Program Manager

Position: Program ManagerDuration: 5 MonthsWork Location: Metropolitan Council, Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid)Working independently and/or in a team environment may be required for some engagements. Hybrid telework/office setting work environment.Minimum Specification RequirementsMust have to be accepted for consideration for this position.Level of Education Bachelor's or master's degree in information technology, or a related fieldYears Of Experience In Position Title10+ years of experience in program management, with a proven track record of managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary programsCertification(s)Program Management Professional (PgMP) certificationCertified Scrum Master (CSM) or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) certificationITIL certification or any other relevant certification in IT service management and governanceNarrative Description Of PositionThe consultant will be expected to complete the following responsibilities.Program Planning & ManagementDevelop comprehensive program, portfolio, and project plans using Agile, Waterfall and Hybrid methodologiesDefine scope, goals, deliverables, and timelinesExperience managing testing activities and resources to ensure unit, performance, and functionality testing objectives are met.Strong vendor management experience to ensure delivery of contractual scope within agreed upon constraints.Coordinate internal resources and third parties/vendors for the execution of projects within established baselinesUtilize departmental tools for program and project management, tracking, and reportingDemonstrated ability to oversee multiple interrelated projects and manage dependenciesMonitor and Control program to ensure alignment with the approved Program Charter, escalate as needed per Governance structureExecute and manage in accordance with the established governance planCreate consistency among program and projectsCreate Program Roadmap/timeline and manage in order to meet milestones, objectives and project interdependenciesDirect and guide program deployment strategiesGuide program methodologies and tools in a manner consistent with industry standards and best practices across the program Communicate regularly across projectsMaintain program estimates/budget, issues, risks, assumptions and constraintsEscalate decisions and issues to appropriate levelAssist Project Managers with Vendor ManagementManage the stakeholders based on the established expectationsDetermine how the program goals and objectives are measured to ensure success of the Program based on project goals/objectives by working with the Project Sponsors LeadershipDemonstrated business acumen and professionalism in order to clearly communicate with senior level executives in oral, written, and presentation formatsStrong leadership and communication skills, capable of influencing and guiding teams in a matrixed environmentAbility to facilitate prioritization, roadmap, and trade off discussions with program stakeholdersManage project managers providing day to day guidance and oversight to ensure service deliveryAbility to manage and motivate teams, including direct and indirect reportsProven ability to work effectively with senior executives, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. Accountable for leading change management and conflict resolution efforts within assigned projectsEnsure teams have clear roles, responsibilities, and deliverablesEnsure outcome-based program and project management by focusing on key milestones and deliverables, starting with the strategic vision and developing deadlines to achieve targeted resultsStakeholder and Relationship ManagementBuild strong stakeholder relationships to become a trusted advisor to project sponsors and senior leadersCommunicate program status, risks, and issues to all stakeholders and executive management in a timely manner, setting expectations and escalating as necessaryEnsure alignment of project objectives with business goals through active stakeholder managementExcellent stakeholder management skills, including the ability to manage executive-level relationships and negotiate with third-party vendors and partnersStrong interpersonal and collaboration skillsRisk & Issue ManagementProactively identify, assess, and manage project/program risks and issues through mitigation planningMonitor and report project/program progress and performance throughout the delivery lifecycleBudget & Resource ManagementDevelop and manage program and project budgets, ensuring compliance with governance requirementsAllocate resources effectively to ensure program and project success through demand management and capacity planning to ensure project successMonitor expenditures and ensure adherence to budget constraintsVendor ManagementStrong vendor management experience to ensure delivery of contractual scope within agreed upon constraintsReview vendor's responsibilities per the SoW/contract and hold the vendor accountableNegotiate with the vendor for new requests or changes to existing scopeActively manage risks resulting from vendors or vendor interaction with our orgPromote active communication and collaboration between the vendor and our orgTransformation & Organizational Change ManagementLead transformation and change management initiatives within projects/programs to ensure solution adoption and process adherence Process ImprovementSupport the evaluation and refinement of project management methodologies and processesContribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the PMOStay abreast of industry trends and emerging practicesProblem Solving And Decision MakingAnalytical mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions and problem-solving in complex environmentsDemonstrated ability to navigate uncertainty and deliver results in ambiguous situationsProfessional ExperienceExperience leading high-budget, high-stake initiatives in organizations undergoing significant transformationPrior experience working with cross-functional teams (software engineering, infrastructure, security, Data, etc.)Experience in program management, with a proven track record of leading and delivering large-scale, complex programsExtensive experience in managing multi-disciplinary projects across various industries, involving diverse technologies, teams, and business unitsStrong understanding of Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid methodologies with the ability to tailor approaches based on program needsExperience working with cross-functional teams (software engineering, infrastructure, security, operations, etc.), ensuring alignment and collaboration across diverse stakeholdersPrior experience managing large budgets, including forecasting, cost management, and tracking against financial targetsExpertise in change management processes, driving transformation initiatives while ensuring successful adoption by all involved partiesDESIRED SPECIFICATIONS: Not required, but desire experience in these specifications for this position.Leadership and CollaborationStrong leadership skills, with the ability to lead large teams through complex initiatives, ensuring accountability, motivation, and high performance.Experience mentoring and coaching junior project managers and other team members, fostering growth and developmentProven success in leading cross-functional teams and driving collaboration between departments (engineering, product management, operations, etc.) to achieve common objectivesAbility to lead conflict resolution and facilitate decision-making among stakeholders, keeping teams aligned and focused on outcomesSkilled in building and managing effective teams while creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and transparency.Business AcumenStrong business acumen with the ability to align program objectives with broader organizational goalsAdept at managing and balancing the triple constraints (scope, cost, and time) while ensuring value delivery to the businessAbility to manage programs that span cross functional business, IT teams and vendor teams, diverse geographies, and time zonesExperience with vendor management, managing third-party dependencies, and ensuring successful delivery from external partnersAbility to review vendor's responsibilities per the SoW/contract and hold the vendor accountable. Negotiate with the vendor for new requests or changes to existing scope. Actively manage risks resulting from vendors or vendor interaction with our org. Promote active communication and collaboration between the vendor and our org.In-depth understanding of the broader industry landscape and emerging trends, allowing for informed decisions that position the program for long-term successCommunication And Interpersonal SkillsExceptional communication skills, with the ability to present complex program updates, risks, and strategies to C-suite executives and other senior leadershipSkilled in managing stakeholder expectations, ensuring clarity on program goals, risks, issues, and status updatesStrong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across different levels and functions of the organizationExpertise in creating clear documentation such as program plans, risk assessments, status reports, and executive dashboardsAbility to adapt communication style based on the audience-whether technical teams, business stakeholders, or external partners