Senior Program Manager

IA Collaborative is actively seeking a Senior Program Manager who will be accountable for successfully supporting complex, multi-work stream digital projects across a client’s portfolio of work. They partner with project leads to maintain strategic direction, manage and mitigate risk, lead client communications that result in flawless project delivery, and support business development initiatives. This role reports to the Program Management Director.

How we work:

We serve as our clients’ design partner and guide by becoming knowledgeable and passionate about our clients’ creative goals and business through immersion in their business. Combining human-centered design and strategic business consulting, we help multinational organizations and emerging leaders set visions, create strategies, design compelling experiences and empower their own cultures of innovation. We reframe problems, uncover opportunities and set strategic vision. We take Insight to Action, to define business models — profit, process, channel, brand and partnership strategies — and create new physical and digital products, brands, services and environments.

You will share in our drive and aspiration to make an impact in the world through design while working collaboratively with designers, researchers, strategists, engineers, developers, and architects.

As a Senior Program Manager, you will work closely with clients, project teams, and business operations to execute the following core responsibilities:

• Project Lifecycle Management: Strategize, implement, and maintain program initiatives that adhere to organizational objectives and support business growth.

• Project Planning and Tracking: Work closely with Project Lead (typically an IA Collaborative Associate Director, Director, or Group Director) and IA Collaborative discipline teams to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for new initiatives.

• Fiscal Responsibility and Management: Develop and manage the budget for projects in alignment with established business goals/objectives and other client initiatives.

• Project Team Formation: Identify project team make-up and external vendors required for project staffing to deliver against project-specific; work with the project lead to identify risks and opportunities across the project lifecycle.

• Project Health and Reporting: Analyze, evaluate, and overcome program risks, and produce program reports for IA Collaborative Project Leads, Client Growth Leads, and Partners.

• Continuous Operational Improvement: Develop program assessment protocols for evaluation and improvement and maintain organizational standards of quality and performance.

Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer, or information sciences.

• Minimum of six years’ experience in a project management or other relevant role at a digital design agency or a technology organization where you managed multiple, concurrent projects.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and senior executives.

• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and a desire to take charge and innovate.

• In-depth knowledge of product development, new product introduction, and product deployment process.

IA Collaborative Work Model:

IA Collaborative leverages a hybrid work model with Chicagoland-area team members working from our downtown headquarters three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) with additional, occasional required on-site days as needed. 

Occasional onsite and in-field work is required for all team members. We are typically in the field once or twice a month, for two to three consecutive days, conducting research or meeting with clients.

Why IA Collaborative:

At IA, you’ll practice your craft in a whole new context. You’ll be a part of designing the future of human experience as you transform your client’s business, empower communities and create a positive and lasting impact on the world.

Our internationally recognized workspace provides the inspiration and flexibility to collaborate with teams or to focus as an individual. IA’s comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision; Retirement Savings Benefits; scholarship funds to promote individual learning, growth and inspiration; discretionary bonus and profit-sharing programs; a suite of family benefits including paid time off for the birth of a child, caregiver leave, wellness check-in days, flexible spending accounts for dependent care, health expenses and childcare, and 529 college savings planning and contributions; and employer-paid life insurance and disability.

About IA Collaborative:

IA Collaborative is a global design and innovation consultancy. At the forefront of user-centered design that creates business value, we live and work at the intersection of design and business, of creativity and strategy.

Combining human-centered design and strategic business consulting, we help multinational organizations and emerging leaders set visions, create strategies, design compelling experiences and empower their own cultures of innovation. We reframe problems, uncover opportunities and set a strategic vision. From Insight to Action, we define business models — profit, process, channel, brand and partnership strategies — and create new physical and digital products, brands, services and environments. IA is on the national and global stage speaking about the business value of design. Featured by Fast Company as one of the speaking about the business value of design. Featured by Fast Company as one of the country’s preeminent design thinkers, IA has been profiled by prominent business publications and has received multiple design accolades including the IDSA International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), the GOOD DESIGN™ Awards, the iF World Design Awards and the Red Dot International and SXSW Business Design awards. IA works with some of the world’s most successful brands, including FedEx, GE, Hyatt, Johnson & Johnson and Nike.

At IA Collaborative, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We believe that welcoming a diverse variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to our organization contributes to a thriving culture, a vibrant community, and breakthrough work. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law.

For more information about IA Collaborative, visit iacollaborative.com, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Glassdoor.

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