AVP, AI Portfolio Management

AVP, AI Portfolio Management

The AVP, AI Portfolio Management leads the enterprise AI, Data and Analytics (AIDA) Program Management Office (PMO) and is responsible for the portfolio planning, governance, and performance, value realization, and execution oversight of the organization's AI portfolio. This role manages the full lifecycle of AI initiatives—including demand intake, prioritization, roadmap planning, and value realization—across organizational transformation initiatives, third-party AI platforms, and enterprise AI enablement tools. The AVP drives a disciplined, forward-looking portfolio management approach, establishing quarterly and annual planning processes to align AI investments with enterprise priorities, executive leadership expectations, optimize resource allocation, and ensure sustained business impact. Through strong governance, cross-functional coordination, and transparent reporting, this role enables informed decision-making, accelerates delivery, and maximizes the value of the organization's AI-enabled transformation.

What you'll be doing:

• Leads the enterprise AI intake and demand management process, including idea intake, feasibility assessment, business case development, and prioritization in partnership with business, data, and technology stakeholders.
• Owns the end-to-end AI portfolio, including roadmap development, pipeline management, and ongoing prioritization across transformation initiatives, third-party AI platforms, and enterprise AI enablement tools (e.g., Claude).
• Establishes and leads quarterly/annual portfolio planning processes to align investments with AIDA priorities, enterprise goals, and executive leadership expectations, funding cycles, and capacity, maintaining a forward-looking (12+ month) view of the portfolio.
• Continuously monitors and rebalances the portfolio based on performance, risk, and emerging opportunities to ensure focus on the highest-value initiatives.
• Makes portfolio-level investment recommendations and trade-off decisions, balancing strategic priorities, capacity, risk, and expected business value.
• Leads the AIDA Program Management Office (PMO), ensuring consistent governance, clear accountability, and disciplined execution across all AI initiatives.
• Oversees portfolio governance and performance management, including tracking milestones, dependencies, risks, and issues, as well as performance against AIDA strategic objectives, ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
• Partners across business units, technology, data, risk, and external vendors to align priorities, remove barriers, and support successful delivery of AI initiatives.
• Develops and delivers executive-level reporting on portfolio performance, including progress against AIDA priorities and goals, initiative status, risks, value realization, and adoption trends.
• Leads quarterly business reviews (QBRs), annual planning cycles, and executive governance forums, clearly communicating portfolio performance against AIDA strategic priorities, committed outcomes, and key performance metrics, including progress, risks, and trade-offs, and holding initiative owners accountable for results.
• Tracks and evaluates portfolio performance against AIDA strategic objectives, ensuring alignment between investment decisions, execution progress, and realized business outcomes.
• Contributes to the enterprise "State of AI" narrative, synthesizing portfolio performance, outcomes, and key insights to inform leadership and future strategy.
• Partners with the AIDA Strategy & Operations leadership on executive communications and board-level materials related to the AI portfolio.
• Defines and maintains standard portfolio management practices, including intake processes, prioritization frameworks, reporting standards, and governance routines.
• Leads AIDA portfolio reviews, prioritization discussions, and cross-functional coordination cadences to support alignment and execution.
• Leads financial management of the AI portfolio, including ROI analysis, investment governance, and accountability for cost, benefits realization, and overall portfolio value delivery.
• Establishes consistent financial reporting and performance tracking, providing visibility into investment performance, cost trends, and value delivered.
• Partners with Corporate Finance and business leaders to validate assumptions, track benefits realization, and adjust investment decisions based on actual results.
• Drives continuous improvement of AI portfolio management capabilities, ensuring scalable processes, tools, and governance frameworks that support long-term growth and adoption.

What we're looking for:

Must Haves:

• 4 Year/Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (4 years of experience in lieu of Bachelor's)
• 8+ years in strategy, operations, program/portfolio management, or technology-driven business transformation experience with 3+ years of management and stakeholder influencing experience

Nice to Haves:

• PMP or similar portfolio/program management certification preferred.
• Experience managing a portfolio of concurrent technology or AI/ML initiatives preferred
• Financial services or insurance industry experience preferred

Application Deadline: Applications for this position will be accepted through 7/31/26 subject to earlier closure due to applicant volume.

What's it like to work here?

At Lincoln Financial, we love what we do. We make meaningful contributions each and every day to empower our customers to take charge of their lives. Working alongside dedicated and talented colleagues, we build fulfilling careers and stronger communities through a company that values our unique perspectives, insights and contributions and invests in programs that empower each of us to take charge of our own future.

What's in it for you:

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities
• PTO/parental leave
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits
• Free financial counseling, health coaching and employee assistance program
• Tuition assistance program
• Work arrangements that work for you
• Effective productivity/technology tools and training

The pay range for this position is $127,500 - $232,300 with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range and could vary above and below the listed range as permitted by applicable law. Pay is based on non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency and qualifications required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Lincoln's total rewards package for employees. In addition, the role may be eligible for the Annual Incentive Program, which is discretionary and based on the performance of the company, business unit and individual. Other rewards may include long-term incentives, sales incentives and Lincoln's standard benefits package.

About The Company: Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) helps people to confidently plan for their version of a successful future. We focus on identifying a clear path to financial security, with products including annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services. With our 120-year track record of expertise and integrity, millions of customers trust our solutions and service to help put their goals in reach. Lincoln Financial Distributors, a broker-dealer, is the wholesale distribution organization of Lincoln Financial. Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln Financial Corporation and its affiliates including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Lincoln Financial affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice.

Lincoln is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.