpro experience is a plus.

The pay range for this position is $122,900.00 - $165,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full‑time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part‑time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.