Senior Program Manager, Data & Technology, Technology Advisory

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth.

Practice Overview:

Ankura Technology Advisory Services provides experienced technology advisors globally to organizations seeking to manage risks, optimize operational performance, and/or capitalize on strategic value creation and growth opportunities. Ankura Technology Advisory Services goal is to enable Ankura's consultants to effectively deliver client engagements and innovate while operating the business efficiently with the appropriate cost, risk and service level trade-offs.

Role Overview:

Ankura Technology Advisory is seeking a Senior Program Manager who will lead and manage multiple client engagement projects. This role will be crucial to supporting our teams to deliver rapid and impactful results by applying continuous development and deployment practices, leveraging our proven Agile delivery methodology and accelerators.

This individual will orchestrate medium to large scale projects under the mentorship of leadership, forging strong alliances across teams, internal divisions, and clientele to drive project success. The ideal candidate will bring a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in project management within technology or software domains, showcasing a history of notable achievements and competencies.

This position is remote, located in the United States.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a portfolio of medium to large scale projects client engagement projects, ensuring timely, within-scope, and on-budget completion.
• Guide project sponsors from concept through to execution, including business case development, funding procurement, and vendor negotiations.
• Facilitate meetings and communications of project plans and deliverables with client stakeholders. Excellent client services experience and soft skills are necessary.
• Occasionally perform business analysis tasks, such as requirement gathering, process mapping, and solution exploration.
• Craft and maintain a detailed project roadmap, actively monitoring and adjusting strategies to align with project goals throughout its lifecycle.
• Exhibit mastery in budget oversight, constructing comprehensive forecasts that encompass all associated costs.
• Design and implement a customized communication strategy to maintain engagement and transparency with all project stakeholders.
• Keep meticulous records of project progress, risks, decisions, and financials.
• Formulate and execute an organizational change management strategy, supporting sponsors in their implementation efforts.
• Manage vendor relations to ensure clear expectations, ongoing communication, and delivery of quality end-products.
• Navigate contract negotiations and approvals in line with legal and financial guidelines.
• Resolve conflicts, mediate resolutions, and escalate critical concerns as necessary.
• Validate deliverable quality and facilitate a smooth transition to operational status.
• Contribute to future project planning, financial forecasting, and resource management.

Key Characteristics:

• A deep-rooted enthusiasm for project management complemented by a servant leadership style and outstanding listening skills.
• Professionalism coupled with a proactive mindset.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a knack for juggling multiple priorities effectively.
• A detail-oriented approach with an ability to grasp and convey the broader vision.
• Leadership qualities that inspire and motivate teams while fostering a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in facilitation and negotiation, with a talent for building consensus.
• A track record of building robust relationships at all organizational levels.
• Clear and impactful communication skills, capable of engaging with clients and executives.
• An analytical thinker with a solution-focused attitude and a commitment to excellence.
• A collaborative spirit, eager to learn, adapt, and contribute to team success.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree, preferably in Information Systems is a plus, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.
• Solid grasp of project management principles, with PMI CAPM or PMP certification highly regarded.
• At least 7 years of experience managing technical or software-related projects in a cross-functional setting.
• Minimum 2 years of Agile methodology experience.
• Experience in a consulting environment is advantageous.
• Advanced proficiency with Smartsheet, or other project management tools and MS Office tools, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Visio, with demonstrated ability to efficiently produce crisp, professional documents.

Travel Expectations:

• Travel (by air and car) as required (as needed). Limited travel expected less than 10%.

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Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email [email protected] or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.