Program Manager at thinkahead

AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation. At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.  We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.  The Program Manager is responsible for the management of assigned technical projects. The Program Manager’s duties include facilitating coaching and mentoring to the junior project management staff. The Program Manager executes day-to-day management of assigned project segments. In addition, the Program Manager manages the group of projects, providing a single point of knowledge and control for the aggregate effort. Responsibilities: • Plan and coordinate all aspects of technical projects from initiation through delivery. • Ensure service delivery success and customer satisfaction through effective project management. • Manage project initiation activities, which include the identification of contractual obligations, client needs and goals, existing situations, and necessary contacts. Gain access to existing information as needed. • Develop, define, and execute project plans, project scope, activities, schedules, budgets and deliverables. • Identify needed resources for projects while defining and assigning major project roles. • Coordinate activities and tasks among project team members, other internal departments, and client or vendor/subcontractor organizations as needed to meet project goals, and ensures project completion is on schedule, within budget constraints, and of the appropriate quality standards for the project scope. • Assign and monitor work of project team, providing technical and analytical support and direction. • Interface with clients on technical matters as needed. • Manage project risks, issues/problems, and activity progress to ensure project goals (e.g., deadline, scope and quality) are achieved. • Assist with problem resolution or risk mitigation as needed. • Manage the integration of vendor/subcontractor tasks as well as track and review vendor/subcontractor deliverables, if appropriate for the project. • Serve as liaison between technical and non-technical teams and vendor/subcontractor organizations to ensure all project targets and requirements are met. • Conduct project closure activities to formalize and communicate the project acceptance, handover documentation, and ongoing activities. This includes completing a post-implementation review to identify areas of improvement. • Directly oversee employees assigned to project. Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure efficient operation of the function. • Identify project management coordination process gaps or areas for improvement. Recommend and implements solutions. • Utilize Ahead systems (PSA, etc.) to maintain updated project information. • Assist in presales efforts including OA, SOWs, and customer presentations. • Develop customer relationships and aids in identifying additional sales opportunities. • Qualifications: • Strong ability to independently manage medium to high risk, high complexity, and high client visibility projects. • Knowledgeable of project management standards, processes, procedures and guidelines using both Agile and Waterfall methodologies • Knowledgeable of industry project management best practices (i.e., Project Management Body of Knowledge - PMBOK). • Knowledgeable of the company's products and services. • Solid understanding of various types of IT project methodologies and life cycles (e.g., conversions, incremental, rapid delivery, classic or traditional waterfall phases of analysis, design, development, testing, and implementation) and the correct project application. • Excellent analysis, problem-solving, team, conflict management, and time management skills. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Must have experience with data center infrastructure, hardware and/or software. • Possess advanced skills in the use of project management software. • Demonstrate ability to manage project budgets and timelines. • Must be adept with the use of negotiation techniques to reach agreement when there are widely differing viewpoints. • Effectively facilitate interaction with executive level clients. • Able to consistently set clear expectations, manage team performance, and build high morale among team members. • Successfully maintain confidentiality and carry out assignments that are sensitive in nature. • Willingness to show initiative in areas outside of core responsibilities when needed • Comfortable in a highly dynamic environment Why AHEAD: Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between. We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning. India Employment Benefits include:  Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employees, with options to extend coverage to dependents Paid time off and company holidays, along with additional leave benefits as per policy Flexible work arrangements, supporting work-life balance Learning and development opportunities to support continuous growth and upskilling Employee wellness initiatives and programs focused on physical and mental well-being Retirement and statutory benefits in line with India regulations Inclusive and people-first culture, with a strong focus on collaboration and ownership