IT Program Manager, Data at International Rescue Committee

Background/IRC Summary: 

Technology and Operations supports the organization’s work by providing reliable and scalable solutions for offices around the world.

The Data Team at IRC is responsible for the design and delivery of data technology and data programs at the IRC. Our team is committed to high-impact results by encouraging relationships across the organization, driving continuous improvement, and delivering value through the implementation of high-quality, strategic data programs. 

Job Overview/Summary: 

The Data Program Manager will be part of the project management team (which includes other Project/Program Managers) and responsible for supporting Business Partnerships, Analytics Strategy, Architecture Strategy, Data Governance practices and Data Protection practices. 

In this role, the Program Manager will require the use of Agile methodologies to successfully implement program workstreams. This includes leading and managing product backlog management, sprint planning, task management, etc. They will act as scrum master by educating the team on scrum, facilitating the various scrum events, and removing any obstacles faced by the architecture and analytics teams. 

This position will be responsible for developing comprehensive and user-friendly documentation that provides our partners with a clear and robust understanding of our products, programs and processes. These programs include supporting movement of data to the Data Lakehouse, the Data Governance and Data Governance Workstreams and the deployment of the  Enterprise Data Catalog. They will also work closely with product managers in managing the build out of product and project roadmaps. 

The right candidate loves the intersection of data, technology, and operations. They want to help a humanitarian organization do more with data. They are highly organized and aspirational, adept at collaborating with a small team or working alone, have a high level of emotional intelligence (e.g., empathy, self-awareness, self-management), a positive outlook, and seek feedback for continuous improvement.

Job Requirements: 

• Excellent project management skills, with demonstrated track record of applying program management principles, practices and techniques with a strong results orientation.
• Facilitate agile scrum duties including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives
• Experience using project management software tools, such as Jira, Monday.com and MS Azure DevOps to effectively lead, manage, monitor and control project activities.
• Lead cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams across all phases of the software development lifecycle
• Ability to develop positive partnerships with both the technology and business user communities. Self-motivated and a problem solver who can assess and develop strategies for achieving the needs of the user community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills– Ability to speak to technical-level staff and develop written reporting and presentational content with level-appropriate messaging up to and including the senior executive level.
• Independent and resourceful – able to identify unique solutions to address complex challenges with limited guidance.
• Excellent skills in productivity software (Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Visio and other tools) and experience crafting high-quality work products
• Document and analyze organizational needs across multiple departments and translate them into program actions and requirements
• Develop and implement standard methodologies and processes that facilitate fast and efficient team operations.
• Continuously build and maintain clarity in program work plans, roadmaps, status, risks, and mitigation plans

Position Reports to: Sr. Data Portfolio Manager

Minimum Requirements:

• Demonstrable related work experience in similar roles
• Experience with program/project management tools (e.g. Monday.com, Trello, Jira, Microsoft Planner)
• Strong ability to enforce and Agile methodologies through a SCRUM master role
• Experience working with highly technical resources
• Ability to build and maintain high-quality technical documentation
• Ability to lead, manage, and be flexible to change course through ambiguity
• Strong track record of effectively communicating advanced technical concepts to partners and team members with varying levels of technical expertise
• Self-starter and a critical thinker that can work independently and drive projects forward
• The ability to learn global humanitarian aid programming (e.g. supply chain, grant proposals, program design, procurement) quickly. Prior global NGO experience preferred.