The nature of the IT Program Manager role is to demonstrate mastery of the PM methodology and skill set through independently leading related initiatives with minimal oversight, while managing prioritization and strategic execution. Will also act as a mentor, cultivating the skills of junior PMs.
Significant Points Reports to directly to the Director of the IT PMO. Indirectly manages changing and sometimes remote project teams, for purposes of project execution; may have direct reports. Has specific oversight of BSA deliverables and those of the supporting project team(s). Projects range from web-development efforts to system support to contract compliance initiatives. Occasional travel may be required.
Nature of the Work 1. Independently lead small to large scale IT initiatives related to core programs thru Initiation, Planning, Execution, Control and Closure. Drive efforts to accomplish each project's objectives including tasks, process documentation, testing, training, and deployments. Drives behaviors toward the attainment of successful project completion. 2. Provides leadership and facilitates task execution for mission critical program management efforts among and across all divisional lines. 3. Proactively manages risks of competing resources, shifting priorities, and interdependencies between the correlated projects of a given program. Maintains awareness of external factors that may impact initiatives. 4. Utilizes influencing prowess to overcome objections that hamper the implementation or execution of critical project efforts; overcomes obstacles by partnering with business leaders to manage risk and define realistic mitigation or solution strategies. 5. Manage project plans to include schedules, training plans, testing plans, deployment plans, etc, and prioritize tasks while managing dependencies, communicating progress and issues to upper management/key stakeholders. 6. Accountable for all documentation related to project implementations; ensures requirements and plans meet appropriate level of detail and are written in a manner to secure understanding from respective stakeholders. 7. Coaches and mentors junior PMs and Business Analysts within the PMO group to amplify surrounding skill-sets and contribute to the continual improvement/development of PMO resources. 8. Maintains relationships with all members of the PMO staff and IT organization; is cognizant of project impacts on any aspect of other initiatives and visa-a-vis. 9. Enforces broad-based governance of program change management while balancing program continuity. Assesses and tracks all change requests to evaluate project/program impacts; seeks/obtains buy-in from appropriate decision makers. 10. Performs other related duties as required. Requirements and Experience Qualifications Business degree (preferably with some technical concentration, specifically MIS or IS) and 5-7+ years of post-graduate experience in a Project or Program Management position. Strong leadership and organization skills, and an aptitude for executing deliverables. Strong understanding PM methodologies and best practices. PMP certification preferred. 11. Experience in managing programs supporting government contracts a plus, specifically related to web/system development, Certification and Accreditation (C&A) initiatives, and operational programs involving large scale rollouts/deployments. 12. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with experience in providing crisp, insightful information to senior management and to cross-functional stakeholders/sponsors. Ability to present complex technical information to a non-technical audience. 13. Aptitude for analysing data and the ability to translate metrics into strategic plans.
Key Relationships 1. Coordinates with IT and business unit management including legal, finance, business development and division heads on integration of new initiatives and current projects. 2. Contributes to the IT PMO in the continual improvement of policies, tools and strategies. 3. Interacts with project team to ensure efforts are aligned to a common objective.
Key Challenges 1. Directing program(s) that meet corporate and business unit strategies on time and within budget. 2. Expediting initiatives amidst ever-changing business requirements and organization priorities, while often having to fast-track or crash initiatives while maintaining continuity. 3. Optimally managing resources to ensure best-in-class quality and delivery of initiatives.