Senior Program Manager

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The Opportunity:

It’s an exciting time for the PMO at Rakuten Kobo Inc. as we continue to evolve our Program Management practice and power up our delivery approach in preparation for what is about to be another busy and exciting year for us! We’re looking to grow our team with someone who has both deep experience and fresh ideas when it comes to leading digital delivery, someone with the passion, dedication and creativity that would be an asset to any team.

The Role:

The Project Management Office (PMO) is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Program Manager to strengthen our growing team. In this role, you will lead multiple high-impact cross-functional projects concurrently: defining and leading the team on best path for effective delivery, proactively and diligently mitigating risks, and ensuring alignment between program outcomes and business objectives. You will bring a proven track record of successfully managing large-scale, complex programs across diverse industries, project types, and technology solutions.

This is a hybrid role for a Toronto area candidate, working from the office minimum 3 days a week.

Responsibilities:

• Provide PM leadership and take on accountability for end-to-end delivery of key strategic programs, guiding teams, partners, and stakeholders through all stages of the program lifecycle with clarity and confidence.
• Develop and execute on comprehensive program models, ensuring robust organization, stakeholder alignment, and effective day-to-day management to drive program success.
• Pre-empt, assess, and manage dependencies and risks, identifying and driving response strategies to ensure timely mitigation.
• Create and deliver clear, actionable, and audience-appropriate communication on program status, challenges, and achievements to a wide range of audiences, including executive leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the PMO, contributing thought leadership, mentoring peers, and contributing to the cohesion and development of the team and practice

Skills & Experience:

• 8+ years of hands-on experience leading large-scale, complex digital programs in dynamic, multi-functional delivery environments, having applied both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, and with proficiency in industry-standard PM tools.
• A “hands on” PM with proven ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, take the lead on identifying potential problems and then providing thoughtful recommendations to solve them
• Proactive, self-motivated leader with a strong sense of personal accountability and a commitment to driving program success.
• Constantly curious and genuinely interested in PM as a Craft, enthusiastic about growing the PMO’s shared knowledge base and community engagement, and thrives in an environment of shared learning and continuous improvement.

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and hybrid remote working environment
• Subsidized in-office lunches
• Four extended long weekends in the summer
• Full benefits starting from your first day
• Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching
• Monthly commuting allowance for those who are hybrid
• Lifestyle spending account
• Talent and development training budget
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
• Maternity/paternity leave top up
• Dog friendly office