Portfolio and Project Manager - Performance Coatings Innovation

About the role

As Lubrizol approaches its centennial in 2028, our Wickliffe campus will become the unified home of Lubrizol’s global headquarters, integrating Lubrizol’s Brecksville site capabilities and employees to the Wickliffe campus.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage the R&D innovation portfolio roadmap aligned with corporate strategy and growth priorities.
• Evaluate, select, and balance projects based on value, risk, resources, and strategic fit.
• Lead end-to-end project management of innovation initiatives (concept through commercialization).
• Ensure projects adhere to timelines, budgets, quality standards, and scope.
• Apply structured methodologies (Agile, Stage-Gate, Hybrid) tailored to innovation environments.
• Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Partner with R&D, Product, Engineering, and Business stakeholders to incubate and accelerate new ideas.
• Support ideation, feasibility analysis, prototyping, and scaling of innovations.
• Facilitate decision-making through quarterly portfolio reviews with executives.
• Manage portfolio budgets, investment planning, and ROI tracking.
• Optimize resource allocation across projects (people, capital, technology).
• Develop business cases and track value realization for innovation initiatives.
• Establish best practices for project and portfolio management.
• Be a change agent to drive best practices and discipline through influence in a matrixed organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in project/portfolio management within R&D, innovation, or product development environments.
• 5+ years of experience leading or operating within a global, matrixed organization, collaborating across cross-functional and geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, effective presentations.
• Change management mindset with the ability to bring clarity to ambiguity.
• Financial acumen and portfolio investment management skills.
• Proven ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels, without direct authority.
• Knowledge and practical application of project management principles and methodologies.

Qualifications

• Required qualifications:
• Preferred qualifications:

Skills

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred but not required.
• Experience or academic focus in coatings, polymers, or specialty materials applications.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans
• 401(k) match + Age-Weighted Defined Contribution
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid holidays, vacation, and parental leave
• Flexible work environment
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career and professional growth
• Inclusive culture and vibrant community engagement

Pay

Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans

Schedule

Collaborate in person 4 days each week, with 1 flexible remote day.