IT Program Manager

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

We are seeking an experienced IT Program Manager to join our team in Bloomington, MN. The program manager will drive the technology strategy and projects for Dairy Queen, including corporate and retail systems. The Program Manager will act as the primary point of contact for Information Technologies to operate cross-functionally and manages the strategic design, planning and execution of systems and processes from design to end of life. Manages and interfaces with internal and external technology resources, third party technical partners, and cross-functional business teams.

Ensures the strategic solution programs are delivered on time, within scope, budget and with quality. Leads the successful delivery (development, deployment and adoption) of programs that are critical for Dairy Queen. These programs have direct correlations to bringing new solutions to market and generating additional revenue for the company and franchisees. Being effective in this role requires a natural ability to lead, build strong trusting partnerships across the organization and drive progress. This requires a highly resourceful individual who thrives in a fast-moving, complex environment requiring strong emotional intelligence and self-motivation. Ability to influence & energize diverse set of stakeholders towards a common goal.

Key Accountabilities Include:

Information Technology Program Management

• Lead cross functional team whose charter includes delivering/leading key strategic solutions for DQ (Enterprise and Retail Technology).
• Development and execution of project plan and all related tasks. Ability to manage multiple project teams across various phases of project lifecycle Manage program budget, resources and timelines.
• Deliver solutions on time, on budget, on scope with high quality. This is critical for the Program Manager to drive.
• Develop and execute change management plans as needed by programs.
• Ensure the solution is ready for market and cross functional deliverables are being completed and in line with the project plan.

Information Technology Project Management

• Develop and maintain a project management methodology and framework to integrate, deploy, and sustain strategic initiatives into the DQ Information Technology ecosystem.
• Interface with a broad spectrum of organization from senior leadership to subject matter experts (SMEs) to identify organization needs and develop sustainable technology solutions.
• Oversee I.T. governance as it relates to intake, prioritization and risk management of I.T. initiatives
• Development and execution of project plan and all related tasks. Ability to manage multiple project teams across various phases of project lifecycle

Information Technology Architecture and Administration

• Develop technology roadmaps for Enterprise Systems and Retail Technology.
• Assess feature functionality and recommend implementation and usage.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and consultants to support and drive information technologies.
• Ensure training for system implementation, support, and configuration.
• Provide escalation support for franchisees and vendors as applicable.
• When new releases arrive, work with vendor to understand (at an expert level) all system configurations, capabilities, and limitations.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field and/or equivalent technical work experience.
• 5-8+ years of experience in technology project management, implementation, support, and administration.
• Proven experience managing complex projects and programs involving the integration of technology solutions, applications and services.

Skills:

• Strong ability to manage high visibility program across various cross functional teams.
• Experience working with project management tools (MS Project, Asana, etc.).
• Experience with the software development life cycle (SDLC), including familiarity with eLearning software development and publishing for LMS systems.
• Project management experience with cross-functional project teams and subject matter experts.
• Technical writing experience, including technical requirements documentation, test plans, process documents, and comprehensive user guides as well as support/job aids and training materials.
• Attention to detail to work within complex data management and data warehousing environments.
• Ability to identify, design and construct solutions and operating procedures to address specific business needs as well as implement process improvements where identified.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, including formal presentation and/or training skills.
• Excellent customer service, issue investigation, troubleshooting, and problem resolution skills.
• Creative negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Ability to translate technical concepts/topics into simple language for non-technical audiences and vice versa.
• Ability to collaborate and work with cross-functional teams of both technical and non-technical backgrounds.
• Advanced computer skills and an understanding of computer hardware, networking, and software applications, including advanced skills/experience with MS Access, MS PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook.

The US national base salary range for this position is $125,699- $157,123. This position is also eligible for a bonus. The base salary range displayed reflects the targeted hiring range for positions across all US locations. Individual pay is determined by job-related skills, work location and relevant education or experience.

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

Benefits

Our benefit package supports the well-being of our employees and their families.  Our comprehensive benefit package includes, medical, dental, 401K match, paid time off (including volunteer time as well as parental leave) and so much more!  To learn more about our great benefit offerings, Click Here.

Work Environment

Most positions located out of our global headquarters in Bloomington, MN will work a hybrid work schedule where you will work 2 collaboration days a week.  Additional in office time may be required to support team/project needs.  Positions will be identified as “remote eligible” when consideration will be given to candidates outside of drivable distance to our Bloomington office.

Inclusion & Belonging

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging for all who touch DQ. We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work, and where we recruit, engage, and retain employees, franchise owners, and suppliers based on qualifications and merit. We strive to maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new team members. You must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.