Senior IT Program Manager - Stellar IT Solutions LLC

Job Title: Senior IT Program Manager 
Job Location: Chesterfield, MO 
Interview: Virtual 
Job Duration: 6+ Months 

General Summary:

Performs highly advanced project management tasks with minimal supervision, collaborating closely with key stakeholders. This role requires significant independent judgment and innovative completion strategies. Responsibilities encompass managing very large and complex programs, multiple projects, or multiple workstreams in a global program. The IT Program Manager foresees complex challenges and uses experience and creativity to develop technology and business solutions that support strategic initiatives across diverse departments, divisions, or regions.

Responsibilities:

• Utilizes expert knowledge of best practices, extensive project management experience, advanced domain expertise, and problem-solving skills to improve products, processes, and services.
• Sets expectations and communicates standards for effective project management across the project portfolio, including developing charters, plans, schedules, and budgets; allocating resources; monitoring performance against schedule, budget, and quality targets; managing changes, issues, and risks; and providing regular updates to program teams, stakeholders, and other areas within the organization.
• Creates and manages program plans and other program controls, directing the work of other project managers. Anticipates risks and issues and devises complex mitigation strategies to deliver solutions that extend beyond the department, division, or region.
• Provides leadership and direction to other project management professionals and team members, ensuring the creation and management of project plans and controls.
• Cultivates broad partnerships and applies advanced leadership strategies to develop sophisticated solutions and innovative strategies that enhance products and services, delivering business value.
• Proactively monitors industry trends, new business initiatives, and strategic business and technology projects across the organization. Develops insights, advocates for solutions, and communicates ideas effectively across the organization.
• Develops strategic plans to meet long-term project commitments, identifying assumptions, dependencies, and constraints that may impact successful project execution and delivery of business objectives. Initiates cross-functional discussions and provides creative solutions based on business knowledge, domain expertise, and project management experience.
• Ensures organizational change management principles and proven practices are implemented across the program to assess change readiness and influence a comprehensive change management strategy, ensuring the adoption of delivered solutions and realization of expected benefits.
• May supervise or manage up to four employees, overseeing the team's performance and providing coaching and mentorship.

Requirements:

Education:

• Required: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Preferred: Master's degree
• Professional designation such as Project Management Professional (PMP), ITIL, or other relevant industry certification
• Training or certification in the life insurance or financial services industry

Experience:

• Required:

  • 10+ years of relevant experience in project coordination or project management
  • Intermediate to advanced program management skills; demonstrated ability to negotiate, mediate, and influence project teams, key stakeholders, and Executive Leadership
  • Expert project management, leadership, and vendor management skills; demonstrated ability to evaluate stakeholder objectives and scope for feasibility, understanding, and scheduling to ensure projects meet success criteria and deliver business value
  • Highly advanced people management skills; demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop associates, including effective delegation
  • Expert knowledge and experience with various software development methodologies; ability to discern "fit for purpose" methods and apply rationale to achieve desired project outcomes
  • Advanced knowledge of finance and accounting principles; ability to apply financial management principles to projects
  • Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and work under tight timelines; manage team dynamics in stressful conditions
  • Expert oral and written communication skills; ability to convey ideas clearly and concisely, including preparing and delivering presentations to large groups
  • Advanced investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to translate business needs and problems into viable technology solutions
  • Expert customer relationship and stakeholder management skills; ability to resolve conflicts and foster teamwork
  • Experience managing large cross-functional, international, and global projects; ability to lead virtual teams across diverse geographies and time zones

• Preferred:

  • 12+ years of complex project management experience in a fast-paced technology, financial services, or insurance environment
  • Expert risk mitigation and issue resolution skills; ability to identify challenges and determine solutions
  • Expert communication and change management skills; ability to effectively target communications and influence a wide range of audiences, from individual contributors to senior leaders
  • Advanced knowledge and practical experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies
  • Leadership of Project Management Office (PMO) and/or portfolio managers