Senior Program Manager

IT ProductUS Exempt RegularFull timeStateside Exempt 4.3Location: Adelphi, MD (Hybrid)

Summary:

The Senior Program Manager has strong technical knowledge and collaborates and strategizes with leaders across corporate and customer teams to implement high-level IT initiatives. As a member of the Agile Program Management Office, this role is responsible for the successful delivery of programs and projects through a disciplined project management process in close collaboration with business partners, team members and various IT functions. This individual will assume end-to-end accountability for single or multiple concurrent projects and large programs consisting of multiple projects. The Senior Program Manager is a strategic partner to customers and will coordinate the work with project managers, create and maintain interlocking schedules for projects of a program, track program interdependencies, maintain and present status of the program, track, and address risks/issues at the program level, among other duties. 

In addition to program management duties the Senior Program Manager will provide leadership and support to Program and Project Managers in structuring projects, consult on the use of project management tools and will lead process improvement initiatives. This role will also help drive the completion of larger scale initiatives at the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understands and communicates strategic plans to the team. Relates how the program accomplishes the strategic plans of the University and Business Unit and fosters and recognizes strategic thinking.

• Leads and inspires cross functional teams to achieve successful execution of strategic programs and to expand their technical knowledge. Holds self and team accountable for high performance standards and coaches the team to effectively manage changing priorities.

• Acts as principal point of contact with senior management to assure management understanding of program status, fosters resolution of problems, and coordinates efforts among management as necessary to assure corrective action.

• Manages assigned IT projects to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and scope of project.

• Develops, maintains, and revises proposals for assigned projects including project objectives, technologies, systems, information specifications, timelines, funding, and staffing.

• Collects, analyzes, and summarizes information and trends as needed to prepare project status reports.

• Builds, develops, and maintains close customer relationships, proactively addresses customer issues, and continually pursues open communications to strategically expand the business.

• Assures customer satisfaction and provides sufficient details of program performance, risk assessments, and identification of opportunities for improvement.

• Conducts periodic program status review meetings with customers and execution team to monitor program execution and collect program performance feedback, risk assessment inputs, and identification of opportunities for improvement

• Maintain strong customer focus while coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders, vendors and Digital Platform Team in implementation of key projects using effective verbal and written communication.

• Plan and manage out-sourced projects with large components completed by 3rd party vendors.

• Be proactive and exercise initiative in identifying, tracking, and removing impediments to program success. Approach risk identification and mitigation, accordingly, including establishing contingency to ensure corrective action

• Use negotiation skills, influence, and creativity to achieve successful outcomes around scope, schedule, costs/budget, issues/risks, and resources.

• Be a resource to project managers in developing upfront estimates of time and resource utilization through organized discovery with stakeholders, IT resources and vendors.

• Manage the program budget process and coordinate with managers, project managers and vendors to ensure project resources are applied efficiently and effectively.

• Arbitrate and resolve conflict within the program when necessary. Understand appropriate paths and methods for escalation.

• Track and report all inter-dependencies between multiple projects and other Programs

• Supports a culture of continuous improvement and innovation

Program Management Skills

• A high degree of competency with project management including, Agile methodology, identifying and managing risks, tracking dependencies and milestones, and communicating overall project status

• Demonstrated experience managing programs over some of the various phases of the project/program life cycle (intake through support and closure)

• Capable of managing cross functional team with competing priorities (IT, Business Units, etc.). Demonstrated experience working in these functions or successfully leading a cross functional team.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to use data and metrics to back up assumptions, recommendation, and drive actions

• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to a changing environment; proactive in seeking out information when necessary

• Capable of creating and maintaining constructive and engaging customer relationships.

• Serves as a leader on projects

Employee Supervision Skills

• Leads project teams in the successful, efficient, and timely completion of internal and customer-facing IT Service Management projects.

• Assists other program managers with cross-functional planning, coordination, knowledge transfer, or other duties as needed.

• Identifies key attributes and technical skills needed to recruit and/or promote qualified individuals.

• Coaches employees and sets specific, measurable goals to assist with the employee's personal growth and professional development.

• Manages project team work capacity, factors employee vacation time into project completion, assists managers by providing annual performance evaluation input, and other administrative supervisory responsibilities as needed.

Education & Experience Requirements:

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in project/program management with a demonstrated track record of delivering business value

• 10+ years of experience managing IT projects, including end to end experience for medium to large projects and programs

• PMP/PgMP certification or a demonstrated history of successful project implementation experience.

• Experience in executing corporate-wide initiatives, being able to define project plans, coordinate resources, manage implementation activities, and develop all processes associated with project/program rollout along with ongoing support

• Experience monitoring and managing vendor performance

• Experience with programs, high-impact/large projects, and/or cross-team management.

• Experience in completing projects/programs within scope, on time, within budget and delivering a quality product to the customer with a high level of satisfaction.

Preferred Experience Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree

Experience:

• Knowledge of Smartsheets

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Azure DevOps

• Experience in creating SOW

• Experience working with vendors

• Experience in the education sector

Certifications:

• Agile certifications and knowledge/experience working with agile teams

All submissions should include a cover letter and resume.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. UMGC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Workplace Accommodations:

The University of Maryland Global Campus Global Campus (UMGC) is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive working environment for people of all abilities. UMGC is dedicated to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, based on disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination. For information about UMGC's Reasonable Workplace Accommodation Policy or to request an accommodation, applicants/candidates can contact Employee Accommodations via email at employee-accommodations@umgc.edu. 

Benefits Package Highlights:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 days of paid vacation, 15 days of sick leave, 3 personal days, and 15 paid holidays (16 during general election years). For part-time employees, time off rates will be prorated based on the number of hours worked.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access to health care, medical with vision, dental, and prescription plans for both individuals and families, effective from the 1st of the month following your hire date.
• Insurance Options: Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance. Part-time employees working less than 0.5 FTE are not eligible for LTD.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Available for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement Plans: Choose between the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) or the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (MSRPS).
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: include 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), and various Roth options. The university does not provide matching funds.
• Tuition Remission: Immediate availability for Regular Exempt Staff. Spouses and dependent children are eligible for undergraduate tuition remission after two years of service. NOTE: For part-time employees (at least 50 percent of the time), tuition remission benefits are prorated.

Hiring Range:

$151,000.00 - $161,600.00