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Project Portfolio Manager Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Kvh-Industries-

Project Manager

Bristol, RI · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

You help coordinate requirements with internal and external stakeholders and usher initiatives through the entire project lifecycle, often managing a portfolio of concurrent projects that may span ...

KVH Industries, Inc.

Project Manager

Bristol, RI · On-site

You help coordinate requirements with internal and external stakeholders and usher initiatives through the entire project lifecycle, often managing a portfolio of concurrent projects that may span ...

KVH Industries, Inc.

Project Manager

Bristol, RI · Hybrid

You help coordinate requirements with internal and external stakeholders and usher initiatives through the entire project lifecycle, often managing a portfolio of concurrent projects that may span ...

KVH Industries, Inc.

Project Manager

Bristol, RI · Hybrid

You help coordinate requirements with internal and external stakeholders and usher initiatives through the entire project lifecycle, often managing a portfolio of concurrent projects that may span ...

M Force

Project Manager

Exeter, RI · On-site

Key Responsibilities Manage a portfolio of projects, business initiatives, and continuous improvement activities Develop and maintain a portfolio roadmap aligned with strategic priorities and ...

Pavion

Sr Project Manager

Cranston, RI · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Total portfolio revenue expectations to manage ranges from $5-$15mil * Supervise and direct project team during planning, estimating, design, installation, start-up, commissioning, turnover, and ...

VHB

Civil Engineer Project Manager

Providence, RI · On-site

$85K - $114K/yr

In this role, you'll be a well rounded-leader with broad project portfolio experience which ideally ... Manage work and development of Land Engineering projects in a collaborative environment * Develop ...

VHB

Civil Engineer Project Manager

Providence, RI · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

In this role, you'll be a well rounded-leader with broad project portfolio experience which ideally ... Manage work and development of Land Engineering projects in a collaborative environment * Develop ...

VHB

Civil Engineer Project Manager

Providence, RI · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

In this role, you'll be a well rounded-leader with broad project portfolio experience which ideally ... Manage work and development of Land Engineering projects in a collaborative environment * Develop ...

iTek People, Inc.

RHTP Project Manager

Cranston, RI · On-site

The Project Manager will provide hands-on project management and implementation support across the RHTP portfolio, working closely with EOHHS leadership, Interdepartmental Project Managers, EOHHS ...

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All JobsProject Portfolio JobsProject Portfolio Manager JobsProject Portfolio Manager Jobs in Rhode Island

Project Portfolio Manager information

See Rhode Island salary details

$37.7K

$100.6K

$158.6K

How much do project portfolio manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for project portfolio manager in Rhode Island is $100,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,900.00 and $120,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a project portfolio manager?

A Project Portfolio Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing a collection of projects within an organization to ensure alignment with strategic goals and optimal resource utilization. Their main duties include selecting, prioritizing, and monitoring projects, balancing risks and benefits, and communicating progress to stakeholders. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the organization's projects deliver maximum value and are completed on time and within budget. Project Portfolio Managers often work closely with project managers, executives, and other stakeholders to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve project outcomes.

How does a project portfolio manager typically collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to align projects with organizational strategy?

A Project Portfolio Manager works closely with project managers and business stakeholders to ensure that all projects within the portfolio are strategically aligned with the organization's goals. This involves regular meetings to review project progress, prioritize initiatives based on value and resource availability, and address risks or dependencies that may impact delivery. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential, as the role often requires balancing competing interests and facilitating consensus among diverse teams. By fostering collaboration, the Project Portfolio Manager helps ensure that resources are optimally allocated and that the portfolio delivers maximum business value.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a project portfolio manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Project Portfolio Manager, you need strong project management expertise, analytical skills, and often a background in business or engineering, typically supported by a bachelor's degree and experience in managing multiple projects. Familiarity with portfolio management tools like Microsoft Project, Jira, or Primavera, and certifications such as PMP or PfMP are commonly required. Leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication are crucial soft skills for aligning stakeholders and driving business value. These competencies are essential for effectively prioritizing projects, optimizing resources, and ensuring organizational goals are met.

