Senior Program Manager

Abbott; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 129,000 - 259,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Senior Program Manager, Strategic Programs, to lead enterprise‑scale digital, cybersecurity and AI initiatives. Based in IL, you will drive cross‑functional teams, manage budgets and timelines, and partner with senior leaders in a fast‑paced, regulated environment.

You will oversee program execution across modern software development efforts, reduce technical debt, and deliver measurable outcomes while maintaining compliance with FDA and PCI regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience managing global cross functional programs.
• Experience working in FDA-regulated environments and PCI-regulated environments.
• Proven track record of delivering high‑quality, complex programs successfully.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and manage all aspects of digital programs, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure.
• Lead project planning, scheduling, tracking, risk management, and status reporting.
• Ensure program compliance with internal procedures and external regulations.
• Drive cross‑functional problem solving and effective communication across stakeholders.
• Prioritize work across programs with management to balance resources and deadlines.
• Provide regular executive‑level updates and lead program reviews.

Skills

Program leadership

Cross-functional teams

Agile methodologies

FDA-regulated environments

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or business

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to :

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This role is based in our Lake County or downtown Chicago locations within Digital Technology Services (DTS).

We are seeking a proven program leader with a track record of delivering complex, global technology initiatives who is comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.

As the Senior Program Manager, Strategic Programs, you will lead enterprise‑scale digital, cybersecurity and AI programs that matter. You will drive execution across modern software development efforts, reduce technical debt, and deliver measurable outcomes within a highly regulated, global environment. You will partner closely with senior business and technology leaders and manage critical stakeholders.

This role is well‑suited for a leader with strong program fundamentals and sharp attention to detail.

What You’ll Work On

• Plan, execute, and manage all aspects of digital programs, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure.
• Lead project planning, scheduling, tracking, risk management, and status reporting.
• Ensure program compliance with all internal procedures and applicable external regulations.
• Drive resolution through effective cross‑functional problem solving, communication, and integration.
• Partner with Project Owners, functional leaders, and management to prioritize work across programs, balancing resource availability, timelines, deliverables, and business priorities.
• Demonstrate agility and flexibility in a fast‑paced environment while meeting aggressive program schedules.
• Champion PMO best practices to strengthen project planning, execution, prioritization, governance, and change management within Digital Programs.
• Facilitate Program Review meetings with stakeholders and provide clear, regular executive‑level updates.
• Analyze complex business problems, develop alternative solutions, and support leadership in selecting and executing long‑term action plans.
• Anticipate future risks and challenges, resolve current issues, and continuously improve based on lessons learned and prior program outcomes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for third‑party vendors and external partners.
• Provide leadership on strategic business initiatives, driving cross‑functional teams to achieve agreed‑upon milestones and deliverables.
• Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams.
• Engage with senior leadership to align program strategies and key decisions.
• Prepare and deliver clear, compelling written and verbal communications for diverse internal and external audiences, tailoring content and style as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience managing global cross functional programs.
• Demonstrated expertise with project and program management tools, methodologies, and governance processes.
• Experience working in FDA‑regulated environments (e.g., validated software supporting medical, pharmaceutical, or life sciences products) and PCI‑regulated environments.
• Proven track record of delivering high‑quality, complex programs successfully.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI, cybersecurity and infrastructure is highly preferred.
• Strong technical background in cross‑functional program management with demonstrated people leadership, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and career development.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and align stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Working knowledge of modern software development methodologies (Agile/Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and tools such as JIRA and Confluence.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with experience building, leading, and developing high‑performing teams, including setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and supporting growth through mentoring and stretch opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills, including executive‑level presence demonstrated through clear, concise, and confident engagement with senior leaders; strong executive presentations, facilitation, negotiation, decision‑making, and problem solving; and the ability to synthesize complex information, influence outcomes, and translate strategy into clear direction for teams.

Misc :

This is an onsite role at Abbott locations in IL. This is not a remote role/opportunity.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $129,300.00 – $258,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.