Strategic Program Manager
Globe Life Inc.

Job Description:

Strategic Program Manager

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Strategy Realization Office Leader, the Strategic Program Manager is responsible for the planning and delivery of Globe Life's strategic programs and initiatives. As a strategic program manager, you are a senior-level practitioner on the forefront of advancing, and ultimately realizing, our organization's strategic goals. You will partner and work closely with leaders across the portfolios and enterprise to develop and manage the programs that support the organization's roadmap and strategic direction. You will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing against an agreed to schedule, scope and budget to realize specific business outcomes resulting in value to the business.

The Strategic Program Manager will lead a variety of matrixed business and technical teams utilizing program and project management practices while adhering to Globe Life methodologies and governance. You will function as part of the "three-legged stool" along with your Technology and Business Transformation counterparts to craft the plan and roadmap to the workstreams for achieving the program objectives. In addition, you will work closely with the IT PMO for the delivery of all IT components of the program. You will be an excellent leader and will have experience in managing staff in different disciplines and diversity to produce results in ways consistent with Globe's culture. You are proficient in developing and using the right strategies and tactics to deliver the desired business value and outcomes to the organization.

Lastly, as the Strategic Program Manager, you contribute to process improvement initiatives as it relates to improving program delivery as well as assist peers as needed. Lastly, you thrive in a fast-paced environment where personal responsibility and open, direct, respectful communications are essential.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Together with the Program's Transformation and Business Technology Leaders, you are responsible for the delivery of business outcomes aligned to the Strategic Plan and approved by Executive Leadership
• Formulate, organize and create the plans to achieve specific high value business outcomes
• Develop plans that align schedule, scope and costs with executive and stakeholder expectations
• Identify business value creation measures and incorporate into the program's delivery
• Select suitable strategies and tactics tailored to your team as part of your program's playbook
• Lead a diverse team of matrixed resources including staff, contractors and vendors
• Identify and manage all impediments to program success
• Communicate program status, implement change management, ensure business readiness, manage stakeholders and conflict
• Contribute to the Strategic Program Mgmt practice
• Provide timely and accurate reporting

Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Produce Artifacts and Perform Program Activities (such as):

• Program Charter and Scope Mgmt
• Financial/Budget Mgmt
• Program Schedule, Milestones, Roadmap, key dependencies & sequencing identification
• Risk, Issue & Escalation Mgmt
• Resource/Staffing Mgmt: for FTEs, contractors, vendors
• Communications Mgmt
• Program Change Mgmt
• Vendor Mgmt & Procurement Mgmt
• Integration Mgmt
• Quality and Defect Mgmt
• Stakeholder Mgmt, Business Readiness & Training Mgmt
• Technology Plans for environments, deployments, launches and transitions to production support
• Program Playbook for how the program will operate, tooling, reporting, time recording...
• Status Reporting, PPM Tooling & Reporting, leadership presentations
• Business Realization Measures and Reporting
• Adherence to Globe methodologies, standards and governances
• Contribute to the Program Mgmt practice and peers to enhance the organizations capabilities

Key Attributes & Differentiators for Successful Strategic Program Managers

• Big picture oriented yet able to go deep to solve problems when needed
• Operates fully as the "third leg" of leadership regardless of titles
• A strong advocate for the program's best interest and willingness to hold a strong opinion even when its unpopular
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to persuade and effectuate change regardless of title
• Unrelenting in the pursuit of the strategic program's goals and business outcomes
• Works openly and effectively with Business, Technology and Transformation Leadership. Able to communicate ideas, collaborate, request help and problem solve as appropriate
• Adaptable leadership style, able to communicate at all levels within the organization and to build consensus and momentum
• History of success leading large scale programs with diverse and matrixed teams
• Business value focused, able to converse not only in technical terms but in business terms as well
• Demonstrates thought leadership, contributing both to the program and organization
• Executive presence, able to present oneself professionally and effective with executive leadership and stakeholders. Demonstrated communication proficiency, both written and oral with technical and non-technical staff
• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills, proven ability to work independently with limited supervision, ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently with competing deadlines

Applicable to all employees of Globe Life & Accident and its subsidiaries:

• Reliable and predictable attendance of your assigned shift
• Ability to work full time and/or part time based on the position specifications.

Required Knowledge & Experience

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• BS/BA diploma in computers, MIS, management or a relevant field; MS/MA/MBA is a plus
• 5+ years of experience delivering medium to large projects
• 3+ years of experience in large- scale program management
• 3+ years of experience working cross functionally with tech and non-tech teams
• Thorough understanding of project/program management techniques and methods including SDLC Methodologies, Agile, SCRUM, SDLC / Waterfall
• Agile, PMP, CSM, or any project or Agile methodology certifications are highly desired
• Excellent knowledge of performance evaluation and change and communications management principles
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office; working knowledge of program/project management software (Jira, Azure DevOps, MS Project etc.) and collaboration (SharePoint, Confluence, MS Teams) is a strong advantage

Work Environment/ Other Information

• Minimal travel may be required
• In office or voluntary remote opportunities exist for this position, though frequent onsite meetings may be required to ensure successful outcomes
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

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