Lead Program Manager

Mastercard • Arlington, VA

2d

About The Position

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Title and Summary Lead Program Manager Position Overview The Lead Program Manager will drive strategic initiatives and ensure successful delivery of complex programs across multiple domains. This role requires strong leadership, governance, and communication skills to manage cross-functional teams, optimize processes, and deliver measurable outcomes aligned with organizational objectives.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology, or related field; Master’s is a bonus.
• Experience: 8+ years in multi-project or program management. The ability to lead teams to successful outcomes is essential.
• Proven expertise in governance frameworks, budget support, and driving program roadmaps
• Strong proficiency in JIRA, project portfolio tools, and reporting systems.
• Experience operating at scale (multiple teams, dependencies, products)

Nice To Haves

• PMP, PgMP, or similar certification.
• Experience in security programs or regulated environments.
• Ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Champion Program Delivery Excellence (PDE) and enforce work standardization across projects.
• Drive adoption of tools such as JIRA/AHA and maintain data integrity in supporting tools.
• Develop and maintain program scoring models, roadmaps, and strategic plans.
• Define and track objectives, OKRs, and KPIs to measure success.
• Oversee work intake, elaboration, prioritization, and planning for programs.
• Provide project oversight, ensuring alignment with technical imperatives and compliance with OKRs.
• Deliver accurate and timely reporting to stakeholders.
• Ensure Governance to Mastercard Program standards across all in scope Products and Services
• Lead stakeholder management and ensure effective information flow across teams.
• Drive change management initiatives and facilitate lessons learned sessions as needed.
• Represent programs in cabinet meetings and executive forums.
• Manage contracts, renewals, and strategic funds for programs as needed.
• Partner with leaders to ensure staffing plans are defined and discretionary spend plans are reviewed and ready for the budget lifecycle.
• Conduct efficiency exercises and assist with vendor/procurement activates as needed.
• Identify and understand program risks ensuring mitigation plans are included in product roadmaps.
• Monitor performance metrics and enforce quality assurance standards.

Benefits

• Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more.
• Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees