Enterprise / Strategic Program Manager

Cengage Learning • Massachusetts, MA

120d • $117,100 - $153,000

About The Position

The Enterprise / Strategic Program Manager is a senior leader responsible for driving Cengage's most critical, cross-functional initiatives from conception through execution. This role is pivotal in translating executive-level strategic goals-such as M&A activities, enterprise-wide compliance mandates, or major process re-engineering-into actionable, enterprise-wide programs. They will oversee the end-to-end delivery of complex programs, coordinating the efforts of dozens of teams across technology, product, content, and business units. The Program Manager will establish clarity in uncertain situations, proactively remove barriers, and ensure all collaborators are working towards shared goals. They will build a culture of delivery excellence and reliable execution, serving as a crucial ally to senior leadership across Cengage.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise-level program management, leading complex, cross-functional software development and business initiatives.
• Demonstrated proficiency in program management principles, with the flexibility to blend Agile and Waterfall methodologies to fit complex, large-scale initiatives.
• Proven experience leading programs with significant budgetary oversight and financial accountability.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex issues and articulate clear, actionable recommendations to both executive and team-level audiences.
• A track record of successfully managing fast-paced programs, resolving conflict, and making sound decisions in dynamic environments.
• Ability to understand the technical and business domains applicable to a program and facilitate the resolution of complex issues as they arise.
• Solid experience with project governance tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence) and program reporting tools (e.g., Aha!, Planview, SmartSheet).

Nice To Haves

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience with LEAN principles and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience in an edTech, AI, or technology.
• Experience working in the Product Operating Model (POM).
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships and deliverables with multiple cross-functional resources and third-party vendors.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of large-scale, strategic programs, defining scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and collaborators.
• Own program outcomes, ensuring initiatives like the enterprise accessibility program are delivered timely, within budget, and to the required standard of quality.
• Structure and navigate program execution in ambiguous environments, developing clear paths forward where none exist.
• Serve as the key point of contact for executive sponsors and steering committees, providing clear, concise updates on progress, risks, and financial oversight.
• Govern program-level ceremonies, processes, and reporting, ensuring transparency and alignment across a diverse group of executives, project managers, and business sponsors.
• Advance the identification and mitigation of program-level risks, dependencies, and impediments, resolving conflicts effectively with minimal supervision.
• Coordinate and manage relationships with key external vendors, from selection and contract negotiation to ensuring accountability and timely delivery of services.
• Develop and manage the program's overall budget, including forecasting and tracking of expenses.
• Foster deep collaboration between numerous teams (e.g., 45+ Product Operating Model Tech Teams, offshore partners, content operations, GTS) to coordinate initiatives from inception to delivery.
• Act as a strategic liaison for the program to other initiatives and executive management, ensuring its objectives align with broader corporate strategy.
• Champion and refine a best-practice framework for cross-team communication, integration, and governance to ensure the integrity of the delivery.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Publishing Industries
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree