[Hiring] Project Manager @McGraw Hill LLC.

Role Description

The Program Operator plays a pivotal role in supporting the successful execution of agile programs, overseeing the coordination and operational aspects of multiple projects or product initiatives within an agile environment. The Program Operator ensures that all teams adhere to agile principles and methodologies, facilitates communication across teams, manages dependencies, and removes operational obstacles to ensure program success. This role requires strong organizational and problem-solving skills to oversee the day-to-day execution of the program, while maintaining alignment with business goals and customer needs.

This is a remote position open to applicants authorized to work for any employer within the United States.

What You’ll Do:

• Agile Program Management:
  • Assist in the planning, execution, and delivery of large, complex agile programs by ensuring that teams follow agile processes and methodologies.
  • Ensuring that scope is documented and kept up to date.
  • Coordinate cross-functional team efforts to ensure timely delivery of program objectives.
  • Support the Program Manager or Scrum Master in monitoring program progress and identifying any blockers or risks.
  • Ensure alignment between multiple product teams working within the program.
• Facilitate Agile Ceremonies and Practices:
  • Organize and facilitate agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives for the program teams.
  • Support teams in adhering to their sprint goals and work to resolve operational roadblocks.
  • Ensure consistency and effective communication of agile practices across teams, maintaining high standards for agile execution.
• Dependency and Risk Management:
  • Assist in the identification, tracking, and management of dependencies between teams, projects, and external stakeholders.
  • Proactively address potential risks to program delivery, escalating issues when necessary to appropriate stakeholders.
  • Coordinate mitigation strategies and ensure risks are appropriately managed and communicated.
• Operational Support:
  • Provide day-to-day operational support to agile teams, helping them adhere to timelines and deliverables.
  • Ensure that the tools and resources required by the teams are available and functioning.
  • Act as a liaison between technical teams, product teams, and business stakeholders to ensure operational needs are met.
• Stakeholder Communication and Reporting:
  • Maintain transparent communication with stakeholders, ensuring they are informed of program status, risks, and any changes to scope or delivery timelines.
  • Prepare and present regular status reports, key metrics, and updates on program progress and performance.
  • Ensure stakeholder expectations are managed effectively and that any changes or issues are communicated in a timely manner.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for process optimization and efficiency gains.
  • Support agile teams in adopting new tools, techniques, or processes that improve team performance and overall program delivery.
  • Facilitate knowledge-sharing between teams and encourage a culture of innovation.
• Program Documentation and Metrics:
  • Ensure that all program-related documentation is maintained, including roadmaps, timelines, release plans, and issue logs.
  • Track and analyze program performance metrics, including velocity, burn-down charts, and release progress, to inform decision-making.
  • Use data-driven insights to identify trends, optimize workflows, and guide strategic decision-making.
• Support Product and Technical Leadership:
  • Work closely with product managers, program managers, scrum masters, and technical leads to ensure product goals and program objectives align with business priorities.
  • Help bridge the gap between business strategy and execution by translating high-level objectives into actionable plans for the teams.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in an agile environment, with at least 1 year in a program or project coordination role.
• Familiarity with managing cross-functional programs involving multiple agile teams.
• Experience with agile tools (e.g., Jira, Trello, or similar).

Requirements

• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to track multiple initiatives, manage dependencies, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Knowledge of agile frameworks (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) and program management best practices.
• Solid understanding of risk management and issue resolution techniques.
• Comfortable working with stakeholders at all levels, including product, technical, and business leaders.

Education

• A degree in Business, Project Management, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience in program or project management within an agile framework.

Soft Skills

• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
• High attention to detail and a focus on results.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to foster collaboration among diverse teams.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and take initiative.

Preferred Qualifications

• Agile certifications (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster, Certified Scrum Product Owner, or similar).
• Experience with large-scale agile frameworks (e.g., SAFe, LeSS).
• Familiarity with DevOps and CI/CD practices.
• Experience in coordinating global or distributed teams.

Benefits

• The pay range for this position is between $55,000 - $90,000 annually.
• A full range of medical and/or other benefits, depending on the position offered.