Research & Development Project & Portfolio Manager at The Heritage Group in Indianapolis, Indiana

Job Description:

The Heritage Group is a fourth-generation, family-owned business focused on construction and materials, environmental services and specialty chemicals. Over the last 90+ years, the Heritage portfolio has grown to include more than 50 companies that employ more than 6,000 people. What unites this diverse group of businesses and individuals is our commitment to create a safer, more enriching, and sustainable world by harnessing the power of family.


The Heritage Research Group assists The Heritage Group companies, customers, and partners in evolving and adapting to an ever-changing marketplace. Heritage Research Group provides innovative products, processes, and training that constantly improve the way The Heritage Group companies serve their clients and deliver solutions to address the myriad of challenges their clients face. It also creates new technologies that fuel further business opportunities for The Heritage Group.


The R&D Project Portfolio Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of R&D projects to help HRG and the businesses it supports achieve long term goals. Primary responsibilities include:Ensuring R&D stage gate projects adhere to project management standards and keeping project teams on taskEnsuring stage gate projects are properly tracked, reviewed and reported to stakeholdersDeveloping and monitoring project and portfolio KPIs to provide insights into the R&D portfolioPracticing and role modeling process improvement, risk management and change managementThe successful candidate will demonstrate an improvement in individual project success as well as in the health of the overall HRG project portfolio over time based on agreed-to KPIs.***This position is located in Indianapolis, IN. Qualified candidates must currently reside in the Indianapolis area or be willing to relocate***



Essential Functions

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of own discipline (project management) and basic knowledge of other relevant disciplines (e.g. science, engineering)


• Researches best practices and suggests innovative alternatives within area of expertise.


• Solves problem based on limited information and precedent and adapts existing approaches to resolve issues.


• Routinely and independently makes data-driven decisions within area of expertise and makes recommendations based on data in areas outside own expertise.


• Is viewed by stakeholders as a trusted partner.


• Prioritizes own work and provides guidance on priorities to others who support them to address stakeholder requests.


• Uses knowledge of stakeholders to improve productivity and quality of work delivered.


• Routinely resolves a wide range of stakeholder issues in a calm and effective manner


• Adapts presentation content and style of delivery for different internal and external audiences. Explains complex issues clearly and effectively and works to build understanding and alignment.


• Ensures project leaders and team members are properly documenting work performed and placing it in the appropriate secure location that can be accessed by those who need it.


• Ensures project leaders and team members are appropriately labeling and protecting confidential information.


• Consistently follows all safety protocols and guidelines. Intervenes directly and professionally if a safety issue is observed in HRG lab environment and raises concerns about safety in OpCo and/or customer facilities.


• Consistently complies with all regulatory and legal requirements relevant to their job.


• Develops work plan to address identified needs or problems in collaboration with sponsor(s) and relevant team(s) and/or group(s). Gains agreement on priorities and adjusts plan as appropriate through regular review of progress.


• Recognizes when and understands how to effectively engage others in and outside of their own teams and/or groups to address needs and solve problems.


• Anticipates changes in work plan and adapts quickly to them. Helps team and/or group members do the same.


• Responds positively to feedback and incorporates it into their behavior. Provides effective feedback to others in their own teams and/or groups.


• Remains calm and objective when in conflict, practices active listening, and refrains from making assumptions. Asks questions to help discern any underlying issues and needs.


• Collaborating with project leaders and teams to ensure HRG stage gate projects adhere to project management standards and guidelines and keeping project teams on task to stay on time and within budget; in some cases this may mean managing projects themselves to role model for less experienced employees or coaching them one on one


• Ensuring stage gate projects are properly tracked, reviewed and reported to stakeholders in a timely and high quality manner


• Developing and monitoring project and portfolio KPIs to provide insights into the R&D portfolio and facilitate prioritization and influence decision-making


• Practicing and role modeling process improvement, risk management and change management as they relate to project and portfolio management


• Owning the project / portfolio management system in HRG and collaborating with HRG employees and system developers to ensure the system is providing relevant, accurate and timely data

Education Qualifications

• Required Bachelor's Degree in science or engineering is preferred

Experience Qualifications

• Required 7-10 years of Project Management experience


• Preferred Portfolio management experience


• Preferred Experience in an R&D based organization is ideal

Skills and Abilities

• Creativity and problem solving skills to find solutions to business opportunities.


• Understanding and implementation of safe laboratory practices


• Strong organizational skills


• Excellent communication skills (oral and written)


• Multitasking and prioritization skills with ability to be self-motivated


• Must have a strong work ethic and be willing to travel occasionally.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.


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