Senior Program Manager, Technology

WestJet; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel privileges

Total rewards package

Friendly culture

Job summary

WestJet is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead high-profile technology transformation initiatives within the IT Portfolio & Planning division. This full-time role reports to the Director of IT Portfolio & Planning and requires collaboration across multiple product and service delivery teams.

The candidate will drive governance, planning, delivery management, risk and budget oversight, and stakeholder communications to ensure programs meet strategic IT objectives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience delivering large, complex technology initiatives across multiple domains.
• Experience leading business transformation initiatives enabled by technology with measurable outcomes.
• Experience delivering within software engineering, data & analytics, cybersecurity, or digital transformation.
• Experience partnering with executive stakeholders and communicating with sponsors and leadership teams.
• Experience in large enterprise environments with cross-functional collaboration across tech, security, data, product and business units.
• Knowledge of governance, risk, security, compliance, and industry frameworks (NIST, ISO, COBIT, SOC).

Responsibilities

• Establish program governance for complex technology transformations.
• Create delivery plans balancing objectives and priorities across product teams.
• Lead programs from inception to completion across multiple teams.
• Manage dependencies and inform enterprise portfolio planning.
• Communicate proactively with sponsors and stakeholders and escalate issues as needed.
• Oversee budgeting and commercial strategies with internal partners.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Communications

Agile & Lean

Planning

Self-Direction

Education

Post-secondary IT/Engineering

Job description

This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.

Why WestJet

Since our story took off in 1996, WestJet has strived to enrich the lives of everyone in our world; a career with us is no exception. We’re proud to be one of Canada’s most admired and respected corporate cultures and continuously aim for the highest standards of service and success.

Join us, this is where your career story takes off.

Overview Of Role

Reporting to the Director of IT Portfolio & Planning, the Senior Program Manager is a full-time role responsible for the delivery of high-profile technology transformation initiatives, spanning numerous product and service delivery teams across the IT organization and relevant stakeholder groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Governance – Establish program governance for complex technology transformation programs requiring various technology and stakeholder teams to work together to drive program success.
• Delivery Planning – Establish delivery plans for key initiatives, balancing objectives and competing priorities across multiple product teams. Work across technology teams and stakeholders provide resourcing plans as required.
• Delivery Management – Lead key programs from inception to completion through the management and orchestration of sub-projects spanning multiple teams working within product development cycles.
• Sequencing & Dependency Management – Manage dependencies of varying complexity at program level, potentially informing and feeding into larger portfolios.
• Communications – Responsible for all proactive and reactive communications for program sponsors and stakeholders.
• Escalation Management – Act as the initial singular escalation point for multifaceted program deliveries, proposing mitigation strategies and corrective action.
• Fiscal Governance – Effective budget management within the constraints of enterprise-wide programs and their constituent projects, contributing to establishing the appropriate level or monitoring and control mechanisms required.
• Commercial Management – Identify, propose and deploy appropriate frameworks and purchasing strategies in collaboration with internal commercial colleagues.
• Strategic Alignment – Liaise with both the Enterprise Architecture and Digital Steering teams to ensure that key initiatives continue to adhere to technology strategies and enterprise priorities respectively.
• Other responsibilities as assigned and consistent with the role.

Education/Certification

• Post-secondary education within an Information Technology or Engineering Field.
• Project and/or Program level certification of any framework (i.e. PMP, PRINCE2) is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Any Agile and Product Management related certification is advantageous but not mandatory.

Experience

• 7+ years of experience delivering large, complex technology initiatives with exposure across multiple technology domains, including Applications, Software Development, Data & Analytics, Infrastructure, Platforms, Cybersecurity, Digital Products, and Technology Operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading business transformation initiatives enabled by technology, with measurable organizational, operational, or customer outcomes.
• Experience delivering within one or more technology disciplines such as software engineering, data and analytics, technology operations, resilience, cybersecurity, risk management, enterprise architecture, or digital transformation.
• Experience partnering with executive stakeholders and communicating effectively with sponsors, senior leadership teams, and operational teams.
• Experience working in large enterprise environments, collaborating across technology, security, data, product, communications, and business functions.
• Knowledge of technology governance, risk, security, compliance, and industry frameworks such as NIST, ISO, COBIT, SOC, or similar standards.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and change management capabilities, with the ability to influence outcomes across diverse teams and priorities.
• Experience within the airline, travel, tourism, hospitality, or tour operator industry is considered an asset.

Skills & Attributes

• Technical Competency – A technical background or exposure to complex technical deliveries that yields critical thinking and the ability to challenge technical feasibility.
• Communications – The ability to communicate across organizational, technical, and political boundaries, distilling down complex technical information to a format consumable and understood by non-technical audiences and stakeholders.
• Agile & Lean – Ability to lead on a range of Agile and Lean tools and techniques, providing coaching and mentorship outside of the immediate team.
• Lifecycle Perspective - Exposure to and experience within; product delivery, service management, and project execution operations working in cohesion.
• Planning – The ability to lead a continual planning process in a very complex environment, whilst co-ordinating and coaching other delivery teams as a central point of expertise.
• Self-Direction – The ability to work independently, establish relationships, and maintain context of multiple project deliveries simultaneously.

The Benefits Of Being a WestJetter

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:

• A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
• Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
• Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs

Our safety promise

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. Safety and security are shared responsibilities all team members are expected to use safe work practices to ensure their well‑being and the safety of others. WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well‑being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet’s operations at risk. All roles that are identified as Safey‑Sensitive are required to pass a Pre‑Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet'sAlcohol and Drug Policy.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We embrace what makes each of us unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. We welcome diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds so if you’re passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply – even if you don’t meet every qualification listed. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility throughout the selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

We value the time and effort you put into your application. Our recruitment process is highly competitive and while every applicant will receive communication regarding their application status, only those selected to move forward will be contacted with next steps. If this role isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.

About

For more information about everything WestJet, please westjet.com/aboutus.

About WestJet Group Of Companies

WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Since the Sunwing Airlines integration in 2025, more than 15,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to our global network of more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The WestJet Group is a major Canadian employer and includes WestJet Airlines, WestJet Encore and Sunwing Vacations Group. We’re Canada’s leading value airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.