Program Manager, Senior

Zebra; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

hybrid work

Summer Flex Fridays

Focus Fridays

Well-being day

Job summary

Zebra is seeking a Sr Program Manager in a hybrid work environment within the United States. You will lead cross‑functional teams across engineering, product management, marketing, and operations to drive complex programs from planning through to delivery.

Strong emphasis on schedule, budget, and stakeholder communication is required. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of program management experience, a Bachelor’s degree, and preferably PMP certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with 5+ years of program management experience.
• Strong ability to lead cross‑functional teams and manage budgets.
• Familiarity with PMI PMBOK concepts and project documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead program plans for moderate to significant scope, including novel products.
• Document and communicate project plans using standard tools.
• Direct work of core team across engineering, product, marketing, and operations.
• Establish and optimize program timelines and budgets.
• Coordinate cross‑functional activities to meet milestones on time and budget.
• Provide concise status updates to senior management and stakeholders.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

PMP certification

MS Project

MS Office

Communication & facilitation

Presentation skills

Budget & scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Overview: At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges. Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organisations, their employees, and those they serve. You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally. Come make an impact every day at Zebra.

What We're Looking For

Zebra’s Sr Program Managers are responsible for the successful launch of Zebra’s products and solutions by leading cross-functional teams to achieve Zebra’s goals. As a Sr Program Manager, you will collect, interpret, and deliver feedback and status, hold the core team accountable for deliverables, and delegate assignments while staying on schedule, cost, and budget.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Planning & Scope: Acts independently to generate and drive the project plan for programs of moderate to significant scope, including novel products or services. May lead multiple complex programs simultaneously or manage parts of a larger overarching program.

Methodology & Documentation: Uses established industry tools, approaches, methodologies, and templates to build, document, and communicate the project plan effectively to the team.

Team Leadership & Resourcing: Collaborates with key stakeholders to nominate and select core team members. Directs the work of the project team, coordinating members from a wide range of disciplines including engineering, product management, marketing, and operations.

Financial & Timeline Management: Establishes, manages, and independently optimises programme timelines and budgets with minimal management oversight, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.

Cross-Functional Execution: Organises cross-functional activities to ensure programme completion on schedule and within budget constraints. Owns regular meeting coordination, facilitation, and comprehensive documentation of progress.

Stakeholder Alignment: Interprets inputs from the project team to assemble a consolidated view of programme status. Provides tailored, concise status updates to senior management and owns ensuring alignment from key leaders on milestone achievements before advancing the programme.

Business Acumen & Accountability: Demonstrates the ability to see cross-functional impacts of decisions. Balances scope, schedule, and budget trade-offs to adjust the project with minimal business impact, assuming personal accountability for the programme's success against strategic objectives.

Obstacle Resolution: Manages programme deliverables independently. Proactively anticipates and personally addresses moderate to significant obstacles, actively engaging additional resources or escalating to senior management only to resolve highly complex roadblocks.

Advanced Project Management: Demonstrates intermediate to advanced application of Program Management methodologies, including active use of PMI PMBOK concepts and terminology. Effectively utilises PM tools to design staffing plans, evaluate task dependencies and develop exhaustive risk management plans.

Go-to-Market Support: Demonstrates a deep understanding of end-to-end development processes and product launch scope, actively supporting early-stage go-to-market activities and transitions to marketing.

Mentorship: May coach, mentor, or act as an escalation point for Level1 or Level2 Program Managers.

Autonomy: Operates with very limited supervision from management, which is expected only when navigating exceptionally complex or unprecedented problems.

Job Requirements

Preferred Education: Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Work Experience:5+years of experience

Key Skills and Competencies: Intermediate to advanced communication and facilitation skills. Formal training preferred. Intermediate to advanced presentation skills. Demonstrated comfort in presenting to mid to senior level cross‑functional audiences. Demonstrated working knowledge of advanced concepts with programme management approaches, tools and methodologies. PMP certification preferred. Intermediate to advanced skills in PC based documentation tools including MS Office and MS Project. Intermediate to advanced skills in delegation and follow up. Demonstrated working knowledge / experience of technical business unit assigned to (Hardware, Software, Services, etc.)

Equal Opportunity Employer

Zebra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability and protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at [e-mail].

Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf Conozca sus Derechos: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRightsSp_10\_20.pdf

Pay Range

Pay Range: $108,960.00 - $163,440.00

Annual Incentive Compensation

In addition to base pay, Zebra offers this role the opportunity to earn a performance‑based annual cash incentive, at a target equal to 12% of base pay, in accordance with the terms of the applicable incentive plan.

Zebra Total Rewards

Zebra Total Rewards includes more than just pay and is structured to meet the needs of our changing global business and evolving talent. We are committed to providing our employees with a benefits programme that is comprehensive and competitive – including healthcare, wellness, inclusion networks, and continued learning and development offerings. We offer community service days, in addition to the traditional insurances, compensation, parental leave, employee assistance programme and paid time off offerings depending on the country where you work. Salary offered will vary depending on your location, job‑related skills, knowledge, and experience. Additionally, all Zebra roles are eligible for cash incentive programmes. For example, sales roles have additional opportunity to earn substantial variable compensation tied to quota achievement. In most other roles, the Zebra annual cash incentive programme links Company and individual performance together. Some roles may also be eligible for long‑term incentive equity awards.

Benefits

Benefits: We understand the importance of work‑life balance and wellbeing, which is why we offer flexibility for our teams including:

• hybrid work
• adaptable hours
• Summer Flex Fridays
• Focus Fridays
• an annual companywide well‑being day to promote revitalisation and success