Senior Program Manager Jobs

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement , this full time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and annual salary range of $72,790 - $121,318.

Location - North campus. This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in person

Department Summary

The Project Management Office (PMO) within Information Services and Technology (IST) leads the delivery of University-wide technology projects and programs. We work in partnership with our clients to improve services, facilitate change, and ensure projects deliver their intended business outcomes. The team is also accountable for developing, implementing, and improving practices, tools, and other supports to help ensure successful project delivery

Position Summary

Are you a technology project management professional with demonstrated expertise in program delivery?

Are you thrilled by the prospect of developing a technology program community of practice at one of Canada’s top universities?

Are you ready to take your project management career to the next level?

If so, we want to talk with you!

Reporting to the Manager of the Project Management Office (PMO), the Senior Program Manager is accountable to lead and guide the delivery of information technology programs and projects that provide business solutions across the University. This includes planning, executing, and delivering mission critical programs/projects on time, within budget, and in accordance with the defined scope. A program may be a large, complex, multi-faceted project or a series of smaller projects that build towards a common set of business objectives and outcomes

The Senior Program Manager works with IST Unit Directors, Sr. IT Partners, and other key stakeholders to develop multi-year program roadmaps that enable the delivery of the University’s technology strategy. This role further supports the development of roadmaps by leading the development of project/program proposals that include resource and budget requirements. This role also participates in the IT governance process through the review and assessment of proposals submitted through the technology governance process.

The Senior Program Manager acts as the primary contact for the planning and delivery of assigned information technology programs that support the University’s strategic directions, initiatives, and service developments.

The Senior Program Manager builds and maintains strong working relationships with senior IST and faculty/college/central unit stakeholders. The position consults with key sponsors to understand the goals and objectives for a specific initiative, project, or program, and provide advice on the effective delivery of technology solutions

The Senior Program Manager defines program scope and objectives, identifies required resources, and oversees the efforts of assigned program resources. Critical tasks include efficient delivery of program deliverables, effective quality control, clear communication of expectations to stakeholders, and reporting to senior management.

The Senior Program Manager works with the Manager of the PMO to establish and evolve program and project management frameworks, tools and techniques, and in fostering the adoption of these frameworks to increase project and program success across the University

Duties

Technology Governance

• Supports IST Directors and Managers in the definition, assessment and prioritization of IST-driven and managed projects and initiatives
• Actively participates in the review and assessment of proposals submitted through the technology governance processes, engaging IST and other University stakeholders as required
• Provides guidance, advice, and support to the University community regarding the technology governance processes

Program Planning

• Identifies resources and provides input into budgets required to support roadmaps and strategies
• Prepares and presents executive briefings and program / portfolio plans for IST Executive and University senior leadership
• Works with IST Directors and Sr. IT Partners to identify and define potential projects and programs and to develop roadmaps that support the University’s technology strategy
• Actively participates in the development of specific strategies to support IST’s and the University’s long-term direction (e.g., enterprise applications, hybrid learning, security, technology optimization)
• Understands programs and services delivered by IST and across the University to identify shared opportunities and to ensure impacts of decisions / direction are understood

Program Management and Delivery

• Establish and maintain client satisfaction with program progress and outcomes
• Assumptions, and issues are identified.
• Work closely with program sponsors to clearly define the program scope, expected outcomes and benefits.
• Recognize and take steps to address barriers to cooperation, collaboration, and positive communication.
• Working with business units within IST and across the University to obtain required resources.
• Ensure the development of timelines, milestones and deliverables, using the appropriate practices and tools.
• Ensure resource requirements and roles and responsibilities are defined and that risks,
• Identify and resolve resource capacity issues.
• Establish and deliver mechanisms for tracking progress and reporting to stakeholders.
• Supervise and manage a team of project delivery professionals; coach, mentor, guide, support and evaluate the performance of PMO team members and contractors
• Clearly convey information to a variety of audiences to ensure key messages are delivered and understood and an open and transparent approach to communication is developed.
• Ensure post-project reviews are conducted to identify strengths and areas for improvement; make recommendations based on findings.
• Work closely with non-IST units responsible for leading projects that impact IST services and/or resources though active participation in Working Groups and/or Steering Committees
• Monitor the efforts and billing of third parties, such as consultants, contractors, and other specialists.
• Lead the development of cost estimates and budgets for program implementation and ongoing operations
• The Senior Program Manager acts as the primary contact responsible for defining, planning and delivering programs that achieve defined business outcomes. This involves managing the full program lifecycle from planning through to execution. Key activities include:

Practices, Methodologies and Frameworks

• Works with the Manager of the PMO and the PMO team to continually assess and improve project and program delivery methodologies, frameworks, standards and practices, including:
• Project, program and portfolio management
• Resource management
• Project intake, assessment and prioritization processes
• Technology strategy and roadmap development
• Provides support and guidance to IST Team Leads regarding effective resource planning
• Technology governance models and approaches
• Provides guidance and support to IST Directors, Managers and Team Leads in the application of project management practices and principles for smaller-scale projects and initiatives managed within operational teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in program creation and execution of project/program management methods.
• Experience working in the technology field at a senior level.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as project management, business administration.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-faceted programs in a large organization.
• Experience working with senior levels within a large organization.
• Experience mentoring, coaching and guiding others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project and/or program management certification preferred.
• Development of presentations for a broad range of audiences; facilitation of meetings, feedback sessions, and briefings for communication and to create consensus among stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of technology management, financial management, and internal controls.
• Technology domain expertise an asset.
• Understanding of organizational structures to manage cross-unit resource allocation.
• This position also requires skills that encompass planning, organizing, resourcing, financial management, procurement, contract management, vendor relationship management, and logistics.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships within IST, University faculties, colleges and central units and other stakeholders.
• Experience in a post-secondary environment an asset.
• Effective negotiation and conflict resolutions skills.
• Superior communication skills, verbally and in writing, with stakeholders of different backgrounds (technical or business) at all levels within an organization.
• Strong problem identification and resolution skills.
• Flexibility to adjust to shifting priorities and deadlines.