Program Manager III

Kforce Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kforce Inc. in San Diego, CA is seeking a Program Manager III to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive delivery of high-impact programs. You will shape strategy, coordinate teams, and ensure alignment with senior leadership.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and 7+ years in strategic program management, with strong communication, structure-building, and the ability to operate in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment. PMP is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Organizational Management, Communications, or related field.
• PMP certification or equivalent a plus.
• 7+ years in strategic program management, strategy and operations, or chief of staff functions.
• Experience owning high-visibility, cross-functional initiatives and engaging senior leadership.
• Ability to operate in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment with structure.

Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of P0 level cross-functional initiatives - assess what the initiative requires, define the path forward, and drive execution.
• Build structure around complex programs where roles, responsibilities, and timelines are undefined - create clarity from ambiguity.
• Track and report on initiative status to keep senior leadership informed.
• Drive follow-through on commitments and resolve issues before escalation.
• Own preparation for key leadership meetings - agendas, pre-reads, and follow-up actions.
• Establish and maintain operating cadences - reporting cycles and leadership check-ins.
• Build transition documentation for incoming permanent staff - capture status and open items.

Skills

Strategic program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related

MBA preferred

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

A client with Kforce is seeking a Program Manager III to join their team in San Diego, CA. Responsibilities:

Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of P0 level cross-functional initiatives - assess what the initiative requires, define the path forward, and drive execution
• Build structure around complex programs where roles, responsibilities, and timelines are undefined - create clarity from ambiguity and get the right people moving
• Track and report on initiative status - ensuring senior leadership has what they need to make decisions and stay informed
• Drive follow-through on commitments - proactively identify when things are off track and resolve before escalation is required
• Own preparation for key leadership meetings - agendas, pre-reads, and follow-up actions
• Establish and maintain operating cadences - reporting cycles, recurring leadership forums, and check-ins
• Build transition documentation for incoming permanent staff - capturing program status, decisions made, and open items

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required in Business Administration, Organizational Management, Communications, or related field; Advanced degree in Business Administration, Strategy, or Operations preferred
• PMP certification or equivalent a plus
• 7+ years of experience in strategic program management, strategy and operations, or chief of staff functions
• Demonstrated experience owning high-visibility, cross-functional initiatives in complex organizations - not as a coordinator but as the person driving outcomes
• Experience working directly with or in support of senior leadership in a fast-moving environment
• Prior experience in a newly formed, high-growth, or high-ambiguity organization preferred
• Demonstrated experience owning complex, cross-functional strategic programs from ambiguous brief to completed outcome - not managing tasks but driving results
• Experience working across functions and levels without positional authority - gets alignment and keeps people accountable
• Comfortable stepping into unclear situations and creating structure without waiting for direction
• Strong structured thinking - takes an ambiguous brief and produces a clear plan with owners, milestones, and decision points quickly and independently
• Excellent written and verbal communication - status updates, decision documents, and meeting prep are clear, concise, and actionable for senior leadership
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent high-priority programs without dropping threads
• Professional maturity to work directly with senior leadership - trusted, calm under pressure, and discreet
• Proactive and self-directed - anticipates what is needed before being asked
• Adaptable - comfortable working in a newly formed function where priorities shift and the playbook is being written in real time

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.