Advanced Program Manager

Kroger•Blue Ash, OH

About The Position

We are looking for a people/process/technology leader, able to drive change in a large IT organization. This role will initially manage two projects to implement AI technologies, and support the overall AI Enablement program at Kroger. Subsequent opportunities will involve large enterprise-wide program leadership. Responsible for the execution of large projects/programs across the company. Lead and direct the work of assigned resources. Provide leadership and guidance to cross-functional teams. Apply project management principles and frameworks to guide and serve teams that deliver technology solutions. Partner to support agile and product centric ways of working. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Requirements

MINIMUM 4+ years of experience in leadership position delivering large and/or complex projects
Advanced problem solving and organizational skills
Expertise and experience in delivering larger and/or complex programs to meet organization objective in a program management capacity with Agile teams
Advanced ability in team motivation and delegation
Advanced communication , negotiation and presentation skills to effectively communicate information and influence within the organization
Advanced knowledge of project management, program management, and portfolio concepts, practices, and procedures and technology /project life cycle
PMP Certification or Project/Program Management certification equivalent or willingness to obtain

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in related field or equivalent work experience

Responsibilities

Deliver program management responsibilities using appropriate project management methods and tools whether predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches
Execute programs within accepted disciplines using leading enterprise tools (planning, measuring, and controlling)
Promote and demonstrate collaboration, team accountability and transparency
Demonstrate expert ability to direct work when priorities shift, facilitate issue resolution, and lead/refine communications
Provide coaching and mentoring for Project Managers and Program Managers
Build relationships and partnerships with Engineering, Agile Delivery, Product, Portfolio, Business and 3rd party Application Vendors across assigned domains while leading strategic programs
Collaborate to create strategy to implement and ensure adoption of Kroger's leading practices
Partner with key stakeholders in Engineering, Agile Delivery, Product, Portfolio and Business for program definition and execution; to develop resource plan for program execution; and to coordinate creation and definition of 3rd party contract(s)
Partner with Product Management to encourage synergy and alignment in delivery, provide clarity, and foster collaboration with stakeholders in a consistent way
Facilitate engagement of teams for quality, compliance, and security leading practices
Lead and direct the work of Project Managers, Program Managers, and assigned resources to strategically address critical and/or complex program(s)/ solution(s)/Product Group(s), in partnership with Engineering, Agile Delivery, Product, Business and 3rd party Application Vendors; and effectively leads KTD large scale organizational change initiatives
Participate in strategic program planning
Serve as advisor and participates in planning to assess needs and make recommendations on staffing, team structure, forecasting, and communication planning; and oversees team onboarding to program assignments
Share information with peers and others in the project/program community; leads practices in COE meetings; and participates in special projects
Lead and participate in sensitive/confidential initiatives using discretion
Participate in candidate review/recommendation; and ensures PMO leading practices are used by contracted Project Managers and Program Managers in Programs
Ensure that organizational change impacts are considered and required resources are included in planning
Partner with Portfolio team to drive consistency in contract execution; and manages the integration of vendor tasks
Monitor and manage budget/capacity plan variances; and partners with Portfolio team to build, review and adjust forecasts
Demonstrate organizational awareness, business acumen, and a cohesive, broad view to identify inconsistencies, recognize critical enablers and delivery interdependencies in order to raise awareness and drive conversations
Create and communicate data-driven reporting to stakeholders to highlight progress and readiness for delivery/rollout; recommends and strategizes plan adjustments; and implements plan changes based on stakeholder alignment
Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge and efficacy in multiple domains; and identifies, enables and facilitates cross-domain connections
Document issues, risks, decisions and leads team to develop mitigations and escalations
Travel to offsite locations as needed
Must be able to perform the essential job functions of this position with or withoutreasonable accommodation