Manager, Program Management

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.; Florham Park (NJ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (BNED) is seeking a Manager, Program Management to lead digital product and technology initiatives, driving complex programs across multiple projects and teams in a fast-paced environment.

The role emphasizes governance, stakeholder communication, risk management, and strategic alignment with business objectives, with a focus on delivery excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in program or project management within a software development, digital product, or web technology environment.
• Experience overseeing complex programs involving multiple concurrent projects, cross-functional teams, and interdependent workstreams.
• Proven track record delivering and supporting web applications, digital platforms, consumer technology solutions, and/or B2B products; digital commerce experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles and program management methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, or managing project management professionals preferred.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and external vendors throughout the product development lifecycle.
• PMI or PgMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee complex digital product development programs encompassing multiple projects, development teams, and workstreams, ensuring alignment with business objectives, priorities, and delivery timelines.
• Establish and maintain program governance, including resource planning, milestone tracking, risk management, dependency coordination, and performance reporting to ensure successful program execution.
• Oversee the program lifecycle from initial planning and development through implementation, launch, and ongoing support, including new site launches, system configurations, integrations, and enhancements.
• Serve as a primary liaison among technology teams, business stakeholders, senior leadership, and external vendors, fostering collaboration, alignment, and effective decision-making.
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely communication regarding overall program health, progress, milestones, risks, and dependencies, tailoring updates and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and mitigate program risks, resource constraints, and competing priorities, serving as an escalation point for complex challenges, system issues, and vendor integrations.
• Lead issue triage, escalation, and resolution efforts, coordinating cross-functional teams and facilitating development planning and prioritization to minimize disruption and maintain program momentum.
• Develop and implement program management processes, tools, and best practices that strengthen governance, improve cross-functional collaboration, and enhance delivery efficiency.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of project management professionals, establishing clear performance expectations, providing ongoing guidance, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee team capacity and resource allocation, balancing competing priorities to ensure effective execution across multiple programs and workstreams.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Skills

Program management

Governance

Web apps delivery

SDLC methodologies

Leadership

Stakeholder management

PMI certifications

Job description

The Manager, Program Management oversees the successful delivery of digital product and technology initiatives, leading project management teams, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring programs align with business objectives.

Education - It's in Our DNA

At Barnes & Noble Education (“BNED”) and across our family of brands, we are dedicated to making tomorrow a better, more inclusive, and smarter world by servicing all who work in education. As a leading solutions provider for the education industry, we are committed to driving affordability, accessibility, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide by ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Together, our teams work to elevate lives through education.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Lead and oversee complex digital product development programs encompassing multiple projects, development teams, and workstreams, ensuring alignment with business objectives, priorities, and delivery timelines.
• Establish and maintain program governance, including resource planning, milestone tracking, risk management, dependency coordination, and performance reporting to ensure successful program execution.
• Oversee the program lifecycle from initial planning and development through implementation, launch, and ongoing support, including new site launches, system configurations, integrations, and enhancements.
• Serve as a primary liaison among technology teams, business stakeholders, senior leadership, and external vendors, fostering collaboration, alignment, and effective decision-making.
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely communication regarding overall program health, progress, milestones, risks, and dependencies, tailoring updates and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and mitigate program risks, resource constraints, and competing priorities, serving as an escalation point for complex challenges, system issues, and vendor integrations.
• Lead issue triage, escalation, and resolution efforts, coordinating cross-functional teams and facilitating development planning and prioritization to minimize disruption and maintain program momentum.
• Develop and implement program management processes, tools, and best practices that strengthen governance, improve cross-functional collaboration, and enhance delivery efficiency.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of project management professionals, establishing clear performance expectations, providing ongoing guidance, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee team capacity and resource allocation, balancing competing priorities to ensure effective execution across multiple programs and workstreams.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

What You'll Need To Succeed

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in program or project management within a software development, digital product, or web technology environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex programs involving multiple concurrent projects, cross-functional teams, and interdependent workstreams.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering and supporting web applications, digital platforms, consumer technology solutions, and/or B2B products; digital commerce experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles and program management methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, or managing project management professionals preferred.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and external vendors throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, mitigate risks, and drive results.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification preferred.

How We Elevate Our Employees

We believe your success is our success, so our benefits package is designed specifically to support you in every aspect of your life. At BNED, we offer a variety of programs and resources to support the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employees by offering a competitive total rewards package for full-time employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision plans, 401k with an annual discretionary match, life insurance, commuter benefits, paid time off with paid holidays, and a broad range of other benefits.

The hiring range for this position is $140,000 – 150,000. This range represents the base salary only, in good faith at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At Barnes & Noble Education, we empower everyone. Our mission is to support students, faculty, and schools, serving as a catalyst to meet the evolving needs of the education system and a new generation of students. That starts with fostering an environment for our employees where diversity and individuality is celebrated.

Barnes & Noble Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiliated Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Barnes & Noble Education provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete an application or participate in the interview process, please contact [e-mail].