Director Technical Program Management - Nordstrom Platform & Data - Hybrid - Seattle

Come join us in a key leadership role overseeing Platform and Data’s Technical Program Management (TPM) 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. 

In this role, you will engage cross-functionally with a variety of leaders (Directors, Program Managers, Business Analysts, FinOps Leads, Engineers) to ensure that technology initiatives align with business objectives, are completed within scope, on time, and within budget, while also optimizing resources and mitigating risks.  

The Director of Technical Program Management will lead and manage the team responsible for delivery of complex, cross-functional technical projects and workstreams within the organization. As part of the Program Management Office (PMO), this senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring that technical projects and initiatives are executed efficiently, on-time, and within scope, while meeting business and technical requirements. The role involves working closely with senior leadership, engineering, product, and other cross-functional teams to drive alignment and delivery of high-impact programs. 

The Director will also mentor and grow a team of program managers and work on optimizing processes to improve the overall program management practices within the organization. This is a high-visibility, strategic leadership role where you will directly influence the success of key technology initiatives, shape the technical roadmap, and contribute to the long-term vision of the organization. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Portfolio Management: 

• Oversee and manage a diverse portfolio of technology projects, ensuring alignment with business strategy and objectives. 

• Prioritize projects based on business value, risk, and resource availability. 

• Monitor project progress and performance, providing regular updates to senior management and stakeholders. 

• Ensure all projects in the portfolio are delivering the intended outcomes and benefits. 

• Resource Allocation and Budgeting: 

• Coordinate with project managers and department heads to allocate resources effectively across projects. 

• Manage the portfolio budget, ensuring that projects stay within financial constraints and deliver value. 

• Identify resource gaps and recommend strategies for addressing them. 

• Stakeholder Management: 

• Engage with key stakeholders (business leaders, IT teams, vendors) to understand their needs and ensure the technology portfolio supports those needs. 

• Communicate portfolio status, risks, and issues to executive leadership and stakeholders. 

• Provide regular reports and presentations to inform decision-making. 

• Risk Management: 

• Identify and assess risks across the portfolio and implement mitigation strategies. 

• Track and manage interdependencies between projects to avoid delays or conflicts. 

• Strategic Alignment: 

• Ensure that all technology projects align with the organization’s strategic objectives and digital transformation initiatives. 

• Regularly evaluate the portfolio to ensure that projects remain relevant and aligned with evolving business goals. 

• Process Improvement: 

• Continuously assess and improve portfolio management processes and practices. 

• Implement best practices in project management, governance, and reporting. 

• Team Leadership: 

• Lead and mentor portfolio management staff and project managers. 

• Foster collaboration and communication among cross-functional teams. 

Qualifications: 

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

• Extensive experience in portfolio or project management, particularly in a technology or IT context. 

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Lean). 

• Proven track record of successfully managing technology portfolios and large-scale projects. 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. 

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), or similar certifications preferred. 

Skills: 

• Portfolio management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, ServiceNow, Monday.com). 

• Financial management and budgeting skills. 

• Risk management techniques. 

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities. 

• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures

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