Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer, is seeking a highly experienced Strategic Program Manager II to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives across multiple teams and business functions. The role requires strong executive communication and operational discipline, focusing on managing programs that drive alignment and achieve organizational goals.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex, cross-functional programs with high business impact
- Own planning, governance, risk management, stake-holder alignment, and execution tracking
- Partner with senior leaders to translate strategy into actionable programs
- Lead and manage program activities to ensure timely and successful completion, providing strategic direction and oversight. Establish operational objectives and work plans and delegate assignments as appropriate
- Develop and maintain comprehensive program plans, including scope, timelines, and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Implement strategic policies when selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
- Oversee the execution of multiple complex projects, ensuring they are aligned with program goals and objectives. Manage interdependencies and integration across projects, ensuring seamless coordination and delivery
- Create scalable mechanisms, templates, rhythms, and operating models for program execution
- Communicate clearly with executives, business owners, and technical teams
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators to measure program success. Use these metrics to drive performance improvements and ensure program objectives are met. Regularly review and adjust critical metrics to align with evolving program goals
- Implement quality assurance processes to ensure that project deliverables meet the required standards and specifications
- Capture and share lessons learned and best-practices across projects to promote continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the organization. Establish a knowledge repository for future reference
- Address and resolve conflicts that arise within the program, ensuring that issues are managed effectively and do not impact program success. Implement conflict resolution strategies to maintain a collaborative work environment
- Develop and deliver comprehensive program reports to senior management, providing insights into program performance, risks, and opportunities. Ensure transparency and accountability in program reporting
- Encourage innovation within the program, identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing new approaches to enhance program outcomes. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
- Provide training and development opportunities for project managers and coordinators, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Mentor and guide junior program managers to build a strong talent pipeline
- Serve as a thought-leader in program management, contributing to the development of best-practices and standards with the COE and portfolio management office
- As appropriate, manage relationships with external vendors and suppliers, ensuring that their contributions align with program goals and deliver value to the organization. Negotiate contracts and manage vendor performance
- Identify and manage program risks, interdependencies, and develop and implement mitigation strategies. Monitor the status of risks throughout the program and inform key audiences. Conduct regular risk assessments and update risk management plans
- Manage program budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with financial goals. Monitor financial performance and make necessary adjustments. Ensure adherence to budgets and financial targets
- Partners closely with our change management leaders/practitioners to align on change management deliverables needed to drive adoption and readiness
Skills
- 10+ years project management principles and methodologies obtained by assisting/coordinating mid-scale projects
- 10+ years Program/Project delivery experience
- Experience in personal lines insurance required, with specific exposure to auto and homeowners lines of business
- Bachelor's degree in related area or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- PMP/PMI certification or equivalent experience as a program manager for 5+years
- Experience leading large, ambiguous, cross-functional programs
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders
- Strong executive communication and decision-framing skills
- Experience improving program management practices or operating mechanisms
- Ability to mentor peers or lead through influence
- Strong judgment, ownership, and comfort operating independently
- Experience managing competing priorities across multiple teams or portfolios
- Advanced organizational and multitasking skills
- Advanced analytical and critical thinking abilities
- Ability to manage medium to large programs with moderate complexity
- Proficiency in stakeholder management and executive reporting
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with the ability to build, maintain, and analyze complex spreadsheets and reports
- Intermediate proficiency in Smartsheet, including sheet maintenance, task tracking, basic automation, and dashboard/report support
- Proficiency in managing cross-functional teams and resources
- Strong financial acumen and budget management skills
- Working to intermediate proficiency in Jira, including creating and updating issues, managing tickets, tracking project status, using boards, and generating basic reports
- Actively shapes our company culture (e.g., supporting employee resource groups, mentoring employees, volunteering, joining cross-functional projects)
- Champions our cultural norms (e.g., willing to have cameras when it matters: helping onboard new team members, building relationships, etc.)
- Demonstrates a company ownership mentality, thinking beyond boundaries of their own area
- Travels as needed for role, including divisional / team meetings and other in-person meetings
- Fulfills business needs, which may include investing extra time, helping other teams, etc
Benefits
- Annual bonus eligibility for most roles
- 401(k) with a company match
- Flexible Workplace
- Home-Flex roles, working primarily from home, often with the flexibility to work from various locations including CSAA offices
- Reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities or other limitations
- Company-wide annual discretionary bonus, through our Annual Incentive Plan (AIP), of up to 15% of eligible pay
Company Overview
CSAA Insurance Group offers automobile, home and other personal lines of insurance to AAA Members in 23 states and the District of Columbia. It was founded in 1914, and is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://csaa-insurance.aaa.com.