Program Manager I

Title: Program Manager

Location: Buffalo, NY

Schedule: Hybrid, 4 days onsite / 1 flex day remote

Contract Length: 12+ months, likely extension and potential contract-to-hire


Position Overview


This is not a junior project management opportunity despite the Program Manager I title. The manager is seeking an experienced program leader capable of independently managing a complex banking technology initiative, facilitating executive-level communications, driving governance, and coordinating multiple workstreams. The individual will function as the central program lead and may oversee additional project managers as the program expands.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead planning, formation, and execution of a large-scale Embedded Banking program.

1. Create and maintain program charters, governance structures, roadmaps, and execution plans.

1. Manage multiple project workstreams and coordinate dependencies across teams.

1. Facilitate program meetings, stakeholder sessions, and executive review forums.

1. Deliver executive-level status reporting and program updates to senior leadership.

1. Identify, escalate, and resolve risks, issues, and program roadblocks.

1. Coordinate activities across technology and business stakeholders.

1. Provide leadership and direction to project managers assigned to supporting workstreams as the program grows.

Required Qualifications

• Experienced Program Manager capable of independently leading complex enterprise initiatives.

1. Demonstrated experience managing large, multi-workstream programs.

1. Strong executive communication and presentation skills.

1. Experience presenting status updates, risks, and program recommendations directly to senior leadership and executives.

1. Strong program planning, execution, governance, risk management, and dependency management experience.

1. Ability to operate in both business-facing and technology-facing environments.

1. Proven stakeholder management and facilitation skills.

1. Experience leading cross-functional teams through ambiguity and program formation stages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Banking or financial services industry experience.

1. Technology program management background.

1. Embedded Banking experience.

1. Experience supporting modernization or transformation initiatives.

1. Agile methodology experience.

1. PMP certification.

1. PgMP certification.

1. Prior experience managing highly visible enterprise-level programs.

Technical Environment


Required Knowledge

• Program governance

1. Program planning and execution

1. Risk and issue management

1. Dependency management

1. Executive reporting

1. Stakeholder management

1. Multi-workstream program leadership

Medical, dental, and vision insurance are available to qualified candidates who meet eligibility requirements.