Principal IT Program Manager and Product Owner

Hydrogen Group; Michigan; On-site; USD 242,458,000 - 263,122,000; Full time

Job summary

Hydrogen Group seeks a Principal IT Program Manager & Product Owner to define product strategy and manage multi-year technology programs across IT products and services. You will bridge business stakeholders, technology teams, architecture, cybersecurity, operations, and leadership to deliver measurable value and operational excellence.

You will own vision, roadmaps, funding, prioritization, and delivery execution while driving modernization and strategic investments that align with business

Qualifications

• 12+ years of technology program, portfolio, project, or product management experience.
• 8+ years leading large-scale enterprise technology initiatives.
• Experience as Product Owner, Product Manager, Program Manager, or Portfolio Manager.
• Proven success leading digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, cloud migration, or technology lifecycle management initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define product vision, strategy, and long-term roadmap.
• Lead cross-functional technology programs with enterprise-wide impact.
• Develop multi-year strategic plans, investment roadmaps, and delivery schedules.
• Oversee governance, risk management, and executive reporting.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise IT goals and budget planning.
• Drive Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall delivery as appropriate.
• MentorProgram Managers, Project Managers, Scrum Masters, and Product Owners.

Skills

Product strategy

Agile methodologies

Financial planning

Executive communication

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Matrix leadership

Risk management

Vendor management

Change leadership

Organizational change

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Principal IT Program Manager & Product Owner

Location: Oakland, CA (1 day per week onsite)

Pay Range: $85-$92/hr

Duration: 13-month contract (through end of 2027)

Position Summary

The Principal IT Program Manager & Product Owner role is responsible for defining product strategy, managing complex multi-year technology programs, and ensuring delivery of business outcomes across a portfolio of IT products and services. This position serves as the bridge between business stakeholders, technology teams, architecture, cybersecurity, operations, and executive leadership.

The role owns product vision, roadmap development, strategic planning, portfolio governance, funding, prioritization, and delivery execution. The Principal IT Program Manager & Product Owner drives modernization initiatives, aligns technology investments with business objectives, and ensures products deliver measurable value, reliability, security, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Ownership

• Define and maintain product vision, strategy, and long-term roadmap.
• Serve as Product Owner for strategic technology products and platforms.
• Develop and prioritize product backlogs based on business value, risk, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Translate business needs into product requirements, epics, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Drive product lifecycle management, including modernization, technical debt reduction, and technology refresh initiatives.
• Establish and monitor product KPIs, service metrics, and value realization measurements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend strategic investments.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Lead large-scale, cross-functional technology programs with enterprise-wide impact.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and initiatives within an assigned portfolio.
• Develop multi-year strategic plans, investment roadmaps, and delivery schedules.
• Oversee program governance, issue escalation, risk management, and executive reporting.
• Ensure alignment of program objectives with enterprise and IT strategic goals.
• Track benefits realization and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio.
• Lead quarterly and annual planning activities.

Financial & Resource Management

• Develop and manage portfolio budgets, forecasts, and funding strategies.
• Perform resource planning across internal teams, contractors, vendors, and managed service providers.
• Monitor financial performance and ensure effective use of technology investments.
• Develop business cases and investment recommendations for executive review.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service performance.

Stakeholder & Executive Engagement

• Partner with business leaders, IT executives, architecture teams, and operational stakeholders.
• Present portfolio health, strategic recommendations, risks, and funding requirements to leadership.
• Facilitate decision-making and alignment across multiple organizations.
• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure product and program success.
• Lead communication and change management activities for complex initiatives.

Delivery Leadership

• Ensure successful delivery of technology solutions from concept through implementation and operational transition.
• Coordinate across product, engineering, cybersecurity, infrastructure, architecture, and operations teams.
• Remove organizational barriers and resolve complex program issues.
• Establish delivery standards, governance processes, and performance expectations.
• Drive Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall delivery methodologies as appropriate.

Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide mentorship and guidance to Program Managers, Project Managers, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and emerging leaders.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert across the organization.
• Lead strategic initiatives and special assignments requiring executive-level judgment.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 12+ years of technology program, portfolio, project, or product management experience.
• 8+ years leading large-scale enterprise technology initiatives.
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programs with significant budgets and executive visibility.
• Experience serving as Product Owner, Product Manager, Program Manager, or Portfolio Manager.
• Demonstrated success leading digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, cloud migration, application modernization, or technology lifecycle management initiatives.

Certifications (Preferred)

• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• PMI-ACP
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• SAFe Product Manager/Product Owner (POPM)
• SAFe Program Consultant (SPC)
• ITIL Foundation or higher

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced understanding of product management and Agile methodologies.
• Expert knowledge of program and portfolio management principles.
• Strong financial planning, forecasting, and budget management capabilities.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
• Strategic planning and roadmap development expertise.
• Strong stakeholder management and influence skills.
• Experience leading in a matrixed organization.
• Risk management, governance, and compliance expertise.
• Vendor and contract management experience.
• Ability to balance business priorities, operational requirements, and technology strategy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and drive adoption.

Key Deliverables

• Product Vision & Strategy
• Multi-Year Technology Roadmap
• Portfolio Investment Plan
• Product Backlog & Prioritization Framework
• Financial Forecasts & Budget Plans