IT Program Manager

SES Satellites; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Satellites seeks an IT Program Manager to lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives within the IT PMO. You will structure delivery approaches, manage ambiguity, and align multiple workstreams across IT and software development domains to achieve operational excellence.

In this delivery leadership role, you will partner with senior stakeholders, drive governance, risk and dependency management, and help mature PMO practices across Operations & Engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field. Certifications in PM, Agile, change management, or business process improvement are advantageous.
• Proven experience delivering cross-functional initiatives with planning, schedule tracking, governance, status reporting, and risk management.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams, navigate ambiguity, and contribute to decision-making with structured problem-solving.
• Superior stakeholder coordination, clear communication, and alignment across teams with differing priorities.
• Experience with PMO methodologies, frameworks, and tools (ADO, Jira, MS Project, SharePoint, Power BI, MS Office).
• Experience across software development, systems integration, or process improvement with end-to-end delivery lifecycles.
• Typically 10–15 years in PMO, project management, or related delivery roles showing progression to higher complexity.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex programs with interrelated projects and workstreams.
• Define and structure delivery approach, governance, roadmap, and integration points.
• Ensure outputs align to program objectives, benefits, and strategic outcomes.
• Manage trade-offs across scope, timelines, cost, quality, and risk at program level.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable program plans and priorities.
• Align program initiatives with broader organizational goals.
• Identify gaps or risks and provide recommended upscale actions.
• Act as primary interface for senior stakeholders across IT, Ops, and business functions.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments and balance competing priorities.
• Build credibility through structured thinking and consistent delivery outcomes.
• Establish and lead program Steering Committee and governance forums.
• Deliver insight-driven reporting on risks, dependencies, trends, and KPIs.
• Provide structured recommendations for leadership decisions.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Autonomy

Delivery leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field

Tools

Azure DevOps

Jira

Microsoft Project

SharePoint

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Job description

IT Program Manager

Requisition Number: 20359

Contract Type: Permanent

Location(s): McLean, VA, US

The role sits within the IT PMO unit of the Operations & Engineering PMO and is responsible for leading high priority, complex, cross-functional initiatives across the Information Technology and Software Development domains that contribute to the company's strategic objectives.

The role operates with a high degree of autonomy, structuring delivery approaches, managing ambiguity, and driving alignment across diverse stakeholder groups. The role is responsible for planning, coordinating and tracking projects and programs that drive operational excellence, key systems integration, process simplification, and other business integration initiatives.

As a delivery leader and trusted partner, the role ensures integration across workstreams, proactively manages risks and dependencies, and contributes to the continuous improvement of PMO practices and program delivery effectiveness across the Operations & Engineering landscape.

Primary Responsibilities / Key Result Areas

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex programs consisting of multiple, interrelated projects and workstreams.
• Define and structure delivery approach, governance model, roadmap, and integration points.
• Ensure alignment of project outputs to program objectives, benefits, and strategic outcomes.
• Manage trade-offs across scope, timelines, cost, quality, and risk at program level.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable program plans, priorities, and delivery structures.
• Ensure alignment between program initiatives and broader organizational goals.
• Identify gaps, misalignments, or risks to strategic delivery and upscale with recommendations.
• Act as primary interface for senior stakeholders across Operations & Engineering & Business Functions.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments, balancing competing priorities and expectations.
• Build credibility and influence through structured thinking, sound judgment, and consistent delivery outcomes.
• Establish and lead program Steering Committee and other governance forums, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and decision-making.
• Deliver insight-driven reporting including risks, dependencies, trends, and performance indicators.
• Provide structured recommendations to facilitate informed decision-making by leadership.

Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-project programs with a high level of autonomy.
• Ability to manage without authority, aligning diverse teams toward shared objectives.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving capability; able to structure ambiguity into clear delivery approaches.
• Proven ability to understand the "big picture" and connect program execution to strategic outcomes.
• Advanced communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex topics and influence stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across cross-functional environments.
• High emotional intelligence; able to navigate challenging situations and maintain credibility.
• Growing thought leadership in program and project management practices.
• Continuous improvement mindset; identifies gaps and drives enhancements to delivery practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field. Professional certifications or formal training in project management, Agile delivery, change management, or business process improvement are considered advantageous.
• Proven experience in leading and driving project delivery across cross-functional initiatives, including planning, schedule tracking, governance, status reporting, and risk and issue management, with increasing ownership and autonomy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, navigate ambiguity, and contribute to decision-making by applying structured problem-solving and a strong understanding of the broader project context.
• Superior stakeholder coordination skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, build credibility, and support alignment across teams with differing priorities.
• Expert with PMO methodologies, frameworks, and tools such as Azure DevOps (ADO), Jira, Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Power BI, and Microsoft Office, applying them to drive consistency and transparency in delivery.
• Experience contributing to projects in areas such as software development, systems integration, business transformation, or process improvement, with exposure to end-to-end delivery lifecycles.
• Typically, 10 - 15 years of relevant experience in project coordination, PMO, project management, or related delivery roles, demonstrating progression toward managing increasing complexity and responsibility.

The salary range for this full-time position is $134,880 - $185,500.

Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and geographic location. Individual compensation within the range is determined based on work location and a variety of factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and relevant education or training.

Additional compensation and benefits may apply depending on the location and terms of employment.

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC