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Programs Manager Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Danaher

Health & Safety Program Manager

Madison, WI · On-site

$91K - $100K/yr

The Health & Safety Program Manager is responsible for managing system safety programs and chemical ... Drives critical occupational health & safety programs such as Injury/Illness Reporting ...

Medica

Healthy Communities Program Manager III

Madison, WI

$114.10K/yr

The Healthy Communities Program Manager III is responsible for leading and operationalizing Medica ... programs. * Establish governance structures, milestones, success measures, and reporting cadences ...

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Programs Manager information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Programs Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Programs Manager, you need strong project management skills, strategic planning abilities, and often a bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools like Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project, as well as certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2, is highly valuable. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills help Programs Managers motivate teams and coordinate across departments. These skills ensure effective execution of programs, alignment with organizational goals, and the successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.

How does a Programs Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success?

Programs Managers frequently serve as the main point of coordination between various departments such as product development, marketing, finance, and operations. They facilitate regular meetings, set clear milestones, and ensure alignment on project goals and timelines. Effective Programs Managers are proactive in identifying potential bottlenecks and work closely with stakeholders to resolve issues quickly. This collaborative approach not only helps in delivering successful outcomes but also fosters a culture of open communication and teamwork across the organization.

What does a Programs Manager do?

A Programs Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating multiple projects or initiatives within an organization. They ensure that these programs align with the company’s strategic goals, manage resources, set timelines, and track progress. Programs Managers work closely with project managers and team members, addressing any issues that arise and ensuring that deliverables are met on time and within budget. Their role often involves communicating with stakeholders, developing program strategies, and measuring the overall success of the programs.

What is the difference between Programs Manager vs Project Coordinator?

AspectPrograms ManagerProject Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often PMP or related certificationsBachelor's degree; certifications like CAPM are common
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects and teams, strategic focusSupports project teams, handles administrative tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in various industries including tech, healthcare, and non-profitsCommon in corporate, government, and non-profit sectors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, responsibilities, and career pathClarifying support functions and entry-level roles

The Programs Manager typically oversees multiple projects, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term goals, requiring advanced certifications and experience. In contrast, the Project Coordinator supports project teams with administrative tasks, often serving as an entry point into project management. Both roles are vital in organizations but differ in scope, responsibilities, and seniority.

What are the most commonly searched types of Programs jobs in Madison, WI? The most popular types of Programs jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Programs Manager jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Programs Manager job openings:
Programs Manager jobs near you
Project/Program Manager IT 4

Project/Program Manager IT 4

Co-Sourcing Partners

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Position: Project/Program Manager IT 4
Company: Confidential
Location: Madison, Wisconsin, 53713
Employment Type: Contract (6 months, 2/24/26 - 8/22/26)
Experience Level: 8-10 Years
Job ID: NUNYA
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced IT Project/Program Manager to lead enterprise-wide initiatives that drive strategic transformation and cross-functional alignment. This role will manage complex programs from concept to delivery, leveraging SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) to align Agile Release Trains and ensure integrated PI planning. The Program Manager will be responsible for establishing governance frameworks, ensuring schedule, scope, and budget adherence, and enabling clear, proactive communication to senior leadership. Success in this role depends on the ability to manage risk, resolve execution roadblocks, and maintain focus across dynamic stakeholder groups in a fast-paced environment.
Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
Purpose:
This role directly supports high-impact, strategic business initiatives that span multiple departments and technology domains. By integrating agile delivery principles with enterprise governance, you will ensure execution is aligned with organizational priorities, improving time-to-value and cross-team coordination.
Growth:
You will have the opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy and delivery, building executive-facing capabilities while enhancing your expertise in SAFe, portfolio-level governance, and multi-track Agile execution. This experience is a strong stepping stone to enterprise PMO leadership roles or transformation program oversight.
Motivators:
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in structured complexity and wants to lead meaningful programs that deliver measurable business value. If you enjoy bringing clarity to chaos, working across diverse teams, and influencing at all levels of an organization, this is a strong career-building opportunity.
Major Performance Objectives
1. Establish Portfolio Governance and Drive Strategic Alignment (First 60 Days)
Within the first two months, lead the development and implementation of a portfolio governance structure that enables consistent tracking, prioritization, and escalation across active initiatives. Align program workstreams to enterprise OKRs and strategy roadmaps, ensuring project charters and dashboards reflect business priorities.
2. Lead Execution of High-Visibility Programs to On-Time, On-Budget Delivery (Through Contract Term)
Oversee the day-to-day execution of multiple workstreams, ensuring delivery against defined scope, timeline, and budget parameters. Use structured status reviews, RAID logs, and metrics-based dashboards to track progress and proactively mitigate issues. By end of engagement, demonstrate delivery success with stakeholder satisfaction and measurable outcomes.
3. Coordinate Agile Release Trains and Facilitate Effective PI Planning (By Second PI Cycle)
Act as the release train engineer or program lead across Agile teams using SAFe. Ensure synchronized planning, dependency management, and alignment across teams through structured PI Planning events. By the second PI cycle, reduce coordination delays and improve team alignment metrics.
Critical Subtasks
1. Facilitate Executive Reviews and Enable Data-Driven Decision-Making
Prepare and lead bi-weekly/monthly executive steering committee meetings with clear visuals, KPIs, and decision logs. Ensure alignment and informed trade-offs by surfacing dependencies, conflicts, and funding scenarios.
2. Manage Cross-Functional Stakeholder Communication and Engagement
Establish a cadence for formal and informal updates to functional leads, business owners, and technical SMEs. Track stakeholder sentiment and maintain engagement through structured touchpoints and feedback loops.
3. Lead Financial Management and Resource Planning Activities
Ensure program budget tracking, forecast accuracy, and variance reporting within the first 60 days. Coordinate with resource managers to align staffing plans to delivery needs and resolve capacity issues proactively.
4. Identify, Track, and Mitigate Program Risks and Issues
Implement a formalized RAID log and ensure it is reviewed at least weekly. By Month 3, demonstrate a pattern of issue closure and risk mitigation, preventing escalation or project derailment.
5. Ensure Adherence to SAFe Governance and Agile Delivery Standards
Ensure that all Agile teams participating in the program follow SAFe best practices, with ART-level coordination across sprint cycles. Track ART velocity, dependency resolution, and inspect/adapt session outcomes.
6. Support Change Management and Communication Planning
Collaborate with change leads to prepare stakeholder impact assessments and targeted messaging for internal audiences. Support go-to-market or go-live readiness planning as required, ensuring user readiness and adoption.
7. Continuously Evaluate and Integrate AI to Improve Performance
Within the first 90-180 days, assess how AI-based tools can improve program forecasting, risk identification, stakeholder communication, or PI planning. Pilot one AI-enhanced dashboard or risk model that supports improved decision-making and delivery confidence.

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