Program Manager (IT – Software Development)

Project / Program Manager (IT – Software Development) Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid – 3 days onsite)Interview Process: 2 rounds (1st informational, 2nd virtual panel)Position OverviewThis role will act as a central communication hub across engineering, product, and analytics teams—ensuring stakeholders have a clear understanding of project status, risks, dependencies, and priorities. The ideal candidate is highly skilled at translating complex technical efforts into clear, data-driven insights and executive-level updates.This position is best suited for someone who thrives in a matrixed software development environment, can manage ambiguity, and excels at storytelling through data and structured communication.Key ResponsibilitiesServe as the primary communicator across multiple application development efforts (7–8 applications)Drive cross-functional alignment between engineering, product, platform, and analytics teamsGather updates from development teams and translate into clear status reports, risks, and timelinesCreate executive-ready presentations and dashboards to communicate progress, challenges, and prioritiesManage roadmaps, dependencies, and risk tracking across initiativesSynthesize complex inputs into actionable insights for leadership decision-makingSupport SDLC processes and ensure visibility into development lifecycle milestonesLeverage data mining and analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across programsTypical Day / Work EnvironmentAttend development and technical meetings to collect updates on progress, risks, and blockersBuild cohesive program-level narratives highlighting milestones, delays, and key decisionsDevelop polished PowerPoint presentations and reporting materials for various stakeholder levelsCollaborate regularly with development teams, product owners, and senior leadershipHybrid environment (3 days onsite in Chicago)Required QualificationsBachelor’s degree required5+ years of Project/Program Management experience, ideally supporting software development teamsExperience working within SDLC / CI/CD environmentsStrong experience managing cross-functional technical initiativesTechnical SkillsRequired:Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel)Azure DevOpsSDLC / CI/CD processesPreferred / Strongly Desired:Data mining experiencePower BI, SQL, and/or Python for data analysis and reportingCore CompetenciesStrong communication and stakeholder management skills (primary focus of role)Ability to simplify complex technical information into clear messagingExperience managing multiple concurrent applications or programsStrong analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data for decision-makingExecutive presentation and storytelling skillsHigh attention to detail and strong organizational skillsAbility to operate independently in a fast-paced, ambiguous environmentIdeal Candidate ProfileBackground supporting software development or digital product teamsProven ability to act as a bridge between technical teams and leadershipExperience consolidating inputs across multiple teams into a single, cohesive viewComfortable driving visibility across large, complex programsDisqualifiersFrequent job changes / inconsistent tenureUnwillingness to meet onsite expectations (3 days/week in Chicago)