Senior Program ManagerPosition Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional technology initiatives supporting scientific data platforms, AI-driven discovery tools, and R&D solutions used by researchers and scientific organizations worldwide.
This role sits at the intersection of program management, technology, and stakeholder communication, partnering closely with Engineering, Product, Design, and executive leadership. The Senior Program Manager will own programs from initial planning through delivery while ensuring teams remain aligned on priorities, timelines, dependencies, risks, and expected outcomes.
Success in this position requires someone who can operate effectively in ambiguity, influence without direct authority, and translate highly technical information into clear, actionable communication for audiences ranging from engineers to senior executives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end planning and execution of large, cross-functional technology programs involving multiple teams and stakeholders.
- Serve as the central communication point for assigned programs, ensuring stakeholders receive the appropriate level of information at the right time.
- Partner with Engineering, Product, and Design leadership to establish program objectives, scope, success metrics, timelines, and resource requirements.
- Coordinate delivery of scientific data platforms, AI-enabled discovery tools, and other technology and R&D solutions.
- Develop and maintain program roadmaps, project plans, milestones, dependencies, and delivery schedules.
- Proactively identify program risks, blockers, and dependencies and communicate potential impacts before they affect delivery.
- Develop clear status reporting, executive updates, and program documentation that translate complex technical information into actionable business insights.
- Facilitate planning sessions, cross-functional syncs, retrospectives, and other program ceremonies focused on driving decisions and accountability.
- Influence prioritization and resource decisions by clearly presenting data, trade-offs, risks, and recommendations to leadership.
- Navigate difficult conversations involving competing priorities, timeline changes, delivery concerns, or cross-team misalignment while maintaining stakeholder trust.
- Partner across technical and non-technical teams to ensure consistent understanding of program objectives and responsibilities.
- Coach and mentor program and project management team members on stakeholder communication and program management best practices.
- Continuously improve program management processes, including reporting standards, escalation paths, documentation, and communication practices.
Required Qualifications
- 6+ years of program management or project management experience, preferably within a software, technology, or product-driven environment.
- Demonstrated experience successfully delivering large, complex, cross-functional programs involving multiple teams.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with both highly technical teams and executive leadership.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with demonstrated ability to build credibility and influence decisions without direct authority.
- Experience developing and delivering executive-level program updates, status reports, roadmaps, and presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to proactively manage risks, dependencies, scope changes, competing priorities, and delivery challenges.
- Strong experience facilitating cross-functional planning, decision-making, and alignment.
- Working knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and software release management processes.
- Strong understanding of Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid program management methodologies.
- Proficiency with JIRA, Confluence, or comparable project and program management platforms.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and program metrics to inform decisions and communicate progress.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and a high degree of ambiguity.
Preferred Qualifications
- PMP, CSM, or equivalent program/project management certification.
- Experience supporting scientific information technology, research technology, or related environments.
- Experience with R&D data platforms, drug discovery technology, patent/IP research tools, chemical or materials science data, or similar scientific applications.
- Experience supporting programs involving AI, machine learning, or AI-enabled products and platforms.
- Experience using AI tools to improve program workflows, reporting, meeting documentation, or operational efficiency.
- Experience helping established organizations modernize processes, introduce new technologies, or evolve ways of working.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a highly organized program leader who combines strong technical program management capabilities with exceptional communication and stakeholder-management skills. They are comfortable working across Engineering, Product, Design, and executive leadership and know how to adjust their communication based on the audience.
They anticipate issues rather than simply reporting them, communicate challenges early, and are comfortable pushing for decisions when teams become stuck. They can take a complex technical initiative with competing priorities and turn it into a clear plan that stakeholders understand, trust, and can execute against.
Pay: From $65.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbus, OH 43202
