Crate & Barrel

Responsibilities

We inspire purpose-filled living that brings joy to the modern home. With a team of more than 8,000 associates spanning 130 store and distribution locations across the U.S. and Canada, we achieve together, drive results and innovate to inspire. Drawn together by a shared passion for our customers and a spirit of fun, we deliver high-quality home furnishings that are expertly designed, responsibly sourced and bring beauty and function to people’s homes. From the day we opened our first store in Chicago in 1962 to the digital innovations that engage millions of customers today, our iconic brand is over 60 years in the making—and our story is still unfolding.

We’re here for it. We think you should be too. We’re looking for a driven professional with an inclusive mindset to join our team as a Senior Director, Program Management Practice.

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the successful execution of top strategic initiatives, establishing best-in-class agile program management methodologies and practices, leading a team of highly skilled program managers and scrum masters, and establishing a change management capability. Your expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving the successful executive of our ambitious digital transformation portfolio in a modern, agile way with a high degree of visibility.

This is a remote position based in the US.

A day in the life as a Senior Director, Program Management Practice…

• Overall Program Leadership:
• Provide leadership and oversight for the execution of highly complex, cross-functional programs and initiatives
• Ensure alignment with business objectives and facilitate cross-functional collaboration to deliver program outcomes
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement within the program management practice
• Quarterly Planning:
• Oversee teams through a successful quarterly planning event, including pre- and post-planning activities
• Establish a program board to visualize committed features and track cross-functional dependencies
• Ensure the successful execution of the quarterly plans by monitoring progress and addressing any deviations
• Program Governance:
• Establish program governance structures, processes, and reporting mechanisms to provide visibility into program progress, risks, and issues
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, standards, and regulations throughout the program lifecycle
• Provide regular updates to senior management and executive teams on program status, milestones, and risks
• Tooling:
• Define and rollout a standard taxonomy within Jira and Confluence to promote consistent and effective work definition and decomposition
• Enable flow and collaboration across the organization by implementing efficient program management tools and processes
• Measurement:
• Define and track key program management metrics to help leaders understand the health of programs and teams
• Establish a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
• Stakeholder Management:
• Oversee stakeholder engagement and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Establish communication channels, facilitate stakeholder meetings, and address stakeholder concerns to ensure program success and alignment with stakeholder expectations
• Act as a liaison between program teams and stakeholders to foster effective collaboration and communication
• Resource Management:
• Responsible for resource allocation, including personnel, budget, and tools, to support program delivery
• Ensure that resources are appropriately allocated to meet program objectives and make adjustments as needed to address changing priorities
• Identify resource gaps and work with stakeholders to address them effectively
• Risk Management:
• Identify repeatable and scalable ways to manage and mitigate program risks and issues
• Develop and communicate risk management strategies and contingency plans
• Monitor risk mitigation activities and escalate critical issues to senior management as necessary
• Team Leadership:
• Lead and mentor a team of program managers and scrum masters, providing guidance, coaching, and support to ensure their professional growth and development
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages open communication, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning
• Set clear expectations and goals for the team, aligning them with the organization's vision and strategic objectives
• Delegate responsibilities effectively, leveraging the strengths and expertise of team members to maximize productivity and efficiency

What you’ll bring to the table… 

• Extensive experience in using and rolling out Agile methodologies, such as Scrum, Kanban, or Lean, within complex program environments
• Familiarity with Scaled Agile Frameworks (SAFe), such as SAFe for Lean Enterprises or Nexus, and experience adapting them to fit organizational needs
• Strong understanding of Agile principles and values, and the ability to guide teams in their application to deliver value incrementally and iteratively
• Proficiency in Agile project management tools and software to support program planning, execution, and tracking
• Ability to navigate and resolve challenges associated with Agile transformations, including cultural change, resistance, and organizational readiness
• Knowledge of Agile metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess program performance and drive continuous improvement
• Agile certifications, such as Certified Scrum Professional (CSP), SAFe Agilist (SA), or Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), are strongly preferred
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable program strategies
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a strong focus on achieving results
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and concise manner

We’d love to hear from you if you have… 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years in Program Management, with a focus on leading complex initiatives and managing cross-functional teams
• Proven track record of successfully implementing and scaling Agile practices across multiple programs or departments
• Experience coaching and mentoring teams in Agile practices, facilitating Agile ceremonies, and driving continuous improvement
• Demonstrated experience in resource allocation, budget management, and risk mitigation
• In-depth knowledge of program management methodologies, tools, and best practices

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