What is the difference between Project Portfolio Manager vs Program Manager?

AspectProject Portfolio ManagerProgram Manager
Primary FocusOversees multiple projects to align with organizational strategyManages related projects to achieve specific program goals
ResponsibilitiesPortfolio selection, prioritization, resource allocationCoordination, execution, and delivery of related projects
CertificationsPMP, PgMP, PMI-SPPMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP
Work EnvironmentStrategic, high-level management across projectsOperational, focused on project execution within a program

The Project Portfolio Manager focuses on selecting and managing a collection of projects to meet strategic objectives, while the Program Manager oversees related projects to ensure they deliver specific program benefits. Both roles require similar certifications and work in organizational settings, but their scope and focus differ significantly.

How much do project portfolio managers get paid?

Project portfolio managers typically earn a median annual salary between $90,000 and $150,000, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior or certified managers with extensive experience can earn higher compensation, often exceeding $180,000. Compensation may also include bonuses and benefits related to project success and organizational size.

What are popular job titles related to Project Portfolio Manager jobs in Rhode Island?

For Project Portfolio Manager jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Project Portfolio Manager jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Project Portfolio Manager jobs in Rhode Island are:

What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Project Portfolio Manager jobs?

Cities in Rhode Island with the most Project Portfolio Manager job openings:

Project Portfolio Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Project Portfolio Manager job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,557 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Director, Project Management Office

Rhode Island College

Providence, RI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and maintain a Project Management Office framework for the division, including governance standards and delivery methodologies.

  • Build and manage the project portfolio, ensuring initiatives are prioritized, resourced, and delivering measurable value.

  • Serve as a hands-on project and program manager for complex, cross-functional initiatives, providing delivery leadership from initiation through closeout.

Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Posting Number
NC00871
Position Title
Director, Project Management Office
Division
Administration and Finance Division
Department Name
Administration and Finance
Position Type
Staff - Non Classified
Position Overview
Rhode Island College is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to establish and lead its Project Management Office (PMO) within the Division of Administration and Finance. This is an exciting opportunity to build a PMO from the ground up, shaping the college's approach to project governance, portfolio management, and organizational transformation.
The Director of the Project Management Office will drive the successful delivery of high-impact, cross-functional initiatives by implementing best-in-class project management practices, fostering collaboration across administrative and technology teams, and ensuring projects align with the College's strategic priorities. Working closely with executive leadership, including the Assistant CIO and senior administrators, the Director will provide portfolio oversight, strengthen institutional project management capabilities, and promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Ideal candidates are collaborative leaders with a proven track record of building PMOs, managing complex project portfolios, and leading enterprise-wide initiatives in dynamic, matrixed organizations. This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting institutional impact by improving how projects are planned, prioritized, and delivered across Rhode Island College.
Primary Purpose
The Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for establishing, leading and sustaining the PMO within Administration and Finance at the college. This role is responsible for developing governance frameworks, standardizing project management practices, and overseeing the institutional project portfolio to ensure initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with strategic priorities.
The Director builds and drives the adoption of consistent tools, processes, and delivery standards across a complex organization, while fostering a strong project management culture through coaching, training, and stakeholder engagement. This position serves as the central point of accountability for portfolio transparency, delivery performance, and the ongoing enhancement of project management capabilities across the college.
Essential Duties
  • Design, implement, and maintain a Project Management Office framework for the Division of Administration and Finance, establishing governance standards, delivery methodologies, and operating practices aligned with institutional needs and industry best practices.
  • Define and standardize project governance processes across the division, including intake, prioritization, resource planning, risk management, status reporting, and post-implementation review.
  • Build and manage the college's project portfolio ensuring initiatives are prioritized, resourced, and delivering measurable value.
  • Serve as hands-on project and program manager for complex, cross-functional initiatives, providing direct delivery leadership from initiation through closeout across any functional area within the division.
  • Develop and maintain a portfolio dashboard and reporting cadence that provides division leadership with timely, accurate visibility into project status, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
  • Facilitate the development of project charters, scope documents, work plans, RACI matrices, and communication plans in partnership with project sponsors and functional area leaders.
  • Partner with the Assistant CIO on IT transformation and enterprise technology initiatives, co-leading delivery on complex programs.
  • Serve as the integration point between stakeholders, proactively identifying and resolving cross-functional dependencies, resource conflicts, and sequencing issues.
  • Champion a project management culture across the college through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training for staff at all levels.
  • Lead the evaluation, selection, and administration of project management tools and platforms, ensuring consistent adoption and use across the college portfolio.
  • Develop and maintain resource capacity models to support data-driven decisions on project prioritization, staffing, and scheduling.
  • Manage vendor and partner relationships on projects, monitoring deliverables, timelines, and contractual performance.
  • Ensure all projects comply with institutional policies, applicable regulations, and relevant security and compliance standards.
  • Provide the college's Leadership Team with regular portfolio health reports and strategic progress updates, escalating issues requiring executive attention.
  • Supervise and develop PMO staff as the PMO function grows.

