Senior Program Manager - Principal

Global Technical Talent, an Inc. 5000 Company; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Information Systems Technology Services is seeking a Senior Principal Program Manager to lead a portfolio of infrastructure initiatives with a strategic, executive focus. This role manages large cross-functional programs within lean governance, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery for portfolios valued at $500M+.

The position requires a track record at a Director level or higher, strong stakeholder management, and a passion for delivering complex, high-impact results in a utility/energy context.

Qualifications

• 10 years of technology program and project management experience.
• Clear career progression: Project Coordinator → Project Manager → Program Manager/Director.

Responsibilities

• Oversee IT projects to align with business goals and tech objectives.
• Develop strategic plans for IT programs with milestones and metrics.
• Manage budgets and ensure projects stay within allocated funds.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Lead cross-functional teams and maintain stakeholder transparency.
• Maintain project documentation and governance.

Skills

Portfolio management

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder communications

Budget management

SAFe Agile

Planisware

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

PMP certification (preferred)

SAFe Agilist certification (preferred)

Tools

Planisware

Job description

Onsite Flexibility: Hybrid — 1 day/week onsite

• Position Type: Direct Hire

Senior Program Manager - Principal

Location: Oakland, CA

Onsite Flexibility: Hybrid — 1 day/week onsite

Job Details

• Position Type: Direct Hire
• Pay / Salary: $144,000–$194,000 / Year (USD)

Job Summary

Information Systems Technology Services is a unified organization comprised of various departments which collaborate effectively in order to deliver high quality technology solutions, powering the organization with innovative solutions and services that drive reliability, security, and customer satisfaction. We are the trusted, climate-resilient, smart, digital utility platform that redefines the customer energy experience.

We are seeking a highly skilled and accomplished Principal Program Manager to lead and manage a portfolio of infrastructure initiatives. This executive role requires a strategic leader with a proven track record in delivering complex projects within defined timelines, budgets, and scope. Adept in managing stakeholder expectations, foster seamless cross-functional collaboration, and driven by a passion for innovative problem-solving.

The position functions as part of a Lean Portfolio Management team supporting the Customer and Energy Systems organization. The role involves overseeing and delivering large-scale, complex programs and applications, with a strong focus on governance, oversight, and driving results. The ideal candidate will have portfolio management experience managing large, complex programs, preferably at a Director level, with responsibility for portfolios valued at $500 million or more.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate various IT projects to ensure they align with business goals and technology strategic objectives, including managing project interdependencies and ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for IT programs, including setting project goals, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure successful delivery.
• Manage program and project budgets, ensuring financial resources are used efficiently and projects are completed within the allocated budget.
• Identify potential risks to the success of projects and develop comprehensive mitigation plans to address these risks proactively.
• Lead cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and effective communication among team members from different departments to achieve project objectives.
• Regularly update stakeholders on project progress, changes, and any issues that arise, ensuring transparency and alignment with business objectives.
• Track project milestones and assess the performance of projects to ensure they meet the set objectives and deliver the expected outcomes.
• Ensure project teams have the necessary resources, including personnel, technology, and tools, for timely and efficient execution of their tasks.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, communication plans, risk logs, and status reports, to ensure all project information is accurately recorded and accessible.
• Ensure robust project governance to ensure compliance with internal audit requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in the delivery of IT programs by identifying opportunities for process enhancements and implementing best practices.

Required Experience

• 10 years of technology program and project management experience.
• Demonstrated clear and natural career progression: Project Coordinator → Project Manager → Program Manager/Director.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• 15 years of experience in technology program and project management.
• Utility experience; however, candidates with enterprise-level experience within an IT department will also be a good fit for this role.
• Portfolio management experience at a Director level, with responsibility for portfolios valued at $500 million or more.

Required Skills

• Strong background in IT portfolio and program management within large, complex organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage program and project budgets, stakeholder communications, risk mitigation, and cross-functional team leadership.
• Experience with project performance tracking, milestone management, and project governance.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with a PPM tool such as Planisware for project tracking and portfolio management.
• Familiarity with SAFe Agile methodologies.
• Familiarity with SAFe Lean Portfolio Management.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• PMP certification from PMI preferred.
• SAFe Agilist certification preferred.

About the Client

This client is a leading utility and energy company serving approximately 16 million people across a 70,000-square-mile service area spanning northern and central California, making it one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy utilities in the United States. With roughly 25,000 employees, the organization operates some of the most complex energy infrastructure in the country — transmission lines, pipelines, substations, and generation facilities — and is actively managing the intersection of traditional infrastructure and emerging clean energy solutions. Professionals who thrive here include program managers, systems analysts, data specialists, AI solutions product owners, and supply chain management leads who collaborate across technology and energy systems teams in support of the organization's long-term digital transformation strategy.

Job Number: 26-17982 Industry: Operations & Management