Manager, Strategic Operations

The Strategic Operations Manager reports directly to the Senior Director of Strategic Operations. The Strategic Operations Manager plays an advisory role as a servant leader for cross-functional teams of strategic and corporate initiatives fostering environment of collaboration, engagement, and innovation.

This position routinely communicates with executive sponsors, vendors, and key stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment, efficient project management of approved initiatives and delivery of business value.

Additional responsibilities include developing, coordinating, and overseeing governance processes, vendor management, project financial management, project management and reporting, and participating in the planning and facilitation of employee quarterly value forums.

The Strategic Operations Manager is expected to demonstrate strong project management skills (including agile project management skills), strategic operations, critical thinking, and cross-functional leadership. Additionally, the Strategic Operations Senior Manager is expected to demonstrate Somos cultural attributes and behaviors in all interactions.

Core Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Functional / Technical Responsibilities

• Active participation in the development and ongoing support of the Strategic Action Plan in conjunction with Somos Strategic Roadmap and Budget. Ensure interdepartmental alignment and prioritization in conjunction with leadership’s strategic direction.

• Employ agile principles, and project management skills to further program/project management of strategic initiatives.

• Leverage key stakeholders including Finance, Product Management, Engineering, Legal and HR to inform discussion of prioritization and program/project health.

• Demonstrate strong collaborative leadership, critical thinking, communication, accountability, analytical and teamwork skills.

• Demonstrate excellent organization skills and experience with program/project managing the execution of complex, large scale, multi-system strategic initiatives.

• Focus on continuous improvement, strategic alignment, and project execution to drive sustainable value outcomes for the business.

• Oversee governance process, policies, standards, and procedures to drive effective program/ project management, deliver quality services and improve project execution effectiveness.

• Manage multiple strategic and/or corporate projects initiatives and project teams.

• Lead cross-functional initiative teams to define program/project scope and develop project plans and deliverables, detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans and status reports, as needed.

• Direct, coordinate and monitor activities of a program/project to ensure the initiative progresses towards delivering desired outcomes with clarity and transparent communications across all Stakeholders.

• Empower project teams to identify the need to pivot &/or stop work when appropriate, or when it is determined that projected value will not be obtained.

• Maintain knowledge of internal Somos business operations and strategy.

• Execute project management governance processes as defined via the Portfolio and Project Management Governance standards.

• Monitor and coordinate risks and dependencies across the projects and resolve conflicts.

Relationship Management

• Work in partnership with Somos senior leadership, including the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on strategic initiatives including anticipating issues, providing advice, and sharing knowledge and best practices.

• Develop strategic relationships and communicate regularly with stakeholders, functional teams, vendors, and leaders to ensure project alignment and support.

• Proactively assess and adapt initiatives throughout project duration and pivot as needed

• Coordinate and support Finance with project budget management.

• Lead large teams composed of internal and vendor resources in the execution of multiple, complex projects.

• In partnership with the ELT and Strategic Operations teammates, create a relevant strategic action plan, ensuring clear content, structure, and communication.

• Work as a servant leader on initiatives and projects to facilitate strategic alignment across the organization

• Foster an environment of collaboration and innovation to empower cross-functional teams to navigate as appropriate so they can thrive and achieve value-based outcomes.
• Perform risk assessment and recommend mitigation plans to project/program leads.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Information Technology, Program Management, Strategic Planning, or related field
• 5 years related experience
• Experience managing diverse project teams including technical staff, vendors relationships, and internal stakeholders
• Experience with agile methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience in leading virtual teams and cross-functional teams
• Strong understanding of Project Life Cycle methodologies, System Development Life Cycles, and agile methodologies.
• Strong understanding of architecture, design & implementation of technical solutions
• Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills with internal/external customers and various audiences
• Ability to clearly present complex information to individuals and small groups
• Exceptional organizational, conceptual, and analytical skills
• PMI PMP certification or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Technical experience (e.g., applications development, networking, computer systems operations, or engineering disciplines).
• Scrum Master certification
• Agile Project Management certification
• ITIL certification
• Strong understanding of architecture, design & implementation of technical solutions
• Experience working with any of the following software applications: Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, & Salesforce

Somos is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of this position. Aspects of this job description may change at any time, with or without notice.

This job description is not intended as and does not create an employment contract. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Education

• Bachelors or better in Information Technology or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)