Manager of Technical Programs

Who we are:

Electra is reinventing iron production to tackle the nearly 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions produced from iron and steelmaking. Its patented process uses chemistry and renewable energy to transform a variety of grades of iron ore into environmentally responsible pure iron at scale. By maximizing the value of Earth’s resources and minimizing our environmental footprint and carbon emissions, Electra is forging a green future from the ground up. With a collaborative culture and passion for disrupting the status quo, careers at Electra offer challenge, reward, and the opportunity to bring to market solutions that dramatically improve the health of the planet. 

What you will do: 

The Manager of Technical Programs will assist in the creation of a Project Management Office (PMO) at Electra, helping to establish and monitor project management standards. This position serves the PMO as a player/coach and will be responsible for leading and mentoring employees involved in the management of technical projects for Electra. They will guide direct reports and drive the successful execution of complex projects through the entire project lifecycle. While directing Technical Project Managers (TPMs) in maintaining a high quality of work within their managed projects, the Manager of Technical Programs will be responsible for the strategic use of resources across projects within their responsibility. There will be multiple projects in progress requiring attention at any given time.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Attract, develop, and retain a team of professionals responsible for the technical project management needs of the organization.  
• Effectively provide leadership and direction so that the team is focused on the organization's priorities. 
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex engineering projects, ensuring quality, scope, budget, and timelines are met. 
• Contribute to the project standardization efforts of the PMO by critically examining existing project documentation templates and by suggesting additions or changes. 
• Oversee projects for adherence to PMO standards and take action as needed 
• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of technical projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technical requirements. 
• Monitor project statuses, continuously probing for opportunities for acceleration and accounting for potential risks. 
• Facilitate communication and coordination across teams, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout the project lifecycle 
• Lead discussions of current and upcoming work, then synthesize information and organize it into proposed projects. 
• Track multiple simultaneous projects for resourcing conflicts and propose solutions as appropriate. 
• Develop relationships with team members and adjust project management techniques to best suit individual needs. 
• Support project activities as capacity allows; collaborate with Procurement and Supply Chain department to maintain vendor relationships. 
• Exercises independent judgement in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results 
• Communicate project status information through in-person meetings as well as digital reports. 
• Other duties as assigned  

What we need you to bring to the team (Requirements):  

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or a related field  
• 8+ years of industry experience working in Project Management, Program Management or related technical field required (excludes internships, co-ops, and other school projects), or 6+ years of industry experience with a master’s degree, or 3+ years of industry experience with a Ph.D. 
• 3+ years of industry leadership experience 
• Expert knowledge of project management methodologies, including critical path analysis and agile processes 
• Experience with rapidly and critically analyzing projects, developing risk matrices and risk mitigations. 
• Proven success delivering complex projects on-time and within budget 
• Ability to lead and contributes to the development of company objectives and principles to achieve goals in a creative and effective way 
• Strong leadership and team management skills 
• Strong ability to convey advanced information and persuade several diverse stakeholders and audiences 
• Requires conceptual thinking to understand advanced issues and implications 
• Knowledge of engineering design, concepts, principles, practices, and procedures 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Asana and other relatable project management tools.  

What we want you to bring to the team (Preferred) :  

• PMP certified 
• Experience with Microsoft Projects 
• Previous experience in a start-up environment