Strategic Program Manager

Strategic Program ManagerLocation: Vienna, VA (Hybrid)Clearance Requirements: NonePosition Status: ContractPay Rate: $60 - $65 per hourPosition Description: We are seeking an experienced Strategic Program Manager to lead complex, high-impact business programs and strategic initiatives across a dynamic, cross-functional environment. This role will partner closely with senior leadership and business stakeholders to translate organizational strategy into actionable roadmaps, coordinated workstreams, governance structures, and measurable business outcomes. The ideal candidate is a strategic and results-oriented program leader who can operate effectively in ambiguity, influence stakeholders without direct authority, manage competing priorities, and drive initiatives from initial concept and prioritization through execution, implementation, adoption, and benefits realization. This is a highly visible role requiring strong program governance, executive communication, business transformation, stakeholder management, strategic planning, change management, and portfolio/program execution capabilities.Key Responsibilities:Lead multiple large-scale, complex strategic programs, initiatives, and projects aligned with organizational priorities and measurable business outcomes.Translate business strategy and executive direction into integrated program roadmaps, workstreams, milestones, deliverables, decision points, and implementation plans.Establish and maintain effective program governance, including program charters, roles and responsibilities, decision forums, escalation processes, status reporting, and change control.Partner with senior executives, business owners, and cross-functional stakeholders to define program objectives, scope, KPIs, success criteria, and short- and long-term outcomes.Drive cross-functional alignment by facilitating strategic planning sessions, resolving competing priorities, clarifying ownership, and enabling timely decisions.Manage programs throughout the full lifecycle, including intake, prioritization, planning, execution, implementation, transition, adoption, and benefits realization.Develop and maintain integrated schedules, work plans, resource plans, budgets, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables across multiple workstreams.Monitor program performance and analyze KPIs, trends, risks, and gaps to identify opportunities and recommend corrective actions.Identify, assess, communicate, and mitigate strategic, operational, financial, organizational, and delivery risks, issues, constraints, and dependencies.Prepare concise executive-level reporting, dashboards, presentations, recommendations, and decision materials that clearly communicate program health, outcomes, risks, tradeoffs, and next steps.Build strong stakeholder relationships and communication strategies that promote accountability, alignment, commitment, and sustained adoption.Lead business readiness and organizational change management activities, including impact assessments, communications, training coordination, transition planning, and adoption measurement.Facilitate requirements gathering, business process analysis, and future-state planning to ensure initiatives effectively address business needs.Evaluate program effectiveness, business value, and ROI while tracking benefits realization and recommending adjustments to improve outcomes.Manage program budgets, resource requirements, vendor/partner coordination, and the impact of changes to approved plans.Maintain accurate program documentation, including plans, decisions, assumptions, risks, issues, dependencies, status reports, lessons learned, and outcomes.Provide strategic guidance and coaching to project managers, workstream leads, business partners, and cross-functional teams.Contribute to continuous improvement of program management methodologies, governance frameworks, templates, standards, and business planning processes.Support cross-functional committees and enterprise initiatives with significant organizational or business-unit impact.Required Skills/Education:Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, Strategy, Operations, Project Management, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered.Extensive experience leading multiple strategic programs, initiatives, and projects in complex, cross-functional environments.Proven ability to translate organizational strategy into executable roadmaps, integrated plans, governance models, and measurable outcomes.Strong expertise in program and project management, including scope, schedule, milestones, resources, budgets, dependencies, risks, issues, and change control.Demonstrated success partnering with senior leadership and influencing cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority.Significant experience developing program governance, executive reporting, decision-making frameworks, and stakeholder accountability models.Proven experience leading business transformation, operational improvement, organizational change, business readiness, and adoption initiatives.Ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities, complex dependencies, and multiple concurrent workstreams.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information and develop actionable recommendations.Experience defining and tracking KPIs, program performance metrics, business outcomes, and benefits realization.Exceptional facilitation, negotiation, conflict-resolution, and stakeholder management skills.Excellent written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills, with the ability to present complex business information clearly to diverse audiences.Preferred Skills:PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification.Experience with strategic planning, portfolio management, enterprise program management, business transformation, operating model design, or enterprise-wide initiatives.Change management certification or demonstrated experience applying structured change management methodologies.Experience leading enterprise-level strategic initiatives within highly regulated or complex organizations.Experience with portfolio governance, PMO operations, business process improvement, organizational readiness, and transformation programs.Strong understanding of financial management, resource planning, vendor management, and ROI/benefits realization.Experience developing executive dashboards, scorecards, and strategic performance reporting.Familiarity with applicable federal/state regulations, industry standards, and organizational policies within financial services or similarly regulated environments.Ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and results-oriented environment.About Seneca Resources: At Seneca Resources, we are more than just a staffing and consulting firm, we are a trusted career partner. With offices across the U.S. and clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations, we provide opportunities that help professionals grow their careers while making an impact. When you work with Seneca, you're choosing a company that invests in your success, celebrates your achievements, and connects you with meaningful work with leading organizations nationwide. We take the time to understand your goals and match you with roles that align with your skills and career path. Our consultants and contractors enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, and the support of a dedicated team who will advocate for you every step of the way. Seneca Resources is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.