Vera Solutions - Senior Program Manager

About Vera:

- Join our innovative, global team using technology to transform the way the social sector engages with data.

- We run on passion, blending diverse skill sets and experiences with a collective mission to help organizations tackle challenges and achieve greater impact.

- We encourage all staff to push their own boundaries and drive the company in exciting new directions.

- As a social enterprise and certified B Corporation, we reinvest a majority of our profits in our growth and continued pursuit of our mission and vision.

Position Overview:

- As a Senior Program Manager, you will be the catalyst for the smooth functioning of the Technology department and focal point for the partnerships with other departments.

- This role is pivotal for the success of the Department by being responsible to oversee multiple project lines and coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives across the department and organization.

- This role demands strategic planning and the ability to exercise confident soft influence while coordinating the efforts of cross functional teams as well as the expectations of client stakeholders.

- The ideal candidate will be adept at managing diverse teams, ensuring timely delivery of outcomes, and navigating the complexities of interdepartmental interactions to be leading projects to the finish line.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Project Management & Delivery: Oversee and manage multiple project lines simultaneously, ensuring that all deliverables are completed as per the targeted deadlines, within scope, and to Vera's best practice and quality standards while proactively addressing any issues or potential delays to ensure timely delivery.

- Cross-Functional Coordination: Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between various teams across the company, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and informed throughout the project/deliverables lifecycle.

- Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning: Conduct thorough risk assessments for all projects and develop comprehensive contingency plans to mitigate potential disruptions and ensure project continuity.

- Direction & Guidance: Provide clear direction and guidance to project teams to work towards continuous improvement.

- Ensure teams are working efficiently towards project end goals without direct authority over all contributors.

- Outcome & Output Responsibility: Take full responsibility for the outcomes of all projects, while also being accountable for the outputs of each team and project.

- Maintain a healthy and constructive culture by ensuring teams are coherent and collaborative.

- Scrum Practices & Agile Methodologies: Utilize deep knowledge of Scrum practices and Agile methodologies to drive project success, including effective implementation and facilitation of Scrum ceremonies.

- Be an expert on Jira to manage project tracking, reporting, and team collaboration.

- Developer Allocations & Resource Planning: Oversee developer allocations and resource planning to ensure optimal utilization of team members and alignment with project needs.

- Unblocking & Efficiency: Proactively identify and resolve any obstacles or bottlenecks hindering team progress, and channelize process efficiencies to enhance overall productivity.

- Proactively flag potential disruptions and work with a forward looking approach.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required:

- Minimum of 10-12 years of experience in project/program management, with a strong focus on Agile methodologies and Scrum practices.

- Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and leading cross-functional teams.

Skills:

- Deep understanding of Scrum and Agile practices.

- Proficient in Jira and other project management tools.

- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

- Strong problem-solving abilities and strategic /forward thinking approach.

- Proven track record in risk management and proactive contingency planning.

- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with limited authority.

Desirable:

- Knowledge of other Agile approaches: XP, Kanban, Crystal, FDD, etc.

- Knowledge and/or experience with widely successful Agile techniques: ATDD, TDD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Testing, Pairing, Automated Testing, Agile Games