Senior Technical Program Manager

Best Friends Animal Society

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Technical Program Manager (Sr. TPM) to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex, cross-functional technical programs. In this role, you will serve as a critical bridge between engineering, security, project management, and business stakeholders — aligning priorities, removing roadblocks, and ensuring programs are delivered on time and at scale. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, communicates with clarity at all levels of the organization, and has a proven track record of driving large-scale technical initiatives from inception to completion. Best Friends Animal Society believes in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. They prioritize well-being alongside their mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to their culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies their shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning actions with their Guiding Principles, they strengthen their culture and ensure that their values are lived every day.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in technical program management, with a demonstrated history of delivering large-scale, cross-functional programs in a technology-driven environment.
Strong foundational understanding of software engineering principles, system design, infrastructure concepts, and data engineering practices (e.g., data pipelines, ETL processes, data platforms) — sufficient to engage credibly with engineering and data teams and ask the right questions to anticipate potential risks and/or bottlenecks.
Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent programs in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Experience working directly with security, compliance, or risk teams to incorporate requirements into program delivery.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for both technical and executive audiences.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable working with ambiguity and driving toward clarity.
Demonstrated experience leading without direct authority, building trust and influence across engineering, business, and operational teams.
Proficiency with program and project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, Confluence, Microsoft Project, or similar).
Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, SAFe, and/or other delivery methodologies.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business, or related field — or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience stewarding enterprise-wide AI programs, including driving the adoption, governance, and responsible scaling of AI/ML initiatives across business units.
Experience working with AI governance frameworks, data privacy requirements, or responsible AI principles in an enterprise context.
Familiarity with Master Data Management (MDM) principles and practices, including experience supporting or overseeing programs that involve data governance, data quality, or the consolidation of enterprise data domains.
PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent program management certification.
Experience working with non-profit fundraising data and operations.
Demonstrated ability to build and mature program management practices in a high-growth or transformational environment.
MBA or advanced degree in a technical or business discipline.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end program management for complex, multi-team technical initiatives, including program scoping, planning, execution, risk management, and delivery.
Define and maintain program roadmaps, milestones, and success metrics in alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.
Serve as the primary point of coordination between engineering teams, product, security, project managers, and business stakeholders to ensure consistent communication, alignment, and accountability.
Facilitate cross-functional planning sessions, design reviews, and executive status briefings, translating technical details into business-relevant narratives and vice versa.
Identify, assess, and proactively mitigate program risks and dependencies; escalate critical issues with recommended resolution paths.
Drive alignment on priorities and trade-offs across competing team needs, exercising sound judgment to keep programs on track without sacrificing quality or security.
Partner with engineering leads to ensure technical designs, architecture decisions, and delivery plans are realistic, well-documented, and understood by all stakeholders.
Collaborate with security teams to embed security and compliance requirements into program planning and delivery processes from the outset.
Establish, improve, and scale program management frameworks, processes, and tooling to increase delivery efficiency and predictability across the organization — including building structure from the ground up in ambiguous or early-stage environments where defined playbooks do not yet exist.
Maintain a high-level strategic vision across programs, ensuring that day-to-day technical execution remains tightly aligned with broader organizational goals.
Track and report on program health using defined KPIs and OKRs, providing regular updates to leadership and stakeholders.
Partner closely with the Project Management Office (PMO) to align on project prioritization frameworks, ensuring programs are sequenced in accordance with organizational strategy and capacity.
Collaborate with the PMO on resource allocation and capacity planning, providing visibility into program demands and helping to resolve conflicts across competing initiatives.
Contribute to PMO-led governance processes, including intake reviews, portfolio reporting, and continuous improvement of enterprise delivery standards.