Program Manager - Virtual

Alight; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 145,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Alight seeks an execution-focused Program Manager to independently lead complex, cross-functional programs from initiation through implementation, client acceptance and stabilization.

The Program Manager connects Business, Product, Engineering, Delivery, Finance and vendors into one executable path and is accountable for the practical delivery system: a credible plan, explicit ownership, managed dependencies, financial control, timely decisions and objective evidence of completion.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive project/program experience, including independent leadership of complex cross-functional initiatives spanning Business, Product, Technology/Engineering, Delivery and/or external partners.
• PMP, Agile or equivalent certification supported by successful program delivery.
• Ability to take incomplete scope or fragmented team plans and create a realistic, dependency-driven execution baseline without continuous direction.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain an executable delivery baseline by translating approved objectives into work packages, milestones and ownership.
• Independently drive cross-functional action with accountable decisions, due dates and measurable outcomes.
• Manage delivery risks, dependencies and decisions with RAID, dependencies and escalation where needed.
• Connect business needs through testing, client readiness and acceptance across solution design, vendor deliverables, testing and deployment.
• Own program financials and capacity discipline, including forecasting and variance management.

Skills

Project management

Program management

Agile

Risk management

Leadership

Job description

Our Story

At Alight, we believe a company’s success starts with its people. Alight embraces values that come directly from our people – purposeful, human, united and growth-minded – reflecting our inclusive culture and promise that our clients expect. We are passionate about connecting purpose with impact. Alight empowers clients to build a healthier and more financially secure workforce by unifying the benefits ecosystem across health, wealth, wellbeing, navigation, and absence management.

Our Benefits

With a comprehensive total rewards package, Alight offers programs and plans that support your mind, body, wallet, and life. Benefits include health, dental and vision coverages starting Day One. Additionally, Alight colleagues enjoy wellbeing programs, retirement plans with contribution matching, generous time off, parental leave, continuing education, and career growth opportunities – all within a thriving global organization.

Flexible Working

So that you can be your best at work and home, we consider flexible working arrangements wherever possible. Alight has been a leader in the flexible workspace and “Top 100 Company for Remote Jobs” 6 years in a row.

Great Place to Work

Thanks to the work of every colleague, Alight has received multiple awards of recognition including “Great Place to Work” for the past 7 years and Fortune’s “Best Companies to Work For.”

Alight seeks an execution-focused Program Manager

Alight seeks an execution-focused Program Manager to independently lead complex, cross-functional programs from initiation through implementation, client/business acceptance and stabilization. Programs may span business process change, product and platform capabilities, customer or employee experiences, operational enablement, regulatory commitments or enterprise modernization. The Program Manager connects Business, Product, Engineering, Delivery, Finance and vendors into one executable path and is accountable for the practical delivery system: a credible plan, explicit ownership, managed dependencies, financial control, timely decisions and objective evidence of completion. The role must take initiative, recover off-track work and drive resolution.

What You Will Own

Build and maintain an executable delivery baseline Translate approved objectives, scope and requirements into work packages, delivery sequence, dependencies, milestones, assigned owners, estimates, acceptance measures and relevant lifecycle control points. Connect Product/PDLC, Engineering/SDLC and downstream client/business readiness; challenge missing inputs, contradictory dates and unsupported assumptions before commitments are accepted.

Independently drive cross-functional action Establish and lead working sessions that result in accountable decisions, owners, due dates and measurable outcomes. Follow through to closure; remove impediments or elevate unresolved tradeoffs with recommended next steps rather than escalating routine coordination to leadership.

Manage delivery risks, dependencies and decisions Own actionable RAID, decision, action and change records tied to actual schedule, scope, cost, quality and readiness consequences. Identify risks early, drive mitigation with named owners, diagnose root causes when work slips and maintain realistic recovery alternatives with a recommended path.

Connect business needs through testing, client readiness and acceptance Integrate business outcomes and Product requirements with solution design, build/configuration, vendor deliverables, testing, defect resolution, acceptance, training/change impacts, client or operational readiness, release/deployment and stabilization where applicable. Require agreed exit criteria and evidence—not reported percent complete alone.

Own program financial, scope and capacity discipline Maintain the approved scope and financial baseline, resource assumptions, internal labor and vendor/third-party spend, forecast-to-actual variance and estimate-to-complete. Partner with Finance for accounting treatment and validation while retaining practitioner accountability for the forecast. Drive timely decisions on sequencing, prioritization, scope, capacity, cost or timing tradeoffs before variance threatens committed outcomes.

