Program Manager, Senior

Independence Pet Group•Chicago, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Independence Pet Holdings (IPH) is seeking a collaborative, results-driven Sr Program Manager to partner closely with Transformation Program Business Owners and Senior Business Leaders in leading complex projects and initiatives as part of a high-impact enterprise transformation. This role will manage projects and initiatives that are focused on optimizing business processes and modernizing core enterprise systems. The Sr Program Manager will play a critical role in advancing a future-ready insurance platform and operating model that strengthens operational efficiency, scalability, and the customer experience. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to drive cross‑functional and enterprise‑wide alignment, manage complex program and project interdependencies, and ensure disciplined execution and delivery of strategic initiatives. This role requires demonstrated experience leading programs within a scaled agile (SAFe) delivery framework and operating across complex, global organizational environments to deliver outcomes on scope, schedule, and budget. Industry experience in Pet insurance is preferred but not required, along with hands‑on experience deploying SaaS technology solutions and exposure to applying AI‑enabled business solutions.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive experience in program management, leading large, complex initiatives.
Proven experience managing external integration partners with accountability for delivery outcomes, contractual compliance, and cross‑partner integration.
Strong understanding of insurance value streams, including quote‑to‑bind, policy lifecycle management, billing and payments, rating engines, underwriting, claims adjudication, and agent and customer servicing.
Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional, virtually staffed programs with budgets exceeding $10M.
Proficiency with the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), including experience coordinating across multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs), value streams, or large solution constructs.
Strong business and technical acumen, with the ability to align complex insurance workflows to enabling technology solutions.
Proven financial management and contractual oversight skills within large, SOW‑driven vendor and partner ecosystems.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to effectively influence and update senior executives and diverse cross‑functional stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Technology Management, or a related discipline.

Nice To Haves

SAFe, PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certifications.
Experience operating within global, matrixed organizational environments.
Direct experience implementing EIS or other core insurance platforms.
Master’s degree in Business, Technology Management, or a related field.
Industry experience in Pet insurance is preferred but not required.
Hands‑on experience deploying SaaS technology solutions.
Exposure to applying AI‑enabled business solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead coordinated program/project delivery as part of IPH’s global insurance transformation, guiding execution across MGAs, system integrators, and business and technology teams.
Partner with global System Integrators (SI) to define delivery scope, dependencies, performance metrics, and integration across insurance value streams.
Apply Scaled Agile (SAFe) principles to structure ARTs, coordinate planning, manage dependencies, and drive iterative delivery across distributed teams.
Oversee/align vendor SOWs, contractual compliance, financials, and delivery quality within internal and external work groups
Collaborate with all technology teams including Enterprise Architecture, Information Security, Data, and Platform teams to ensure end-to-end insurance solution integrity.
Drive program/project program reporting that track KPIs and manage risks, issues, and drive business change management with strong controls and timely escalation.