Jennifer Spencer

About Jennifer Spencer

I don’t just manage portfolios—I drive enterprise transformation that delivers measurable results. Results-oriented IT Portfolio Leader and EPMO Strategist with 20+ years of experience leading complex, high-visibility initiatives across financial services, including core banking conversions and Agile transformations. I specialize in turning strategy into execution through strong governance, clear prioritization, and disciplined delivery frameworks. I’m known for building structure where it’s needed, simplifying complexity, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver at scale—on time, on budget, and aligned to business outcomes. My leadership style is both hands-on and strategic, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and results. What I bring to the table: Enterprise Portfolio & PMO/EPMO Leadership driving multi-million-dollar initiativesGovernance, prioritization, and operating model design that enable scalable deliveryEnd-to-end program execution across the full project lifecycleExecutive-level communication that aligns stakeholders and accelerates decisionsRisk mitigation and problem-solving in fast-paced, high-stakes environments I have a proven track record of elevating PMO maturity, strengthening delivery capability, and leading large-scale change that sticks. If you’re looking for a leader who can cut through noise, build clarity, and deliver results—consistently—I’m already operating at that level.

Experience

1. Core Technology Portfolio Manager

   First Horizon Bank

   May 2022 — Present

   Lead and oversee the largest and most complex technology portfolio within the EPMO, supporting 8 critical business lines including Deposits, Loans, AI, Wealth, Trust, Product, Risk, and Compliance. Manage a high-performing team of 12 direct reports, driving enterprise-scale delivery across core financial systems and strategic initiatives.Serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior technology and business leaders, aligning portfolio execution with organizational priorities and ensuring optimal intake, prioritization, and value delivery across the enterprise.Key contributions and impact:Direct enterprise portfolio governance and execution, ensuring alignment to strategic objectives and measurable business outcomesLead portfolio intake, prioritization, and capacity planning, balancing demand with resource optimization across a multi-million-dollar initiative landscapeProvide executive-level portfolio insights, delivering bi-weekly reviews to senior leadership to assess pipeline health, risks, and strategic alignmentDrive portfolio health, transparency, and reporting excellence, ensuring accurate status, risk mitigation, and proactive issue resolutionOversee resource strategy and allocation, maintaining appropriate staffing levels and optimizing team performance across initiativesEnsure audit readiness and compliance, validating project documentation and adherence to governance standardsMentor and develop Project Managers, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accountability, execution, and continuous improvementRecognized as a highly respected and trusted leader, known for influencing at the executive level, removing barriers to execution, and consistently delivering large-scale, high-impact change across the enterprise.

Education

• Longwood University

  BA, English and Communications

Skills

• Human Resources
• Access
• Vendor Management
• Program Management
• Budgets
• Business Process Improvement
• Change Management
• Strategic Planning
• Sdlc
• Management
• Team Building
• Project Management
• Operational Risk Management
• Fundraising
• Strategy
• Business Analysis
• Banking
• Risk Management
• Pmo
• Training
• Databases
• Process Improvement