Program Manager

A core pillar of the client’s technology strategy is to provide strong and scalable foundations. Leveraging cloud, they create and manage platforms servicing our internal stakeholders with a customer-first mindset. They enable and empower teams to become self-sufficient while providing guardrails to protect the organisation.
The Program Manager will be responsible for managing a group of interconnected, cross-functional projects to achieve the long-term Infrastructure Transformation goals. This is a key strategic area for the organisation and the leader for this program must be able to build on the momentum.
This role will lead the Infrastructure team through the management of their Cloud Infrastructure Initiatives Portfolio. This includes managing current initiatives as well as defining the vision for our program execution. This is a key leadership role that will work closely with Technology Directors as well as with cross-functional business partners, vendors, retail operations & technology. The ideal candidate will have a history of demonstrated results leading large, cross-functional teams to accomplish complex projects across matrixed organisations.
They must thrive in fast-paced environments, be able to manage through ambiguity and complexity, invent and simplify processes, and simultaneously support multiple projects impacting a growing global organisation. This role requires excellent communication and organizational skills and the ability to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, provide escalation management, anticipate and make tradeoffs, and balance business needs versus technical constraints. Maturity, curiosity, creative problem-solving, and team leadership are all essential to success in this role.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management:
Oversee large, complex cross-functional initiatives through the project life cycle
Work closely with initiative sponsors and stakeholders to understand the functional strategy, define scope and deliverables, and ensure funding and staffing are planned and available to meet program delivery goals
Develop business and technical project plans and ensure that all initiatives within the portfolio are executed on scope, on schedule and on budget, and within the organisation’s best practices and standards
Provide program updates and communicate effectively to the sponsors and stakeholders
Monitor and manage program Opex and Capex budgets and constraints
Serve as a trusted advisor to Cloud Infrastructure CoEs, Project Sponsors and Key Stakeholders regarding project issues, options and opportunities and product capabilities
Drive program progression through exceptional user engagement, crisp communications designed with the user in mind, tight planning and delivery, and follow-through on commitments.
Cloud Infrastructure Technology Capabilities Management/Thought Leadership:
Display a comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s overall suite of services, operating platform(s), business strategy and priorities by identifying gaps, driving change, and influencing project-related decisions to achieve project goals and delivery of desired results
Risk Management & Analysis:
Mitigate risks, resolve issues, and manage resources to successfully meet program goals and deliverables
Ensure initiatives are effectively managed by Project Leads; assist in the resolution of the critical issues that may derail a program, provide solutions
Ensure all potential risks (Data Management, Systems Risk, Web/Internet Security, etc.) are identified and all impacted stakeholders engaged
Leadership/People Management:
Coach Project Managers, Business Analysts, and project team participants to build and develop a strong cross-functional team
Set clear expectations and hold people accountable
Manage resources across projects
Manage external vendors and hold accountable
Required Skills & Experience:
10+ years of related work experience, with direct work experience across a variety of Cloud Infrastructure disciplines to support a strong foundational knowledge of technology best practices, regulatory processes
8+ years of relevant program management experience; with at least 5+ years directly managing projects/products using Agile methodologies
Experience working through various Cloud Infrastructure system architectures (preference for those with specifically AWS/Azure, Infrastructure as Code/CI/CD, Networking, operating systems) to influence solutions to solve customer problems
Experience in managing programs in highly dynamic, global organisations; with a preference for those with experience in retail or similar industry with blended and distributed workforce (i.e. mix of salary, hourly, contingent workers)
Experience with translating business activities into operational processes
Proven experience managing all aspects of the software delivery lifecycle
Demonstrated experience in creating/managing portfolios
Experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets
Demonstrated understanding of project management principles, tools and techniques including business case development, ROI analysis, planning and issues management
Takes ownership and follows through on tasks; drives decisions; results-oriented
Flexible and able to handle multiple priorities
Creative, innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity
Problem-solving and sound judgment
Strong organisational and time management skills; ability to multi-task
Strong attention to detail
Excellent verbal and written communication & presentation skills with all audiences
Strong interpersonal skills with proven leadership
Strategic thinker
Technology Evangelist
Acts with speed, simplicity and decisiveness
Must Haves:
Proven work ethic with the utmost integrity
Self-awareness, with a desire for constant self-improvement (goal-oriented)
Entrepreneurial spirit and an egoless nature
Self-motivated, passionate, empathetic, approachable
Actively live and breathe the organisation’s culture and lifestyle
Outgoing, energetic, upbeat and fun!
Strong interpersonal skills
Demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
Desire to excel and succeed
If you are interested in this role, please apply today!