Program Manager Contract Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager Location: Columbia, SC Hybrid (2-3 days in office per week or at the manager's discretion) Interview Process: 1 round, Virtual/Online Duration: 12 Months Employment Type: Contract Experience Required: 10+ Years Candidate Location: Candidate MUST be a SC resident. No relocation allowed. Project Scope: The Program Manager will support enterprise-wide initiatives by leading and coordinating complex projects across multiple business units, internal divisions, and external agency stakeholders.

This role is responsible for managing large-scale, cross-functional programs that align with organizational strategic goals while ensuring successful delivery, stakeholder engagement, and measurable business value. The position will play a key role in establishing project governance, improving program management processes, and ensuring consistent execution across a diverse portfolio of enterprise initiatives. Key Responsibilities: Program & Project Leadership Lead and manage enterprise-level programs and projects from initiation through completion Develop comprehensive project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource allocations Oversee multiple concurrent projects and ensure alignment with strategic business objectives Monitor project progress, deliverables, dependencies, and overall program health Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards Project Planning & Execution Create and maintain detailed project plans for complex enterprise initiatives Define project scope, objectives, timelines, and success criteria Assign tasks, manage work efforts, and track project deliverables Adjust project plans, schedules, and resources as necessary to meet changing business needs Ensure adherence to project management methodologies and best practices Stakeholder Management & Communication Serve as the primary liaison between business units, technical teams, and executive leadership Coordinate communication across all impacted departments and external stakeholders Provide regular project status updates, executive summaries, and risk assessments Present program updates, recommendations, and strategic insights to senior leadership Foster strong collaboration across internal teams and partner organizations Portfolio & Governance Management Maintain accurate project information within enterprise portfolio management tools, including SharePoint Ensure timely updates on project status, milestones, risks, and issues Support portfolio governance, reporting, and decision-making processes Track and report on project performance, outcomes, and business value realization Risk, Change & Resource Management Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues Apply formal change management processes to support successful implementation Manage resource planning, allocation, and utilization across multiple initiatives Escalate risks, resource constraints, and timeline issues as appropriate Ensure effective issue resolution and decision-making Process Improvement & Strategic Support Establish repeatable, scalable, and adaptable project management processes Drive continuous improvement initiatives within program and project management practices Identify opportunities to improve workflows, governance, and operational efficiency Support business process analysis, mapping, and re-engineering efforts Ensure alignment with organizational strategy and customer-focused outcomes Cross-Functional Coordination Coordinate activities across multiple projects, teams, and agencies Manage interdependencies between projects and business initiatives Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize initiatives and allocate resources effectively Support enterprise-wide regulatory and compliance-related projects Documentation & Reporting Document meetings, decisions, action items, directives, and significant communications Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, schedules, and status reports Develop professional reports, dashboards, and presentations for stakeholders Ensure transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle Required Skills & Experience: Minimum 8 years of experience managing large, complex enterprise projects or programs 10+ years of overall experience in project and program management Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional, multi-stakeholder initiatives Experience managing project budgets, schedules, resources, and risks Strong knowledge of project governance, performance measurement, and change management Preferred Skills: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification Advanced degree in Business, Information Technology, or related field Experience in public sector or large enterprise environments Experience managing regulatory or compliance-driven initiatives Education: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field Preferred Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) Program Management Professional (PgMP) - preferred but not required.