Program Manager (PMO)

This role will serve as a senior-level program management leader responsible for driving execution, governance, planning, dependency management, financial oversight, and executive reporting across a large-scale business and technology transformation program. The role requires exceptional program and project management expertise, strong executive presence, and the ability to proactively identify risks, resolve issues, manage dependencies, and drive decisions across a highly matrixed environment.

Program Manager
Project One Program Management Office (PMO)

Location: Mettawa, IL (Hybrid - Prefer On-site 4 days a week)
Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension (not guaranteed)


Position Overview
Client is seeking an experienced Consultant Program Manager to join the Project One Program Management Office (PMO). This role will serve as a senior-level program management leader responsible for driving execution, governance, planning, dependency management, financial oversight, and executive reporting across a large-scale business and technology transformation program.

The successful candidate will function as a strategic consultant within the PMO, providing leadership and guidance across multiple initiatives while helping teams navigate complex business, process, organizational, and technology challenges. This individual must be comfortable operating with limited direction, influencing diverse stakeholder groups, and balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution.

The role requires exceptional program and project management expertise, strong executive presence, and the ability to proactively identify risks, resolve issues, manage dependencies, and drive decisions across a highly matrixed environment.

Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead and support complex, cross-functional initiatives spanning business, technology, process transformation, change management, and organizational readiness.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, milestones, and critical path activities.
• Ensure adherence to master program plans and delivery commitments.
• Identify and implement solutions to complex program challenges.
• Provide strategic counsel and practical recommendations to PMO leadership and stakeholders.
• Operate independently and successfully manage ambiguous situations with minimal supervision.

Planning & Dependency Management

• Create and manage integrated plans across multiple workstreams, teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Identify, track, and proactively manage cross-functional dependencies and delivery risks.
• Coordinate planning activities and ensure alignment across interconnected initiatives.
• Assess impacts of changes and decisions on program objectives and timelines.

Risk, Issue & Governance Management

• Lead RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies) management activities.
• Proactively identify potential roadblocks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Drive issue resolution and escalation management across business and technology teams.
• Support governance processes, decision-making forums, and steering committee activities.
• Ensure transparency into program health and delivery performance.

Executive Reporting & Communications

• Develop executive-level presentations, dashboards, status reports, scorecards, and decision materials.
• Translate complex program information into concise and actionable insights.
• Support executive governance meetings and facilitate effective communication across stakeholder groups.

Financial & Vendor Management

• Contribute to program budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Monitor program spend and support financial reporting and variance analysis.
• Assist with resource planning and capacity forecasting.
• Support management of consulting partners and vendors, including deliverable tracking, milestone management, and performance reviews.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships across BTS, Commercial, Medical, Finance, and business leadership teams.
• Influence stakeholders and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Facilitate discussions among teams with competing priorities and objectives.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and execution excellence across the program.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Technology, Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• 10 years of program and project management experience, including large-scale business and technology transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-workstream programs involving diverse stakeholder groups and external vendors.
• Strong experience in integrated planning, dependency management, risk management, and executive reporting.
• Experience supporting governance processes and communicating with senior leadership audiences.
• Proven ability to contribute to financial forecasting, budget management, and vendor oversight activities.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and deliver results in fast-paced and evolving environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or life sciences organizations.
• PMP, PgMP, SAFe, or equivalent project/program management certification.
• Experience supporting enterprise PMOs, TMOs, or transformation offices.
• Familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience with Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Jira, Azure DevOps, Power BI, and Microsoft 365 tools.

EEO:

Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.