Principal Program Manager

Palo Alto Networks is seeking a Principal Program Manager for its Data & Analytics team. This hybrid role involves driving critical internal programs and leading a company-wide Data Governance initiative. The ideal candidate is a strategic operator with a data background, strong communication skills, and technical acumen in metrics, data objects, and pipelines. The role requires leveraging AI tools for acceleration, leading enterprise data governance, and ensuring successful execution of cross-functional programs while managing stakeholders and optimizing processes.

Must Have

• Leverage AI tools to accelerate documentation, synthesis, and workflows
• Possess technical solidity to validate insights via SQL or build dashboards
• Lead enterprise data governance initiative
• Drive successful execution of large, cross-functional programs
• Engage effectively with senior executives and project teams
• Utilize knowledge of go-to-market and finance operations
• Implement and drive continuous improvement processes
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks
• 8+ years of Program Management experience
• Experience leading Data Governance programs or managing portfolios internal to IT/Data organizations
• Comfortable working with data directly (SQL, dashboarding tools)
• Good understanding of go-to-market domains and technologies
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to balance strategic thinking and operational execution

Good to Have

• Experience with Tableau, Looker, or PowerBI
• Utilizing consulting frameworks to refine process delivery

Perks & Benefits

• Opportunity to work on challenging and exciting projects
• Part of a growing, passionate, and dynamic team
• Being part of a people-centric company

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life. Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Description

Your Career

We are looking for a Principal Program Manager to join the Palo Alto Networks Data & Analytics team. This is a unique hybrid role for a leader who loves to build. You will wear two hats: driving critical internal programs for the D&A organization and leading a transformative, company-wide Data Governance initiative.

The ideal candidate is a strategic operator with a background in data who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves. You are a strong communicator who can navigate complex stakeholder maps, but you are equally adept at the technical level—understanding metrics, data objects, and pipelines. We are looking for someone who balances the "art" of program management with the "science" of data, using technical skills and AI to accelerate execution rather than just managing timelines.

Your Impact

• Data Autonomy & AI Acceleration: You act as a force multiplier by leveraging AI tools to accelerate documentation, synthesis, and workflows. You possess the technical solidity to dig into the data yourself—validating insights via SQL or building your own dashboards—to drive decision-making without waiting on engineering cycles.
• Company-Wide Data Governance: Lead the charge on our enterprise data governance initiative, translating complex data policies into actionable programs that improve data quality, security, and accessibility across the company.
• Program Delivery Leadership: Drive successful execution of large, cross-functional programs from inception to go-live. You will identify cross-functional dependencies, anticipate risks, and manage business and IT stakeholder expectations.
• Stakeholder Management: Engage effectively with senior executives and project teams. You will provide clear reporting while tactfully balancing strict accountability and timelines with empathy, ensuring alignment across parties even when priorities compete.
• Functional & Technical Acumen: Utilize knowledge of go-to-market and finance operations to shape tech-driven programs. You bridge the gap between business needs and technical reality, working seamlessly with product and engineering.
• Process Optimization: Implement and drive continuous improvement processes across program delivery, utilizing consulting frameworks to refine how we deliver value.
• Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify and mitigate risks, leveraging your functional and technical insights to solve problems before they become blockers.

Qualifications

Your Experience

• 8+ years of Program Management experience, with a strong track record of driving large-scale, complex projects in a fast-moving, agile environment.
• Specialized Governance Experience: We are specifically interested in candidates who have led Data Governance programs or managed portfolios internal to IT/Data organizations.
• Technical Data Skills: You are comfortable working with data directly. Experience with basic SQL for querying and dash-boarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker, or PowerBI) to visualize program metrics is highly preferred.
• Domain Knowledge: Good understanding of go-to-market domains and technologies, with experience managing tech-focused programs.
• Leadership & Soft Skills: Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate cross-functional teams in high-pressure environments.
• Communication: Exceptional presentation skills, capable of engaging both technical engineers and non-technical business leaders.
• Strategic Balance: Ability to switch gears between high-level strategic thinking and operational execution.
• Location: Local SF Bay Area Candidates who can be onsite 3 days/week.

Additional Information

The Team

You will be part of a growing, passionate, and dynamic team with an opportunity to work on challenging and exciting projects — centered on what we believe is one of the most significant mission statements in the world. We also strive to be the most people-centric company ever! That means we’re constantly working to make your experience amazing, and you are part of the team breaking boundaries of what the workplace can be!

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $155,000 - $251,000/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.