The Lead Technical Program/Project Manager will identify, plan and coordinate a set of related projects within a program, to manage their interdependencies in support of specific business strategies across Cast, Park Operations, and Retail Technology (CPOR). You will apply project management principles, practices, and techniques to lead and control project schedule, scope, quality, cost and performance risks independently, for multiple complex technology projects. The Lead Technical Program/Project Manager will coordinate the activities of the project team by becoming familiar with project scope and goals, and the role and function of each team member. The Lead Technical Program/Project Manager will work closely with cross-discipline technology teams, leadership and business partners to understand technical and business direction, milestones and budget, and provide thought leadership to project management team.
You will report to the Manager, Technology Program Management
Responsibilities :
Undertake program planning

• Identify, plan, and coordinate a set of related projects within a program, to manage their interdependencies to support specific business strategies
• Plan the delivery of the overall program and its activities in accordance with the mission and the our goals
• Develop and implement long-term objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program
• Participate in the annual budgeting and operating plan to support the program
• Build strong business relationships to establish strategic plans and product roadmaps

Drive project initiation

• Coordinate RFP/RFI process with Sourcing partners for vendor/product selection
• Manage program planning during discovery phases

Manage execution of program

• Coordinate and facilitate delivery of program goals
• Ensure completion of tasks, maintaining program schedule and target dates
• Assess program and project risks and creates mitigation plans, develop and update project budgets, and deliver successful programs and projects in a timely and cost-efficient manner as shown by project statistics
• Lead high-priority matrix projects, which often require considerable resources and high levels of functional integration and interaction with project sponsors and teams
• Conduct program meetings at leadership and executive director levels
• Develop and manage a project change control process to ensure project team operates within the scope of change approval process
• Provide input and feedback to program team members
• Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and take appropriate action to mitigate the risks
• Review available resources to maintain first-hand knowledge of where resources can be best allocated; reevaluate current resources to determine project resource surplus and shortfalls
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and reviews deliverables
• Track progress and reviews program and project activities to make certain deadlines are met appropriately
• Assess program and project issues and identify solutions to meet productivity, quality and customer goals

Prepare and execute program communication

• Ensure all program stakeholders receive orientation and appropriate training observing organizational standards
• Communicate with clients and other stakeholders to gain support for the program or specific projects, and to solicit input to improve the program
• Liaise with managers to ensure effective and efficient program delivery
• Conduct regular program status meetings with all partners, keeping the stakeholder's requirements in view
• Collaborates with development staff and support staff to maintain thorough knowledge of capabilities, and to ensure precise communications between project teams and stakeholders
• Create program presentations and reports for executive leadership, program sponsors and stakeholders
• Present program status and issues to leadership through formal presentations
• Proactively communicate program status, issues, and risks to management

Manage program budget

• Ensure that the program operates within the approved budget
• Monitor all budgeted program expenditures
• Ensure that all financial actuals for the program are up-to-date
• Work with IT Project Controllers to oversee budget expenditures

Provide team mentoring and continue professional development

• Mentor various levels of project managers regarding the project life cycle and project management discipline
• Continue professional development through attendance at meetings, professional seminars and conferences

Support CPOR Program/Project Management Office initiatives

• Support the transformation of the CPOR Technology Program/Project Management Office
• Effectively prepare and present technical and/or educational documentation of assigned projects to enhance the knowledge project team members
• Continue professional development through attendance at meetings, professional seminars and conferences
• Support leadership of project management team and help determine strategic direction of project management function

Basic Qualifications :

• 7+ years of Program/Project management experience (such as: Project Lead, SCRUM Master, Agile Coach) working with technical teams developing enterprise class solutions
• Technical project management expertise for a global or national brand(s), working closely with technology, business and vendor teams
• Hands-on experience with practices such as Agile, Lean, Kanban, Waterfall and extensive experience with functional blending of styles to facilitate collaboration and delivery
• Experience and understanding of architectural and technical aspects of projects
• Excellent organizational, communication (written and verbal) and time management skills with attention to detail
• Experience with Agile Application Lifecycle Management and development tools like JIRA, ALM, Confluence Wiki
• Understanding of Agile technical practices, DevOps and testing concepts (CI/CD, TDD)
• Experience in mentoring teams on project management practices including Agile, Lean, Kanban, Waterfall
• Experience with financial/budget management and complex cost-benefit analysis
• Experience managing and prioritizing projects within the program and working with multiple teams and partners in a matrix organization
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical project management experience in supply chain technology
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
• Agile Certifications (CSM; ACP; CSPO; SAFe; LeSS)
• Experience with portfolio management tools like Clarity
• Experience with collaboration tools like SharePoint, Smartsheets

Required Education :

• Four-year college degree in Information Technology, Business or related field