Program Associate Jobs in Oakton, VA (NOW HIRING)

Playing an essential role in the U.S. economy, Fannie Mae is foundational to housing finance. Here, your expertise can help fuel purpose-driven innovation that expands access to homeownership and affordable rental housing across the country. Join Fannie Mae to grow your career and help people find a place to call home.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly analytical and business-oriented Senior Associate, Strategic Program Management. As a valued colleague on our team, you will support the planning, execution, and delivery of enterprise strategic initiatives. This role partners closely with leaders across Finance, Marketing, Product, Operations, and other business functions to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, monitor program performance, and provide data-driven insights that enable informed decision-making.

The ideal candidate combines structured problem-solving, strong analytical skills, and program management capabilities with the ability to influence cross-functional teams. They are comfortable navigating ambiguity, synthesizing complex information, and developing executive-ready recommendations that advance strategic business objectives.

THE IMPACT YOU WILL MAKE

The Senior Associate, Strategic Program Management role will offer you the flexibility to make each day your own, while working alongside people who care so that you can deliver on the following responsibilities:

• Support the planning, execution, and coordination of cross-functional strategic initiatives aligned with enterprise priorities.

• Partner with business leaders to translate strategic objectives into actionable program plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes.

• Coordinate activities across multiple workstreams, proactively managing dependencies, timelines, risks, and competing priorities.

• Monitor program progress, identify risks and issues, and recommend mitigation strategies to maintain successful delivery.

• Prepare executive-ready status updates, presentations, decision materials, and communications for program leadership and governance forums.

• Support program governance by maintaining action logs, decision trackers, and performance reporting.

Strategic Planning & Business Analysis

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses to support strategic initiatives, business priorities, and organizational transformation efforts.

• Develop business cases, scenario analyses, and strategic recommendations using financial, operational, customer, and market insights.

• Evaluate program performance and business outcomes, identifying trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

• Perform ad hoc analyses that inform executive decision-making and long-term strategic planning.

• Synthesize complex information into concise, actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

Performance Monitoring

• Develop and maintain reporting that tracks strategic initiatives, program milestones, key performance indicators, and business outcomes.

• Monitor progress against strategic objectives and provide insights into performance drivers, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities.

• Support leadership with recurring reporting and executive dashboards that communicate program health and organizational progress.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Finance, Marketing, Product, Technology, Operations, Risk, Legal, Compliance, and other stakeholders to drive alignment and execution.

• Facilitate collaboration across teams to resolve dependencies, remove obstacles, and maintain momentum on strategic initiatives.

• Build trusted relationships across the organization while influencing outcomes without direct authority.

• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, tailoring messages to stakeholder needs.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to strengthen program governance, planning processes, and execution methodologies.

• Recommend improvements to performance measurement, reporting, and strategic planning processes.

• Contribute to the evolution of strategic program management best practices across the organization.

THE EXPERIENCE YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

Required Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Management, Engineering, or a related field.

• At least 2 years of experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, strategic program management, business transformation, or business operations.

• Experience supporting cross-functional strategic initiatives from planning through implementation.

• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex information into actionable business recommendations.

• Experience preparing executive presentations, status updates, and strategic communications.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.

Desired Experiences:

• Experience in financial services, mortgage lending, banking, or fintech.

• Experience supporting enterprise transformation or strategic initiatives.

• Familiarity with Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid project delivery methodologies.

• Experience developing executive business cases, strategic recommendations, and governance materials.

• Exposure to program management tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project.

We're looking for someone who:

• Thinks strategically while maintaining strong execution discipline.

• Breaks down complex business challenges into structured, actionable solutions.

• Uses data and analysis to support sound business decisions.

• Builds trusted relationships across functions and influences without direct authority.

• Communicates clearly and confidently with leaders at all levels.

• Demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and a continuous improvement mindset.

• Balances strategic thinking with attention to detail and operational execution.

• Thrives in an environment where priorities evolve and collaboration is essential.

• Takes ownership and consistently delivers high-quality work.

• Strategic Planning

• Strategic Program Management

• Business Analysis

• Executive Communication

• Stakeholder Management

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Structured Problem Solving

• Program Governance

• Risk & Issue Management

• Business Case Development

• Change Management

• Organizational Agility

#LI-Hybrid

Qualifications

Education:

The future is what you make it to be. Discover compelling opportunities at Fanniemae.com/careers.

For most roles, employees are expected to work onsite on a regular basis at their designated office location. In-office work cadence is determined by your manager. Proximity within a reasonable commute to your designated office location is preferred unless the job is noted as open to remote.

Fannie Mae is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, marital or parental status, or any other protected factor. Fannie Mae is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment, unless to do so would cause undue hardship to the company. If you need assistance using our online system and/or you need a reasonable accommodation related to the hiring/application process, please complete this form.

The hiring range for this role is set forth below. Final salaries will generally vary within that range based on factors that include but are not limited to, skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and other relevant qualifications. This position is eligible to participate in a Fannie Mae incentive program (subject to the terms of the program). As part of our comprehensive benefits package, Fannie Mae offers a broad range of Health, Life, Voluntary Lifestyle, and other benefits and perks that enhance an employee's physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being. See more here.

Requisition compensation:

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