Senior Technical Software Program Manager

Company Description

Cricut® makes smart cutting machines that work with an easy-to-use app, an ever-growing collection of materials, and crafting essentials to help you design and personalize almost anything — custom cards, unique apparel, everyday items, and so much more.

Let’s make.

Overview

We believe everyone is born creative. We’re a diverse tapestry of thinkers, dreamers, givers, DIYers, handi-workers, artisans, and forever and always architects of things.

At Cricut, we place the power of handmade into the hands of all. We give you beautiful, easy-to-master tools so you can make something unique, remarkable, perfect. We surround you with ideas, community, inspiration, and encouragement to take your creativity further than you ever imagined. And as a community, we celebrate the exhilarating act of making every single day.

So, make that handcrafted card that feels like a hug. Design a shirt for fun, for family, or for a full-blown business. Craft with a passion or for a purpose. Make something big and bold, itsy-bitsy, amazingly ambitious, or just plain silly. Whatever you make, just make your heart out. Because here’s the remarkable truth: When we all make together, we make all things possible.

Let’s make.

Job Description

Cricut® is searching for an exceptional Senior Technical Software Program Manager to drive cross functional programs and help teams continuously improve the velocity, quality, and satisfaction of their work. You have solid communication skills, you're empathic while balancing task-mastery. You must be action-oriented, capable of working on concurrent complex projects, and able to communicate clearly and effectively to cross-functional teams and business audiences. This position requires a technology background, experience with project management methodology and experience in working with executive leadership teams. 

As the Technical Software Program Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading and optimizing our software programs. We are seeking an individual with a comprehensive skill set, including expertise in process management, release management, vendor management, project management, negotiation, and willing to learn and be hands-on with Cricut’s software products. If you are passionate about driving successful software initiatives, thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and can actively contribute to technical aspects, we invite you to apply. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Program Management: 

• Lead and drive the end-to-end execution of software programs, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and objectives. 

• Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, timelines, and milestones. 

• Lead project teams to successful project completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, scope, and deliverables. 

• Monitor and report on project progress, identifying and addressing potential risks. 

• Foster a collaborative and results-driven project management culture. 

Expertise Required: 

• Demonstrated success in leading complex software programs from initiation to delivery within budget. 

• Proficiency in creating and managing program plans and reporting, utilizing industry-standard tools and methodologies. 

• Ability to identify and mitigate risks. 

• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills to coordinate efforts across diverse teams. 

Hands-On Technical Contributions: 

• Actively participate in technical aspects related to Cricut’s software products. 

• Collaborate with development, Product management, UX and QA teams to understand and contribute to the technical aspects of ongoing projects. 

• Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements to inform program management decisions. 

• Ability to understand customer concerns/challenges and communicate effectively to

Expertise Required: 

• Hands-on technical proficiency with software products. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with development and other cross functional teams and contribute to technical discussions. 

• Proactive approach to staying updated on industry trends and technological advancements. 

Process Management: 

• Establish and optimize project management and software development processes to enhance efficiency and productivity. 

• Implement best practices in Agile methodologies, ensuring seamless workflows across teams. 

• Continuously assess and improve processes to adapt to changing business needs. 

Expertise Required: 

• Proven track record in designing and implementing effective project management and software development processes. 

• In-depth knowledge of Agile methodologies and the ability to tailor them to meet specific project requirements. 

• Strong analytical skills to identify areas for process improvement. 

Release Management: 

• Oversee the planning and execution of software releases, coordinating with Development, Product management, QA, UX and DevOps teams. 

• Manage release schedules and ensure timely delivery of high-quality software products. 

• Mitigate risks and troubleshoot issues to minimize impact on release timelines. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work autonomously in a fast-paced environment 

Expertise Required: 

• Extensive experience in planning and executing software releases, with a focus on quality. 

• Proven ability to manage release schedules and mitigate risks effectively. 

• Strong troubleshooting skills to address issues impacting release timelines. 

Vendor Management: 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with third-party vendors and partners. 

• Negotiate contracts, SLAs, and pricing agreements to ensure favorable terms for the organization. 

• Monitor vendor performance and address any issues to ensure alignment with organizational standards. 

Expertise Required: 

• Demonstrated success in building and managing relationships with external vendors and partners. 

• Proven negotiation skills with a track record of achieving favorable terms in contracts. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess and address vendor performance issues. 

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical expertise. 

• Over 10 years of experience in technical program management, handling extensive cross-functional programs. 

• Proven track record in managing engineering and infrastructure-focused programs or projects. 

• Advanced understanding of the software development lifecycle and ability to adapt with both agile and waterfall methodologies. 

• Practical expertise in program management of software, hardware products, and cloud-based services. 

• Excellent knowledge in cloud technologies and proficiency in DevOps practices. 

• Strong business acumen, capable of translating business objectives into corresponding system requirements. 

• Exceptional organizational, time management, and prioritization skills. 

• Self-directed and detail-oriented problem solver, committed to owning issues until resolved. 

• Ability to define and refine processes with a focus on flexibility and adaptability. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to traverse both vertically and horizontally across the organization; communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical individuals 

• Ability to influence peers and managers while dealing with ambiguity 

Good to have: 

• Exceptional understanding of Network and Service performance, availability and scale-ability; previous experience supporting Infrastructure, DevOps, or cloud operations 

Additional Information

What to Do Next: Please attach your resume including links to your Github and website where applicable. If you want to show your super powers in other ways – include that information too. You can be sure that Cricut® is an employer who values individuality, equality and diversity, so tell us what you’re all about. If you are a Maker or a DIY enthusiast, whether you think you are a good one or not, we would love to hear about it when you send us your information!