Senior Program Manager

F5•San Jose, CA

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and seasoned Senior Program Manager to join the Central Operations team at F5. In this high-impact role, you will lead and manage a portfolio of strategic initiatives and programs that drive business growth, innovation, and execution of F5’s highest priorities. This portfolio encompasses each fiscal year’s Missions, directly driving progress toward F5’s multi-year Strategic Promises. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience successfully managing an enterprise's portfolio of high-priority initiatives to deliver measurable business outcomes while leading and mentoring a team of high-performing program managers. This role reports directly to the Director of Central Operations and requires exceptional executive presence and the ability to navigate complex, high-stakes environments with senior leadership. A background in the technology industry plus consulting, or advisory experience is highly preferred, demonstrating expertise in providing strategic guidance, building alignment, and driving transformative initiatives while enabling a program team is required. The candidate must possess high emotional intelligence, strong critical-thinking skills, and a proven ability to work cross-functionally in matrixed organizations. They should excel at influencing stakeholders at all levels, fostering collaboration, and empowering teams to achieve program success.

Requirements

Background in consulting or advisory roles, with expertise in guiding executive teams and senior stakeholders through complex problem-solving and decision-making processes.
Demonstrated experience managing programs or portfolios in cybersecurity, information security, risk management, or related domains.
Proven expertise in managing complex, cross-functional portfolios with competing priorities.
Possess a strong understanding of organizational change management principles, software development lifecycle practices, and hybrid delivery methodologies, including waterfall and agile.
Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program development, resource allocation, budget management, and risk assessment.
Strong business acumen and understanding of enterprise-level processes and the interplay between functions, particularly Product Management and Engineering, Customer Support, Customer Success, Sales, Marketing, Technology Services, Security, Resiliency, Risk, Finance and Accounting
Strong interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and ability to develop effective partnerships across the company to engage, align, and gain stakeholder buy-in.
Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Managing Information Systems, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).
10+ years of experience in portfolio management, program management, or a related leadership role, preferably within the technology sector or certification (e.g., PfMP, PMP, PgMP).
6+ years Background in consulting or advisory roles, with expertise in guiding executive teams and senior stakeholders through complex problem-solving and decision-making processes.

Responsibilities

Promise Portfolio Management: Refine, implement, and maintain the Promise portfolio management framework, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.
Monitor and evaluate 1-2 Promise portfolio performance, identifying risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement. While refining and monitor measures of success / KPIs for the portfolio.
Manage rhythm of business – including communications, status reports, and readouts to stakeholders and leadership
Partner with leaders to draft, refine, and socialize OKRs, ensuring strong alignment between strategy, priorities, and execution.
Strategic Planning: Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders, offering thought leadership, data-driven recommendations, and insights to shape strategic initiatives and ensure effective execution.
Conduct market and industry analysis to inform decisions and identify emerging opportunities.
Create and maintain roadmaps to communicate priorities, timelines, and dependencies to stakeholders.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, IT, HR, Sales, Marketing, Security and Risk Management, to ensure successful delivery of initiatives.
Serve as the primary point of contact for 1-2 Promise status, providing transparent reporting and insights to the Central Operations leadership and executive leadership team.
Facilitate decision-making by presenting data-driven recommendations to senior executives.
Governance and Resource Allocation: Work with leadership team to maintain and refine governance processes to evaluate, prioritize, and approve new initiatives and projects within the portfolio.
Optimize resource allocation across the portfolio, balancing strategic priorities with capacity constraints.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, processes, and standards.
Leadership and Mentorship: Mentor team members, fostering professional development and growth.
Contribute to a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the portfolio management function.