Program Manager

BrainRidge Consulting; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

BrainRidge Consulting is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional programs from planning through delivery in a fast-paced FinTech environment. You will partner with senior leaders, define objectives, manage budgets, risks, and dependencies, and drive measurable business outcomes across multiple teams.

Responsibilities include governance, reporting, executive communications, and change management.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program management, project management, business transformation, or strategic initiative delivery.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional programs with multiple workstreams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing program scope, budgets, timelines, resources, risks, dependencies, and delivery outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management with the ability to influence and align teams without direct authority.
• Experience preparing executive updates, presentations, business cases, and program reporting.
• Knowledge of program governance, risk management, change management, and continuous improvement practices.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and drive progress in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with project and program management tools and reporting platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in related field; PMP/PgMP certification is a plus; experience in financial services/tech/consulting is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-functional programs from initiation through closeout.
• Develop and maintain program plans, milestones, budgets, resource plans, dependencies, and success metrics.
• Coordinate multiple projects and workstreams, aligning with priorities and outcomes.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders to define objectives, establish priorities, and drive decisions.
• Provide clear, concise updates on program status, risks, issues, dependencies, and key decisions.
• Establish program governance, reporting routines, steering committee materials, and escalation processes.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, resources, timelines, and deliverables; identify variances and drive corrective action.
• Identify and mitigate program risks, resolve roadblocks, and manage dependencies across teams.
• Lead cross-functional meetings and working sessions to maintain alignment, accountability, and momentum.
• Support change management, stakeholder readiness, and adoption of new processes, systems, or operating models.
• Define and track KPIs and other measures to assess progress, delivery performance, and business impact.
• Identify opportunities to improve program delivery, operational efficiency, and collaboration across teams.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Executive updates

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Adaptability

Time management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Technology, Engineering, or related field

PMP/PgMP certification is an asset

Tools

PM tools

Reporting platforms

Job description

BrainRidge Consulting is a premium FinTech Technology Consulting firm with the energy of a startup and the experience of an enterprise. With a mission to empower financial institutions and organizations to thrive in the digital age, we provide cutting-edge technology solutions and strategic guidance to drive innovation and growth. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to lead complex initiatives and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Senior Program Manager

As a Senior Program Manager, you will lead complex, cross-functional programs and strategic initiatives from planning through execution and delivery. You will partner with senior leaders, business stakeholders, and delivery teams to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, manage interdependent workstreams, and ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and in alignment with business objectives. This role is suited to a proactive leader who can navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, manage risk, and drive measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-functional programs from initiation and planning through implementation and closeout.
• Develop and maintain program plans, milestones, budgets, resource plans, dependencies, and success measures.
• Coordinate multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and business outcomes.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders to define objectives, establish priorities, and drive decisions.
• Provide clear, concise updates on program status, risks, issues, dependencies, and key decisions.
• Establish program governance, reporting routines, steering committee materials, and escalation processes.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts, resources, timelines, and deliverables; identify variances and drive corrective action.
• Identify and mitigate program risks, resolve roadblocks, and manage dependencies across teams.
• Lead cross-functional meetings and working sessions to maintain alignment, accountability, and momentum.
• Support change management, stakeholder readiness, and adoption of new processes, systems, or operating models.
• Define and track KPIs and other measures to assess progress, delivery performance, and business impact.
• Identify opportunities to improve program delivery, operational efficiency, and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program management, project management, business transformation, or strategic initiative delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional programs with multiple workstreams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing program scope, budgets, timelines, resources, risks, dependencies, and delivery outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align teams without direct authority.
• Experience preparing executive-level updates, presentations, business cases, and program reporting.
• Knowledge of program governance, risk management, change management, and continuous improvement practices.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and drive progress in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with project and program management tools and reporting platforms.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• PMP, PgMP, or another relevant program management certification is an asset.
• Experience in financial services, technology, consulting, or another complex and regulated environment is an asset.