Program Manager - Newark, NJ (Hybrid Role)

Program Manager
Location: This position is in New Jersey. The qualified candidate is required to be in a commutable distance and able to go in to client offices as needed. This is typically one to two days a week.
Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension

Responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage an IT program by providing oversight of projects within the program. This includes managing the program budget and ensuring the program meets the schedule and scope targets.
• Responsible driving the stakeholders through the project lifecycle by managing expectations and timelines to meet project goals.
• Monitoring risks, issues, dependencies such that they minimize impact across the portfolio
• Ensuring the IT projects are aligned with business initiatives of communications and meter mass deployment through steady state deployment.
• Ensuring coordination of schedule and objectives across business and IT project initiatives and on-going operations.
• Responsible for communication including executive reporting and status updates to IT and business senior management.
• Provides an escalation point for project issues and problem resolution
• Monitoring, approving, and ensuring delivery of project deliverables throughout the lifecycle including, but not limited to:

• Project Execution Plan
• Project Schedule
• Monthly Cost Forecast Review
• Project Status Reports
• Test Management Plan
• Deployment Management Plan
• Operational Readiness
• Risk/Issue/Action/Decisions/Dependency Log

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor s Degree in Business, Information Technology, or similar degree with 12+ years of relevant work experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience with IT project management methodologies and working with a Project Management Office through a stage gate process
• Experience in managing program team members and outsourced vendors as part of program execution
• Excellent decision-making and organizational skills are required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with effective presentation skills
• Proven analytical, evaluative, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to develop working relationships with the program team, other IT teams and the business areas.
• Work independently and follows through on assignments with minimal direction while keeping the team informed
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection and other guidelines where appropriate

Preferred Qualifications

• Domain knowledge in the utility industry is preferable
• PMP preferred
• Experience with MS Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or related platforms