Provide decision-grade reporting and governance Generate accurate forecasts and concise executive updates from current planning and delivery artifacts. Separate facts, assumptions, options and asks. Make governance forums decision-oriented and ensure that prior decisions produce observable actions.

Enable repeatable centralized execution Use common Program Execution controls, standards and artifacts while adapting the delivery method to the work. Use approved PPM and AI-enabled automation to reduce administrative effort and improve synthesis where appropriate, while personally owning the quality of the plan, forecast, decisions and stakeholder commitments. Maintain knowledge-transfer materials so a program can be transitioned or reassigned without loss of execution continuity.

Required Execution Deliverables

• Validated program charter or scope baseline, integrated execution plan and delivery roadmap with owners, critical dependencies, key milestones, estimates and acceptance/readiness criteria.
• Current, decision-useful RAID, dependency, issue, action and change records with demonstrated closure and timely escalations.
• Current program financial forecast with labor/resource assumptions, vendor spend, forecast-to-actual variance, estimate-to-complete and documented corrective actions for material variance.
• Traceable progression from approved requirements and Product/Engineering commitments through testing, client/business acceptance, implementation and operational readiness as applicable.
• Concise factual milestone reporting and forward-looking forecast, including corrective plans when dates or assumptions are challenged.
• Completed transition and stabilization handoff with accountable receiving owners and unresolved exceptions tracked.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of progressive project/program experience, including independent leadership of complex cross-functional initiatives spanning Business, Product, Technology/Engineering, Delivery and/or external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to take incomplete scope or fragmented team plans and create a realistic, dependency-driven execution baseline without continuous direction.
• Track record of closing blockers, influencing leaders without direct authority and holding stakeholders accountable through practical follow-through and escalation.
• Proven knowledge of risk, issue, action, decision, dependency, change, capacity, financial forecast and milestone management; comfortable challenging optimistic or inconsistent delivery reporting and driving recovery.
• Working understanding of Product/PDLC, Engineering/SDLC, testing, implementation, client/business readiness and acceptance; able to adapt across Agile, waterfall and hybrid approaches without imposing process for its own sake.

Preferred Experience

• Experience delivering enterprise technology-enabled change, operational improvements, product launches, customer/client enablement, vendor integrations or regulated initiatives.
• Experience with organizational change, distributed delivery teams and/or portfolio governance; exposure to regulated or client-facing environments is valuable.
• PMP, Agile or equivalent certification supported by successful program delivery.

Application and Interview

By applying for a position with Alight, you understand that, should you be made an offer, it will be contingent on your undergoing and successfully completing a background check consistent with Alight’s employment policies. Background checks may include some or all the following based on the nature of the position: SSN/SIN validation, education verification, employment verification, and criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, credit check, and/or drug test. You will be notified during the hiring process which checks are required by the position.

Alight requires all virtual interviews to be conducted on video. Please be aware that Alight is a camera-on culture and may require occasional travel to one of our physical office locations.

Our commitment to Inclusion

We celebrate differences and believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We know that diverse teams are stronger, more innovative, and more successful.

At Alight, we welcome and embrace all individuals, regardless of their background, and are dedicated to creating a culture that enables every employee to thrive. Join us in building a brighter, more inclusive future.

As part of this commitment, Alight will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail] .

Equal Opportunity Policy Statement

Alight is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against anyone based on sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics or conduct covered by federal, state, or local law. In addition, we take affirmative action to employ disabled persons, disabled veterans, and other covered veterans.

Alight provides reasonable accommodations to the known limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants for employment with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, practices and observances, unless doing so would result in undue hardship. Applicants for employment may request reasonable accommodations/modifications by contacting their recruiter.

Authorization to work in the Employing Country

Applicants for employment in the country in which they are applying (Employing Country) must have work authorization that does not, now or in the future, require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the Employing Country and with Alight.

Note, this job description does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

We offer you a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization.

Salary Pay Range

Minimum : 145,000.00 USD

Maximum : 168,000.00 USD

DISCLAIMER

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

Alight Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, veteran, marital, parental, citizenship, or domestic partner status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law. Alight Solutions is committed to a diverse workforce and is an affirmative action employer.