IT Project/Program Manager on W2 Only

Relevant Experience: 10+ Years

Job Description:

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced IT Project/Program Manager to support strategic digital initiatives within a large enterprise environment. This role will be responsible for leading multiple software development projects and cross-functional programs, ensuring successful delivery from project inception through implementation. The selected candidate will split their time between two major initiatives and will partner closely with product owners, business stakeholders, and global engineering teams.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned project leader with extensive experience managing software development programs, driving organizational alignment, and leading complex cross-functional teams within Agile environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project and program management activities for multiple concurrent software development initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and execute project charters, project plans, schedules, budgets, communications plans, and status reporting.
• Drive project planning and execution while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Facilitate alignment across cross-functional teams, stakeholders, product owners, business partners, and engineering organizations.
• Manage projects throughout the full lifecycle, including concept, prototype, pilot, implementation, and post-deployment support.
• Coordinate teams across multiple geographic locations and functional disciplines.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Lead change management efforts and guide teams through organizational and process changes.
• Create and manage detailed project schedules, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Establish completion dates and accountability across project stakeholders.
• Utilize project management tools and methodologies to track progress, communicate status, and ensure successful execution.
• Prepare executive-level presentations, metrics, dashboards, and project updates.
• Support strategic planning, business alignment, and program prioritization efforts.
• Manage multiple project teams simultaneously, typically overseeing 2-3 active projects at a time and contributing to 8-10 projects annually.

Must-Have Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (degree completion date must be clearly listed on resume).
• 10+ years of professional experience; OR
• Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Technology, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience.

Required Experience

• 8+ years of experience managing projects from inception through delivery.
• 8+ years of direct project management experience supporting software engineering teams in Agile development environments.
• Proven experience leading end-to-end program management within complex cross-functional matrix organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment across stakeholders and lead teams through project charter creation, scope definition, and execution planning.
• Experience managing business stakeholders, product managers, and software development teams.
• Experience with organizational change management initiatives.
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, alignment, and leadership capabilities.

Technical Skills

• 2+ years of experience using Azure DevOps (formerly VSTS).
• 2+ years of experience using Confluence.
• Advanced proficiency in:
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Project

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management abilities.
• Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to influence and drive decisions across multiple levels of an organization.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• PMP Certification
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Change Management Certification
• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
• Scrum Master experience in addition to Project/Program Management responsibilities
• Experience working within large enterprise organizations
• Experience leading Ecommerce-related initiatives
• 2+ years of Power BI experience

• Primarily Scrum Master experience without substantial Project/Program Management leadership experience.
• No experience leading cross-functional, enterprise-level project teams.
• Less than 8 years of hands-on project/program management experience.
• Consistently short job tenures (typically under one year per role).
• Significant job hopping or choppy work history without reasonable explanations.
• Missing education completion information on the resume (degree and graduation date must be listed).
• No willingness to work onsite in Chicago or Peoria if business needs require increased onsite attendance.
• Relocation plans that are not clearly stated when applying from outside the local market.
• Limited experience managing software development projects within Agile environments.

Shanthi Pedhiredla

SOVEREIGN TECHNOLOGIES LLC