Program Manager

Samaritan Ministries International; Peoria (IL); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based incentives

Health insurance

401K retirement plan

Job summary

Samaritan Ministries International is seeking a Product Owner to lead product development and launches, driving profitability and planning across the product line. You will coordinate with cross-functional teams to translate strategy into prioritized release plans and backlogs.

The role emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, market analysis, and ongoing prioritization to align with the ministry's mission and goals. Experience in technology settings is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of product ownership experience preferred.
• 2+ years managing major projects.
• Proven ability to build relationships across departments.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development and launches.
• Oversee end-to-end product line profitability and planning.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the product lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain product roadmap and priorities.
• Define KPIs and support pricing and profitability analyses.

Skills

Product ownership

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Agile methodology

Analytical skills

Education

Four-year degree

Job description

About Company

Samaritan Ministries is a Biblical solution to health care. It is not insurance. We deliver authentic, compassionate, and personal service in the name of Christ to enable and inspire members to provide for one another's medical needs through prayer, encouragement, and financial support.

Samaritan Ministries is a Biblical solution to health care. It is not insurance. We deliver authentic, compassionate, and personal service in the name of Christ to enable and inspire members to provide for one another's medical needs through prayer, encouragement, and financial support. From demonstrating Christ-centered compassion to modeling best practices in health care sharing, Samaritan Ministries is committed to keeping Jesus at the center of everything we do. The way we interact with our colleagues and engage with our members is a testament that we are ultimately serving Christ and His Kingdom.

Summary

To serve Samaritan Ministries International (SMI) by leading activities pertaining to product development and launches, and is responsible for product profitability and planning.

Note: This role is equivalent to a product owner role and has identical responsibilities. 3-5 years of product ownership experience in a technology setting strongly preferred.

Competencies

• Product and Service Development
• Fostering Communication
• Product and Technical Knowledge
• Nurturing Innovation
• Market, Industry, and Competitive Knowledge
• Branding and Positioning
• Acting with Integrity, Empathy, and Compassion
• Neighbor Focus
• Collaborating with Others
• Pursuing Excellence
• Thinking Strategically
• Visioning and Alignment

Key Responsibilities

• Lead activities pertaining to product development and product launches
• Assist new product delivery through product development, testing, and marketing stages
• Contribute to new product introduction from development approval through to market introduction
• Work closely with cross-functional teams in all activities of the product line
• Contribute to product and brand strategy through industry analysis and research of the competitive landscape
• Support product pricing and profitability analysis for decision making
• Support the ownership of the end-to-end product line and assist in product profitability and planning, including new product additions
• Recommend product feature KPIs to measure product success
• Understand the product details and lead product-related technical and business analysis activities
• Contribute to the definition, development, and management of product pricing
• Assist the team in developing, maintaining, and realizing a product roadmap
• Under the direction of supervisor, translate product requirements and business strategy into clearly articulated and prioritized release plans and product backlogs
• Keep fact-based member sentiment at the center of all projects and project decision making
• Work cooperatively with MX to generate essential member research needed to support project decision making
• Conduct on-going competitive analysis as required for projects or as requested by the Director
• Help manage relationships with key third party vendors in collaboration with the Manager of Strategic Relations.
• Leverage strong analytical skills to conduct key business analysis in support of project or program.
• Maintain real time understanding of project status at all times using proactive management approach
• Lead projects and project teams successfully through all essential project management decision making gates
• Work in a totally integrated fashion with SMI departments and sub-departments
• Ensure especially strong connections with key software development and member services departments
• Contribute to managing program components including the program value proposition, benefit delivery, features, pricing, business rules, guidelines, terps, and other needed policy changes.
• Functions as the Product Owner on Software Development teams, as assigned
• Provide oversight, management, and leadership around the prioritization of software development work and collaborate with upper leadership to ensure alignment
• Lead the team responsible for vetting all incoming projects and manage the backlog
• Lead and mentor more junior Product Managers as assigned
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define and communicate the vision, goals, and objectives for missions. Maintain a clear mission timeline that aligns with the Product roadmap and the ministry’s strategic goals.

Qualifications And Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of product owner experience in a technology setting strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing major projects
• Four-year degree from an accredited university or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience in role requiring use of analytics to support of decision making
• Proven ability to build relationships and work effectively across departments including: Member Services, IT-Dev, IT-Ops, Finance, MX Research, OSS, MD, Legal, etc.
• Self-starter with the demonstrated ability to lead project teams to successful project outcomes
• Strong analytical skills. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw insightful conclusion
• Demonstrated experience being a contributor to a department budgeting process
• Process orientation: seeks opportunities to improve existing processes
• The flexibility to quickly adapt and produce in a rapidly changing environment
• Is comfortable being accountable and is willing to hold others accountable for performance and results.
• A passion for both giving and receiving feedback in an innovative teamwork environment
• Strong relationship-building skills with ability to effectively manage group and interpersonal conflict situations.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills – including report writing.
• Ability to Maintain confidentiality
• Agile Methodology (Intermediate)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Intermediate)
• Project Management Software (Intermediate)
• Requirements Management (Intermediate)

Additional Information

• Tasks are normally conducted in a regular office environment, requiring use of computer, mouse, drawing tablet, and other standard office equipment. Staff usually remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Staff will observe safety principles while performing the duties of the position.
• Staff will be required to travel and have a valid driver’s license.
• May need to lift and move items up to 35 lbs on occasion.
• This position requires an active commitment to the mission and values of SMI. In the course of performing job duties, the employee will act in a manner that is Christ-honoring as well as Christ-like, demonstrating a personal Christian faith and witness in all interpersonal interactions.
• Disclaimer: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the classification. Work hours may be irregular including performing duties on evenings or weekends.
• Staff must perform work in a dedicated space that is free from distractions and interruptions, where others cannot view their work or overhear conversations.
• Remote Staff must have an approved internet speed, latency, and jitter by the SMI IT Department.
• Staff will be provided with equipment that is necessary for the position, and the equipment is unable to be used for non-business uses.
• Remote staff are unable to operate as a primary caregiver while working remotely. ***Primary caregiver is defined as when a staff member is operating as the primary responsible person in a home with children under age 14 or providing care to anyone needing intermittent or constant attention and/or supervision.
• Staff are encouraged to keep cameras on during virtual meetings to foster engagement, enhance communication, and strengthen team rapport.
• Disclaimer: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the classification. Work hours may be irregular including performing duties on evenings or weekends.
• This position requires an active commitment to the mission and values of SMI. In the course of performing job duties, the employee will act in a manner that is Christ-honoring as well as Christ-like, demonstrating a personal Christian faith and witness in all interpersonal interactions.

Pay Range: $78,000 - $118,600 /yr

Starting pay usually falls within the lower half of the pay range and is determined by experience, skills, and education.

Benefits Include

• Performance-based incentive pay
• SMI Membership with monthly healthcare bonus
• Health Insurance: MEC plan with employer HSA contribution
• 401K Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Life Insurance
• Short-term disability
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Time Off: 9 company paid holidays, 5 missions days accrued annually, maternity and paternity leave, FMLA, Bereavement, and weekly accrued PTO (40 hours to use after 30 days + 80 hours accrued for 48 weeks)
• Health club or home workout benefits for participating staff
• Formal staff development and leadership training
• Spiritual support and counseling through our staff support office
• Repeatedly certified as a Best Christian Workplace