There are a core set of skills that are critical for a successful portfolio manager:  stakeholder management – specifically negotiation and facilitation, portfolio structuring, managing governance and funding processes and resource management, particularly managing scarce resources.

Additionally there are some more specific skills that are determined by the type of portfolio being managed.  For example, if the main driver for the portfolio is to maximise the value to be gained, then an understanding of the organisation’s value system and the required balance between financial and strategic benefits would be critical.  Alternatively, if the maintenance of a particular risk profile is required, then an ability to establish and monitor the cost and benefit risks within the portfolio is paramount.