IT Program Manager (Technical Program Manager)
Location: San Diego, CA (Hybrid, 3 days onsite)
Alternate Location: Mountain View, CA
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead and deliver large-scale, mission-critical technology initiatives across a highly matrixed organization. This role is ideal for a proven TPM who thrives in complex environments, drives program-level ownership, partners closely with Engineering and Product teams, and communicates effectively with executive leadership.
The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating strategic programs across multiple scrum teams, aligning business objectives with technical execution, managing dependencies, mitigating risks, and ensuring successful delivery of key business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and drive end-to-end program planning, execution, and delivery for large-scale technical initiatives.
- Align business unit, portfolio, and program strategies while helping teams understand how their work contributes to broader organizational objectives.
- Define program priorities and proactively identify risks, trade-offs, and recommendations for stakeholders.
- Develop and communicate program status, milestones, dependencies, and risks to technical and executive audiences.
- Lead cross-functional dependency management across Engineering, Product Management, Design, Analytics, and other stakeholder groups.
- Break down complex programs into manageable workstreams with clear ownership and accountability.
- Establish scalable governance, reporting, and operating mechanisms aligned with Agile and Scaled Agile principles.
- Create decision-making frameworks and facilitate effective prioritization and executive decision-making.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies and drive stakeholder alignment on resolution plans.
- Use data, dashboards, and metrics to assess program health, measure progress, and drive informed decisions.
- Coordinate execution across multiple scrum teams operating within a large organizational structure.
- Partner closely with engineering teams to understand technical dependencies, architecture considerations, and delivery risks.
Required Qualifications
Top 3 Core Skills
- Program-level ownership of large, complex technical initiatives.
- Executive-level communication and stakeholder management.
- Strong partnership with Engineering and Product organizations.
Experience
- 8+ years of experience delivering complex technical programs as a Technical Program Manager within a matrixed organization.
- Demonstrated success managing mission-critical programs involving multiple cross-functional teams.
- Experience operating at scale across several Agile/Scrum teams and large organizations.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders across all organizational levels, including senior leadership and executives.
- Experience driving program execution from strategy through delivery and operationalization.
Technical & Program Management Skills
- Strong understanding of software development methodologies, system architecture, and product development lifecycles.
- Extensive experience with Agile and Scaled Agile frameworks.
- Strong program planning, dependency management, risk management, and execution skills.
- Proficiency with Smartsheet for planning, scheduling, milestone tracking, and reporting.
- Experience using collaboration and productivity tools such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and related platforms.
- Strong data literacy with the ability to analyze program metrics, dashboards, and trends to drive action.
- Familiarity with AI-powered productivity tools such as Claude, Gemini, or similar platforms.
- Ability to synthesize complex technical and business information into actionable insights for leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in FinTech environments, including tax, accounting, payments, or financial platforms.
- Experience supporting SaaS and cloud-native platforms.
- AWS cloud experience.
- Familiarity with data analytics, AI/ML concepts, and data-driven product development.
- PMP, Agile, SAFe, or related certifications.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
- PMP, Agile, SAFe, or equivalent program management certifications are highly desired.
What We're Looking For
- A proven Technical Program Manager, not a Product Manager transitioning into TPM responsibilities.
- Self-driven, independent leader who can quickly gain context and drive execution with minimal oversight.
- Strong communicator capable of articulating complex technical challenges, risks, and blockers to both technical and business audiences.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance business priorities, technical constraints, and stakeholder expectations.
- Collaborative leader who can build alignment across Engineering, Product, Design, Analytics, and executive stakeholders.
Technical Program Manager, TPM, Program Management, Agile, SAFe, Smartsheet, AWS, FinTech, SaaS, Cloud, Executive Communication, Dependency Management, Risk Management, Engineering, Product Management, Analytics, AI Tools, Claude, Gemini.
Technical Program Manager, TPM, Program Management, Agile, SAFe, Smartsheet, AWS, FinTech, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Executive Communication, Stakeholder Management, Dependency Management, Risk Management, Cross-Functional Leadership, Engineering, Product Management, Data Analytics, Program Governance, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
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