Occasional Duties
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
  • Demonstrated experience building a Project Management Office in a complex, multi-function organization.
  • Proven ability to manage a diverse portfolio of concurrent projects.
  • Strong working knowledge of project management methodologies including waterfall, agile, and hybrid approaches, with the judgment to apply the right method to the right initiative.
  • Experience serving as hands-on project and program manager for large, cross-functional enterprise or administrative initiatives.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present portfolio-level reports to VP and executive-level audiences.
  • Strong analytical skills with demonstrated experience building and maintaining portfolio dashboards, metrics, and reporting frameworks.
  • Proficiency with project management tools and platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, Jira, MS Project, or equivalent).
  • Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities across multiple functional domains under deadline pressure.
  • Proven ability to build relationships and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups without direct line authority.
  • Sufficient familiarity with information technology systems and infrastructure to collaborate effectively with IT leadership and manage technology-related projects within the portfolio.
  • High degree of professional integrity and commitment to confidentiality across sensitive administrative domains.

Required Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Experience: Minimum of sevenyears of progressive project management experience; a minimum of three years managing a project portfolio or PMO function, with at least two years in a management or director-level role.
  • Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, or a related field.
  • Additional Project Management certifications (e.g., PMI-ACP, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) strongly preferred.
  • Experience in higher education or a public sector environment, with an understanding of the governance, compliance, and stakeholder complexity these settings involve.
  • Demonstrated experience managing projects across multiple administrative functions - such as finance systems, HRIS, facilities, or enterprise IT - within a single portfolio.
  • Experience supporting the delivery of enterprise administrative system implementations (ERP, SIS, HRIS, Finance platforms).
  • Demonstrated experience coaching and mentoring staff at varying levels of project management maturity across non-technical and technical teams.

Does this position have Direct Reports?
Yes
Environmental Conditions
The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions
Position Details
FLSA
Exempt
Salary Grade
17NC
Full Time / Part Time
Full-time
Proposed Starting Salary Range
$145,000 - $155,000
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday
8:30AM-4:30PM
May require evening and weekend work as needed.
Benefits
Full-time employees enjoy an array of benefits including:
  • Health and Wellness - Medical, Dental & Vision
  • Wellness Incentives and Rewards
  • Paid time Off - Vacation, Sick & Holiday
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Disability and Insurance Benefits
  • Education Benefits - Tuition waivers for RIC, CCRI & URI

For a complete listing, visit Employee Benefits.
Reports To (Title)
Assistant Vice President, Financial Operations
Academic or Calendar Year
Calendar
Position Status
Continuing
End of Temporary or Limited Position
Collective Bargaining Unit
Non-union
Posting Information
Number of Positions Available
1
Application Open Date
08/03/2026
Application Close Date
Special Instructions
Please be advised that the college is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Rhode Island College is an equal opportunity employer. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability religion, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. Rhode Island College is committed to maintain a workplace and educational environment that supports equal opportunity, professionalism and respectful engagement for all community members.

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