Technical Program Manager, Release Management

PayPal•San Jose, CA

10d

About The Position

Scope: The project & program responsibilities are focused on the delivery of a product or computer-based system from design to release for customers. Develop and manage program plans, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and procurement activities. Coordinate activities across multiple projects to ensure alignment with program objectives. Monitor program performance and implement corrective actions as needed. Communicate program status to stakeholders and executive leadership. Manage program budgets and financials. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and resolve conflicts. Ensure adherence to engineering standards and best practices. Program Design & Governance Establish and maintain the operating model for quarterly Merchant Release Trains, including planning cadences, entry/exit criteria, and success metrics. Define the Co-Development Framework, standardizing integration specifications, solution designs, and merchant engagement workflows. Ensure all products entering the cycle possess clear requirements and cross-functional alignment. Collaborate with Solutions Engineering to ensure integration specs are technically sound and formally approved by all stakeholders. Provide executive-level visibility through consolidated dashboards and strategic reporting. Partner with Legal, Risk, and Privacy teams to ensure all testing agreements and data-use policies are strictly followed. Uphold rigorous quality gates to ensure excellence at every stage of the release lifecycle.

Requirements

5+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven track record of managing complex programs within an engineering environment.
8-10+ years of program management experience within Fintech, E-commerce, or a complex SaaS environment.
Technical Proficiency: Strong understanding of the SDLC and technical integration patterns (APIs, SDKs, and web integrations).
Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to build frameworks and governance structures from the ground up in ambiguous environments.
Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and align diverse teams (Engineering, Sales, and Legal) without formal authority.
Analytical Rigor: Proficiency in data analysis and building dashboards to monitor program health and conversion metrics.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing "Release Trains," Scaled Agile (SAFe), or Program Increment (PI) planning.
Direct experience working with enterprise-level merchants on co-development initiatives.
Deep knowledge of the payments ecosystem (Gateways, Acquirers, Wallets).
Professional certifications such as PMP, PgMP, or CSM

Responsibilities

Develop and manage program plans, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and procurement activities.
Coordinate activities across multiple projects to ensure alignment with program objectives.
Monitor program performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
Communicate program status to stakeholders and executive leadership.
Manage program budgets and financials.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and resolve conflicts.
Ensure adherence to engineering standards and best practices.
Establish and maintain the operating model for quarterly Merchant Release Trains, including planning cadences, entry/exit criteria, and success metrics.
Define the Co-Development Framework, standardizing integration specifications, solution designs, and merchant engagement workflows.
Ensure all products entering the cycle possess clear requirements and cross-functional alignment.
Collaborate with Solutions Engineering to ensure integration specs are technically sound and formally approved by all stakeholders.
Provide executive-level visibility through consolidated dashboards and strategic reporting.
Partner with Legal, Risk, and Privacy teams to ensure all testing agreements and data-use policies are strictly followed.
Uphold rigorous quality gates to ensure excellence at every stage of the release lifecycle.