Director, Program Management- Tech - Platform & Data - Hybrid - Seattle

Come join us in a key leadership role overseeing the Platform and Data’s program management capability within the Technology organization at Nordstrom!  We are renovating the way we tackle critical technology initiatives and how we continuously deliver value to the business. 

This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale, complex programs and projects across the organization. This role involves strategic oversight, cross-functional coordination, and management of multiple teams to ensure that technology initiatives align with business objectives and are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Program Leadership and Strategy: 

• Lead and Drive Strategic Programs: In partnership with your team of Program Managers, oversee and manage multiple cross-functional technology programs, from initial conception through delivery. Ensure programs align with organizational objectives and deliver tangible business value. 

• Develop Program Roadmaps: Create and maintain program roadmaps that reflect project timelines, resources, dependencies, and key milestones and roll-up to a comprehensive portfolio roadmap. 

• Ensure Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with senior leadership to define and refine program objectives that support the overall business strategy and goals. 

Cross-Functional Team Management: 

• Program Team Leadership: Lead and mentor program managers and other project team members across various technical and non-technical domains. Foster a collaborative, high-performance environment. 

• Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders at all levels, ensuring their needs and expectations are clearly communicated and addressed. 

• Resource Planning: Manage program resourcing, including staffing and budget allocations, ensuring that the program has the necessary resources for successful delivery. 

Risk and Issue Management: 

• Proactively Manage Risks: Identify and mitigate risks throughout the lifecycle of Platform & Data (PND) programs, including financial, technical, and operational risks. 

• Resolve Program Issues: Address and resolve program issues or roadblocks that may impact the delivery, ensuring minimal disruption to timelines and outcomes. 

Program Delivery and Execution: 

• Ensure Program Delivery: Oversee the execution of all program components, ensuring they are delivered on-time, within scope, and meet quality standards. 

• Quality Assurance: Work with quality assurance teams to ensure that solutions and deliverables meet business and technical requirements. 

• Monitor Program Performance: Track key performance indicators (KPIs), program health metrics, and overall progress to ensure alignment with goals and timelines. 

Budget and Financial Oversight: 

• Financial Management: Develop and manage the program budget, ensuring financial targets are met, and making necessary adjustments to stay within budget. 

• Cost Optimization: Identify opportunities to optimize program costs without sacrificing quality or scope. 

Reporting and Communication: 

• Executive Reporting: Provide regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders on program statuses, risks, and milestones. 

• Transparent Communication: Ensure clear, transparent communication within the program team and across the organization, fostering an open feedback culture. 

Continuous Improvement and Consistency at-scale: 

• Program Management Methodology and Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to stand-up new mechanisms, processes, and best practices to drive consistency, quality, program management methodology at-scale.  

• Mentorship: Coach and develop program management talent across the organization, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred). 

• 10+ years of experience in leading program or project management teams, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within the technology or software industry. 

• Proven experience managing large, complex programs with cross-functional teams. 

• Strong understanding of software development processes (Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid methodologies). 

• Experience managing budgets, schedules, and resources for large-scale technology initiatives. 

• Demonstrated ability to deliver programs on time and within budget, with clear and measurable business impact. 

Skills: 

• Leadership: Strong leadership and team-building skills, with a focus on motivating and developing high-performance teams. 

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to engage with and manage stakeholders at all levels of the organization. 

• Risk Management: Deep understanding of risk management practices and the ability to address complex issues in real-time. 

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. 

• Problem-Solving: Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering results. 

Certifications (Preferred): 

• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or similar credentials. 

• Agile/Scrum certification (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster). 

• Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus. 

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