IT Program Manager at Southern Company in Atlanta, GA

Job Description

IT Program Manager - Responsible for overseeing programs and large projects within a department or business unit. Assess and advise on improving process and methodologies of current project management implications throughout the project timeline, including development of strategies, readiness assessment, development of training and communications. Works with project managers to identify redundancies and duplications of efforts across projects within a program and eliminate them. Acts as a mentor to project managers. Able to motivate project managers to build cooperative work teams. Able to identify, develop, and direct team members’ strengths, technological resources, and organizational processes to build teams. Advanced in the use of project management software/ concepts. Comprehensive knowledge of the business unit’s functions. Strong communication skills to work with senior management to deliver requirements. Strong analytical, problem solving, quality management, and organizational skills. Comprehensive understanding of project management theory and team dynamics. Proven ability to effectively collaborate with others, initiate action and adapt to change. Proven ability to make tough decisions and accept challenging assignments. Demonstrated ability to accurately estimate costs and develop and implement project plans within budgetary guidelines. 4-year degree. PMP certification.

JOB SUMMARY:

Incumbents for this position are those who possess high technical expertise, advanced knowledge in a particular application, technology field, high demand specialty or highly complex business area. This position is a senior-level principal position within the PMO with overall responsibility for the management of a highly complex or enterprise-wide program consisting of multiple projects. Responsible for managing all aspects of the design, development, and implementation of the program. Provides daily work direction and mentors a team of project managers and/or other project management staff for a program with 2–6 projects. Ensures integration of the various projects in the program and adjusts project scope, timing, and budgets as needed, based on the needs of the business. Interfaces directly with all levels of leadership to manage and communicate program strategy, governance structure, status, and any changes to the program. Responsible for delivering all projects contained in the program on time, within budget, and in alignment with the defined scope and business requirements. Responsible for tracking key program and project milestones and recommending adjustments to the responsible project managers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills)

Bachelor’s degree in related field highly desirable
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or Program Management Professional (PgPM) certification preferred
Possess high technical expertise, advanced knowledge in software development, ERP applications, or demand specialty that is critical in managing a highly complex or enterprise-wide Program
A minimum of 7 years of experience managing multiple high complexity projects in a matrix resource environment, working with diverse project sponsors across multiple business units
Experience influencing and managing project teams without formal direct reporting relationships
Comprehensive knowledge of PMI based project management competency areas and methodologies and experience applying these methods to manage successful projects
Analytical skills are required to effectively manage activities related to budgeting, forecasting, monitoring, process management, risk management, quality control, and reporting
Proven ability and determination to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
Strong oral and written communication skills and experience, leveraging these skills to interact with all levels of management
Effective interpersonal skills required to develop and maintain system-wide and external relationships
High-level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Project
Experience leading project within the Gas Utility industry preferred

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Specify major duties performed by the job and percentage (%) of time spent on duties.

Lead and provide work direction to a team of project managers and business leaders to determine program scope, devise and maintain a workable plan, and to develop and deploy the solution in accordance with the needs of the program.
Serve as a communication clearing house for all formal program status reporting
Assess dependencies amongst the projects in the program and monitor the progress of projects to ensure continuous alignment with program objectives
Develop and maintain all program deliverables throughout the program lifecycle and review the deliverables of the project managers on the program
Identify program risk, develop a risk management plan and actively manage risk throughout the program lifecycle
Identify and communicate the collective resource requirements of the program and work with responsible managers on the development and maintenance of a resource plan
Manage interaction between the customer, vendors, and the internal project team members to ensure that appropriate relationships exist to produce positive program and project outcomes
Develop and manage the governance structure and change control process for the program.
Responsible for the status reporting, program estimating, monthly cost accounting and vendor invoice processing
Develops and/or monitors vendor deliverables in compliance with binding statements of work

ROLE SPECIFIC SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Experience with driving/managing enterprise application implementations or software development projects.
Experience leading large cross-functional teams made of vendor and full-time resources.
High-level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Visio, and Project
High-level of proficiency using Microsoft SharePoint