IT Project & Program Manager

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. The recruiter can share more information about what the anticipated hiring rate/salary would be based upon your specific qualifications during the selection process. 

The CIA offers a substantial benefits package that includes medical coverage available at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, a generous paid time off program, and more!

As the benefits package at the CIA results in a significant value above the base hiring salary for this position, we encourage you to apply so that our recruiters can share more information with you about the benefits of working for the CIA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Culinary Institute of America is seeking an IT Project and Program Manager to plan, lead, and ensure on-time delivery of technology initiatives ranging from routine operational tasks to mid-size, cross-functional agile projects. This role is equally responsible for project delivery and for raising the maturity of project management practice across IT.  The Project & Program Manager will be responsible for establishing and maintaining project management standards, templates, and governance that IT teams and key stakeholders use across the organization.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, execute, and close a portfolio of IT initiatives spanning simple task-based work to mid-size agile software and infrastructure projects, including defining scope, schedule, budget, resource needs, and success criteria in partnership with sponsors and IT leadership.
• Run agile ceremonies (sprint planning, standups, reviews, retrospectives) for applicable projects and apply waterfall or hybrid approaches where they fit better.
• Track and report project status, risks, issues, dependencies, and budget variance to sponsors and leadership, and proactively escalate and resolve blockers.
• Develop, document, and maintain a standard project management methodology, templates (charters, status reports, intake forms, etc.), and governance processes for use across IT and by relevant business stakeholders.
• Define and roll out a consistent intake and prioritization process for incoming IT project and enhancement requests.
• Train and coach IT staff and business stakeholders on PM standards, tools, best practices, and champion consistent adoption across teams.
• Recommend and help select project/portfolio management tooling to support the standard methodology.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination between internal delivery teams (development, infrastructure, security, and other IT functions) and business stakeholders across the college.
• Manage relationships with external technology partners and vendors, including coordinating deliverables, timelines, and contract milestones.
• Facilitate clear, regular communication across all parties, tailoring updates to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Five to seven (5-7) years of experience managing IT projects, including developing or improving project management processes, templates, or governance standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFCATIONS

• PMP, CAPM, CSM, or PMI-ACP certification preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Working knowledge of both agile and traditional/waterfall project management approaches.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with external vendors or implementation partners.
• Ability to work effectively with both internal delivery teams and external technology partners and vendors.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical delivery teams, business stakeholders, and leadership.
• Demonstrated experience across both lightweight/task-based coordination and structured, mid-size project or program delivery.
• Ability to move fluidly between tactical task coordination and structured program oversight.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to show a high level of service responsiveness to customers.
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive issues with confidentiality and discretion.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be available to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Regular work requires the use of a computer, sometimes in excess of eight (8) hours per day.