Program Manager - PMO

The Program Manager plays a pivotal role in driving the successful execution of multiple concurrent programs aligned with Starkey's short-term product roadmap. This high-visibility position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams-including engineering, research, IT, product management, operations, and marketing-as well as regular interaction with executive leadership. The Program Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining detailed program schedules within a Microsoft EPM/SharePoint environment, ensuring that each initiative stays on track in terms of scope, budget, and timeline. While not serving as a technical lead or mentor to project managers, this role demands strategic thinking, proactive risk management, and strong communication skills to ensure program alignment, transparency, and delivery excellence across the organization.

Starkey is a world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of advanced hearing technologies. We are in the business of connecting people and changing lives. Our teams come to work each day focused on ensuring people everywhere have the products and services they need to hear better and live better.

Founded in 1967 by Bill Austin, Starkey is known for our cutting-edge hearing health innovations, industry-leading research and development, and not being afraid to push the edge of what's possible.

We are headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, have over 5,000 employees in 29 facilities across the globe, and do business in more than 100 markets worldwide.

Watch this video to see more of what sets Starkey apart: https://youtu.be/9cUYwTlCepg?si=wkovx8_R_iINfrc6

JOB SUMMARY DESCRIPTION / PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

The Program Manager is responsible for managing multiple programs (portfolio) that are defined per short-term product roadmap. Work closely with program sponsors, project managers and program teams composed of cross-functional membership from Firmware Engineering, Hardware Development, Product Management, Research, IT, Software Engineering, Operations, Sales and Marketing and other departments to deliver the target functionality on time and on budget. Create, manage, and execute detailed program schedules in a Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM)/SharePoint environment. This is a high visibility role with regular executive management interaction. Possess and demonstrate strategic thinking for reducing program risks and maximizing program benefits. This position interacts with project managers on daily basis, but coaching and mentoring project managers are not part of the responsibility of this position. This position works closely with cross functional groups but is not required to serve as a technical lead.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/RESULTS

Create, maintain, and execute detailed program plans, schedules and timelines using established best practices

• Work effectively with the cross functional team and Project Managers to develop product development program plans, schedules and timelines including tasks, dates, deliverables, and resource commitments using MS Project and MS Visio.
• Employ established best practices in schedule, plans and timeline creation and follow the formal Product Development Process (PDP) and established processes.
• Work with project managers, program teams and department leaders to quickly resolve schedule and resource conflicts
• Ensure program schedule and portfolio (group of programs) is properly maintained consistent with established best practices, accurate, and kept up to date on a weekly basis

Work with project managers to meet or exceed scope, date, and cost commitments for programs.

• Facilitate weekly program meeting using best practices to review programs progress and coordinate required activities
• Call special team meetings as needed to brainstorm, problem solve, or conduct other activities needed to ensure program success
• Document meeting minutes, identify assumptions, risks, issues, and assign action items
• Proactively track, manage, and drive resolution of program risks, issues, and action items on a timely basis

Anticipate and proactively manage program risks.

• Proactively assess, identify, and manage program risk and assumptions and establish mitigation and contingency plans
• Institutionalize risk mitigation and prevention by capturing lessons learned in the formal Product Development Process (PDP)

Communicate effectively within the program team, project teams (through project managers), contributing departments, and upward to R&D leadership

• Communicate quickly, accurately, and completely to the program team (& project teams through respective project managers) ensuring that all team members are properly informed, and activities are properly coordinated across departments
• Communicate outward and upward beyond the program team to stakeholders and leadership in a concise, accurate, complete, and objective way with an emphasis on data and facts.
• Work closely with Program sponsor to facilitate decisions necessary for successful program delivery.

Support deployment of new project management tools and practices.

• Master and promote use of existing project management tools and actively employ new project management tools and policies as they are developed and rolled out

Identify opportunities for process improvements within R&D PMO.

• Proactively identify opportunities to improve our project management capability that can result in reduction in product development risk and cycle time

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• 4-year degree in Engineering, Project Management, or other relevant focus

Experience

• 5 years of project management experience (managing complex projects) in an engineering and new product development environment

Knowledge / Technical Requirements

• Fundamental understanding of basic electronics and software/firmware programming
• Proficient with MS Project and MS Office applications

Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Detail, data, and process driven
• Ability to anticipate roadblocks, diagnose problems, and generate effective solutions
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills
• Experience in development of technology hardware products, software, and systems
• PMI certification - desirable
• Experience with hearing aids - desirable
• Experience with MS Project Server and MS SharePoint - desirable
• office equipment, etc.)
• Standard office equipment

Salary and Other Compensation:

The target pay rate for this position is between $113,960 - $155,400 annually. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include: geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is eligible for a bonus based upon performance results. There is no guarantee of payout.

Benefits: The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401 (k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid time off, 8 days/hours of paid sick and safe time, and 6 paid holidays annually.