SPM Capability Lead / Product Owner

Job Title: SPM Capability Lead / Product Owner Location: Kansas City, MO (Preferred) or Raleigh, NC (hybrid)
Duration: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire

Job Description:
Position Overview
Client is seeking an experienced SPM Capability Lead / Product Owner to own and drive the evolution of the organization's Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) capability. This individual will serve as the strategic leader and product owner responsible for advancing SPM maturity, maximizing business value, and driving adoption across the enterprise.The ideal candidate combines deep Strategic Portfolio Management expertise with strong product ownership, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change management capabilities. This role requires a self-starter who can influence without authority, communicate a compelling vision, and help stakeholders understand how SPM enables better investment decisions, resource allocation, portfolio visibility, and delivery outcomes.This position will play a key role in Black & Veatch's modernization journey, helping define future-state capabilities, evaluate opportunities for AI-enabled processes, and mature the organization's SPM operating model.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) capability, roadmap, and long-term vision.
• Serve as the Product Owner for SPM initiatives and enhancements, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Drive capability maturity across the organization by expanding adoption, governance, and best practices.
• Partner with business and technology leaders to communicate the value of SPM and drive organizational alignment.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and ensure adherence to established operating models and governance processes.
• Lead modernization initiatives and identify opportunities to streamline portfolio management processes.
• Evaluate and define how AI and automation can be leveraged within SPM capabilities and future roadmaps.
• Gather business requirements, prioritize enhancements, and manage the capability backlog.
• Define and track KPIs, success metrics, and maturity goals.
• Influence cross-functional stakeholders and build consensus around strategic priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and ensure SPM capabilities evolve with organizational needs.
• Provide thought leadership on portfolio governance, investment planning, resource optimization, and demand management.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Product Owner, Capability Lead, Product Manager, or similar role supporting Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM).
• Strong experience driving capability maturity and organizational adoption of SPM practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead stakeholders through transformational change and process improvements.
• Experience developing and managing product roadmaps and capability strategies.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within enterprise governance and operating models.
• Proven ability to prioritize competing initiatives and align stakeholders around business value.
• Experience managing and prioritizing product backlogs.

Required SPM Expertise
Candidates should possess strong experience in several of the following areas:

• Demand Management
• Project Portfolio Management (PPM)
• Resource Management
• Investment Planning and Funding
• Strategic Planning and Portfolio Governance
• Agile Portfolio Management
• Product and Portfolio Road mapping
• Backlog Management and Prioritization
• Capacity Planning
• Portfolio Reporting and Analytics

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ServiceNow Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM).
• Experience implementing, optimizing, or owning enterprise SPM capabilities.
• Knowledge of Agile delivery methodologies and Agile portfolio management.
• Experience integrating AI, automation, or advanced analytics into portfolio management processes.
• Experience working in large enterprise environments with multiple business units and stakeholder groups.
• Track record of improving portfolio visibility, prioritization, governance, and investment decision-making.
• Experience establishing maturity models, governance frameworks, and measurement strategies.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has successfully inherited an existing SPM capability and elevated it to the next level of maturity. They can clearly articulate where an organization started, the challenges encountered, the roadmap created, and the measurable business outcomes achieved. This person is both strategic and hands-on, capable of managing a backlog, leading stakeholder discussions, driving governance, and advancing the long-term vision for Strategic Portfolio Management across the enterprise.
Interview Focus Areas
Candidates should be able to provide detailed examples of:

• Maturing an SPM capability over time.
• Driving adoption across resistant stakeholder groups.
• Managing and prioritizing large capability backlogs.
• Implementing or optimizing Demand Management processes.
• Improving Project Portfolio Management and governance.
• Enhancing Resource Management and capacity planning.
• Aligning investment decisions with strategic objectives.
• Incorporating AI or automation into portfolio management workflows.
• Communicating business value and securing executive buy-in.
• Establishing metrics and measuring capability success.