Program Manager, Product & Planning

The Program Manager, Product & Planning is responsible for the successful planning, execution, monitoring, controlling, and closure of cross-functional capital programs, with a strong emphasis on capital management and prioritization. This role requires a highly organized and detail-oriented individual with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, and a proven ability to optimize resource allocation and deliver maximum ROI. The Program Manager will work closely with product managers, engineering, marketing, finance, and other stakeholders to track progress against strategic initiatives, supporting re-prioritization efforts as needed to ensure business targets are met or exceeded.  This position requires a deep understanding of product development in Agile delivery, capital budgeting, finance controls, and the ability to manage complex projects with multiple dependencies and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, including detailed timelines, budgets, resource allocation, risk assessments, and capital expenditure justifications.
• Lead cross-functional program teams, facilitating communication, collaboration, and prioritization among stakeholders, aligning projects with overall strategic goals and available capital.
• Track program progress against plan, identifying and mitigating risks and issues proactively, and adjusting resource allocation to optimize outcomes and maximize ROI.
• Manage program budgets, ensuring adherence to financial constraints and optimizing capital expenditure. Conduct regular cost-benefit analyses and variance reporting.
• Conduct regular program status meetings, providing clear and concise updates to senior management, including key performance indicators (KPIs) related to capital efficiency and return on investment.
• Define and manage program scope, ensuring alignment with product strategy, business objectives, and available capital resources.
• Develop and implement program governance processes, including change management, issue resolution, and capital allocation prioritization frameworks.
• Identify and manage program dependencies, ensuring smooth integration across teams and optimizing resource utilization to minimize capital expenditure.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks that could impact program success, including those related to capital investment and return.
• Utilize project management tools and methodologies to manage programs effectively, incorporating capital budgeting and forecasting techniques.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization, including finance and executive leadership.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of product development processes, focusing on enhancing capital efficiency and ROI.
• Participate in product strategy discussions and contribute to product roadmap development, considering capital constraints and prioritization frameworks.
• Support the development of product specifications and requirements, incorporating cost-benefit analysis and ROI considerations.
• Develop and present financial proposals and justifications for capital investment in new product development initiatives.
• Support and drive other Product Management activities, including lifecycle management, marketing strategies, and financial analysis

Critical Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in program management, preferably in a product development environment, with a demonstrable track record of successful capital management.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget, maximizing ROI.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and capital budgeting processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on financial analysis and optimization.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Asana) and financial modeling software (e.g., Excel, financial planning software).
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing competing priorities and capital constraints.
• Strong understanding of financial management principles, including capital budgeting, ROI analysis, and cost-benefit analysis.