Lead, IT Program Manager - Finance Systems

The Lead IT Program Manager will serve as lead program manager for enterprise-wide IT initiatives, driving critical programs that turn strategic goals into reality. This role owns the connection between IT delivery, business objectives, and the customer journey, requiring cross-functional coordination across departments and teams including Supply Chain, HR, Finance, B2B, and Omnichannel/Direct. The incumbent must be able to identify priorities, resolve blockers, and move programs forward on their own initiative without needing regular direction. Strong leadership, proven program management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization are required.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Program Management:
  • Drive medium to large IT programs, developing and maintaining project schedules, timelines, documentation, RAID tracking, and communication.
  • Establish an effective program structure and cadence that fosters collaboration, communication, and simplified reporting across multiple IT workstreams.
  • Communicate program goals, objectives, timelines, benefits, and scope clearly across all levels of the organization, including senior leadership.
• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  • Partner cross-functionally with product managers, IT teams, and business stakeholders across departments — including Supply Chain, HR, Finance, B2B, and Omnichannel — on requirements, interdependencies, program views, and risk assessments.
  • Facilitate collaboration between Directors/Product Managers, IT teams, and the business, serving as the connective point across departments and functions.
  • Track intra/inter-program dependencies, working with all teams to mitigate risks and issues.
• Program Leadership:
  • Operate independently with a solution-oriented approach — independently identifying blockers, driving resolution, and moving programs forward without needing regular direction.
  • Partner with PMO and business leadership to identify opportunities, prioritize work, and build and refine frameworks for program delivery.
• Agile Delivery:
  • Operate within an agile application development environment to ensure the work gets done on-schedule and within-budget.
  • Evaluate complex situations accurately, gather relevant data, and identify viable solutions that drive successful program outcomes.
• Program Governance & Stakeholder Management:
  • Builds strong working relationships across the organization; relates well to people at all levels.
  • Coordinates tasks across multiple projects and business teams in various locations and time zones.
  • Strong understanding of global cultures and ability to adapt communication style accordingly.
  • Ability to understand interdependencies across enterprise IT programs and how one initiative impacts another.

Education and Experience:

• Level of Formal Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Area of Study: Project Management; Business Management; IT; or a related field
• Minimum Years of Experience: 6
• Type of Experience:       
  • 6 years of program/project management experience, with at least 3 years of experience managing medium to large IT application development or infrastructure programs, preferably for a major corporation or large enterprise.
  • Experience applying standard program/project management disciplines, including scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, stakeholder, communications, and vendor management/procurement.
  • Experience leading IT initiatives using Agile, waterfall, and hybrid methodologies.
  • Proven experience partnering cross-functionally with product managers, IT teams, and business stakeholders across multiple departments and time zones.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate proactively and independently — identifying priorities and driving programs forward with minimal oversight.
  • Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and issue-resolution skills.
  • People management skills, with the ability to motivate teams and drive delivery against deadlines.
• Special Certifications:  PMP (Project Management Professional) or an equivalent program/project management certification (e.g., PgMP, PRINCE2) required. CSM a plus.
• Technical Competencies & Information Systems:             
  • Proficient in the Microsoft O365 suite of tools
  • Smartsheet Project Management Software
  • SharePoint
  • Jira, Confluence, and Power BI
  • Experience with software applications and tools related to project management, process automation, and system integrations.
• Skills & Abilities:             
  • Team-oriented mindset focused on delivering an exceptional customer experience.
  • Excellent communication and presentation abilities across all leadership levels, including executive audiences.
  • Builds strong working relationships across the organization; relates well to people at all levels.
  • Proactive, go-getter mindset with the ability to identify priorities, resolve blockers, and move initiatives forward independently, without needing regular direction.
  • Strong cross-functional coordination skills, working effectively across departments, teams, and time zones.
  • Organized, process-oriented, and effective problem solver with a holistic mindset.
  • Strong understanding of global cultures and ability to adapt communication style accordingly.
• Additional Language Skills: Excellent English written and verbal communication skills
• Personal Attributes & Other/Preferred:
  • Self-starter and go-getter with strong decision-making skills and efficient, independent execution.
  • Comfortable operating with ambiguity and minimal direction, taking ownership of outcomes across departments.
  • Personable and presentable; able to represent the organization as a subject matter expert with strategic partners.
  • Flexible and willing to support change initiatives and shifting team needs across the enterprise.
  • Creative, resourceful thinker who finds practical paths forward when priorities or requirements shift.

About The ODP Group: The ODP Group, through its business entities ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot, is a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores.

Commitment to Safety: We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment for our Coworkers and our customers. All Coworkers are expected to support our operational safety culture by working safely and addressing potential hazards or concerns.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by Coworkers assigned to this classification and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of Coworkers so classified. Other duties may be assigned.  

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: The company offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a 401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunities to move and grow within our organization! You may be eligible to participate in an incentive program, paid in accordance with the Incentive Plan terms and conditions.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to the City & County of San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.   

Application Deadline: The job posting will remain open for a minimum of 3 days and will expire once the position has been filled. 

How to Apply: Click the “Apply Now” button and follow the instructions on each page. When you have completed the application, click the “Submit” button.