IT Program Manager

Transamerica • Cedar Rapids, IA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As an IT Program Manager, you will lead the project and program management of complex, cross-functional technology initiatives across a portfolio of change and operational activities. Acting as the central liaison between IT and business stakeholders, you will ensure alignment with strategic goals through structured intake, governance, and delivery oversight. This role provides direction in setting goals and performance of the program including project planning, execution, quality, cost, staffing and resource allocation across delivery and support teams. You will foster transparency and trust through proactive communication, risk management, and continuous improvement, while upholding governance standards and enabling successful outcomes across the supported programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a business related field or equivalent training/experience required.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience with at least 5 years’ experience managing complex multisystem and/or multiple department projects.
• Strong organizational skills (planning, prioritizing) and communication skills (written, verbal, listening) are critical to this position, as are the ability to successfully adapt to diverse people and situations, manage conflict, proactively resolve issues, and strong time management.
• Developed skills in leadership, relationship building, negotiation and influence, and facilitation techniques.
• Effectively interact with staff and management at all levels, including C-level executives.
• Solid understanding of Project Management methodologies and principles, and relies on strong technical and analytical skills.
• Serve in a mentoring and leadership role, and must be able to influence without direct organizational authority.
• Expert level skills relating to project management theory, tools and practice

Nice To Haves

• Delivering initiatives using both waterfall and agile methodologies.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, PgMP, SAFe, ITIL).
• Proficiency in financial planning, forecasting, and vendor coordination, including budget tracking and resource onboarding/offboarding.
• Familiarity with enterprise tools such as Jira and ServiceNow systems.
• Exposure to release management, IT operations, and support performance metrics.
• Background in managing global programs and coordinating across distributed teams.
• Good understanding of the insurance and financial services industry.

Responsibilities

• All aspects of program and project management for key initiatives.
• Assisting with PMO governance duties, including reporting, assessing and monitoring health of key projects and team adherence to tool and process requirements.
• Drive new requests through the intake process, engaging business portfolio teams as appropriate.
• Oversee program financials, including budget performance and expense forecasting.
• Manage capacity and allocation of all time-and-materials (T&M) contractors across delivery and technical functions.
• Manage major program initiatives; assist management in defining the strategic plans for programs that align with business goals and objectives.
• Manages interdependencies and common critical path milestones across the projects, facilitating risk management, issue escalation/resolution, scope change and implementation planning.
• Manage multiple large and complex projects with responsibility for meeting scope, timeline, budget, and quality commitments.
• Directs decision making, communications, problem resolution, and other associated activities during all phases of large and complex projects using a proactive and positive approach.
• Promotes formal communication methods and establishes open and consistent communication with all levels within the organization (including project teams, stakeholders, management, and other Enterprise Technology functions).
• Defines and directs formal communication methods and establishes open and consistent communication with all levels within the organization.
• Provides status reports and facilitates inter-program communication.
• Provides appropriate progress updates to management, steering committees, project boards and other stakeholders, using both formal and informal channels.
• Responsible for consulting, directing, mentoring, and checking the work of other project management professionals.
• Directs activities of multiple project managers responsible for individual projects within a program; holds teams accountable for meeting goals and objectives.
• Identifies and leads program and project process improvement activities

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Bonus for Eligible Employees
• Benefits Package
• Pension Plan
• 401k Match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Discounts
• Career Training & Development Opportunities
• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.
• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays).
• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars
• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Back-Up Care Program
• PTO for Volunteer Hours
• Employee Matching Gifts Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Inclusion and Diversity Programs
• Employee Recognition Program
• Referral Bonus Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree