Program Manager

Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands. We’re excited to support our TechEd client in hiring a Program Manager to lead and execute complex programs in the higher education sector. This is a dynamic, remote opportunity to partner with product, engineering, and business leaders to deliver innovative digital solutions that empower educators and students.

About the Role:
In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing large-scale, cross-functional programs with a focus on ensuring timely delivery and operational excellence. You will drive the execution of complex projects, from development through post-delivery, ensuring smooth transitions and continuous improvement. This is an ongoing project opportunity with a new work order for the next fiscal year, starting in March 2025. Up to 15% travel may be required, with preference for candidates located in the New York/New Jersey area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive Program Success: Lead and manage cross-functional programs to ensure on-time delivery with high quality. Oversee project initiation, milestone tracking, risk resolution, and dependency management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Navigate Complexity: Coordinate interdependencies across teams, escalate issues as needed, and ensure alignment across multiple projects and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Vendors: Manage vendor contracts, invoicing, and execution, ensuring smooth collaboration and effective service delivery.
• Champion Agile Practices: Drive scaled agile planning and execution, coaching teams in agile methodologies and ensuring adherence to the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Foster Team Collaboration: Partner with product and engineering teams to provide strategic guidance, ensuring efficient and cohesive workflows.
• Communicate Effectively: Develop and execute communication plans, providing clear updates to senior leadership and agile teams. Manage status reports, stakeholder communication, and program documentation.
• Solve Problems Proactively: Identify risks, remove impediments, and ensure transparency in decision-making and issue resolution.
• Support Customer Success: Ensure customer support priorities are met and service-level agreements (SLAs) are honored.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Lead agile ceremonies and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the teams.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in agile project management, with a proven track record in managing timelines, scope, and business requirements.
• Strong proficiency in JIRA, Confluence, and Smartsheet, with the ability to manage complex programs and create dashboards and reports.
• Well-organized and self-motivated with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proven ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders and build consensus within a matrixed organization.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence teams and leaders and effectively manage cross-functional relationships.
• A positive, growth-oriented mindset with a commitment to continuous process improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
• Experience with Scaled Agile or related certifications.
• Familiarity with collaboration tools such as Teams and Slack.
• Previous experience as a Scrum Master or in EdTech environments.

Perks & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and **Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Program
• Commuter Benefits
• eLearning and Education Reimbursement
• Ongoing Training & Development opportunities

To qualify for our benefits package, you must work over 30 hours per week, and the assignment must last at least 10 weeks.

If you meet the qualifications for this Program Manager role, we encourage you to apply today. Our team at Onward Search will review your application, guide you through the interview process, and support you every step of the way.

Application Deadline: 1/14/2025

Employer Details:

• Onward Search is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in an employment with regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state and local laws and ordinances. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment. EOE/M/F/D/V/SO.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• Onward Search is unable to support 1099 / Corp-to-Corp or Independent Contractor arrangements at this time. All freelancers will be paid as W2 employees.
• Onward Search offers medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as a 401k program, for all eligible full time temporary assignments.
• Onward Search is a drug-free workplace.
• Onward Search is a nationwide staffing agency and talent solutions provider specializing in creative, marketing and technology. Our clients are continuously turning to us to fill their open positions. Therefore, there is no application deadline for this position, as we are seeking candidates for this type of role across all our clients on an ongoing basis.