Program Delivery Lead

At Horizontal Digital, we hold ourselves to one key belief: You’re only as good as your worst customer experience. This mantra is what drives our digital consultancy to think beyond the easy answers and instead create websites, apps, portals and other experiences that solve customer needs for Fortune 500 companies in intuitive and empathetic ways. And we make this lofty standard a reality by fusing strategy, data, design and technology together to arrive at solutions that set the bar higher for everyone. 

We use these values to fuel superior results: 
 

Lock arms 
We forge relationships that make our impact 1,000x stronger. This means working across departments and engaging both our clients and our communities to deliver the greatest good. 

Show hustle 
We’re not ones to sit on our hands and wait. Instead, we anticipate opportunities, collectively roll up our sleeves and find ways to execute the exceptional. 

Embrace change 
From new technologies to workplace philosophies, we welcome the unexpected and constantly anticipate what’s next. 

Elevate empathy 
We listen before we take action. This means understanding a variety of perspectives and holding ourselves to a higher standard of accountability. 

Never settle 
We motivate each other to push past the easy answers and collectively arrive at bigger, more inspiring ideas. 
  
But enough about us. Let’s talk about you.  
  
We are seeking a seasoned Program Delivery Lead with a consulting mindset to join our growing team. In this role, you will be responsible for cultivating high-performing teams and acting as a trusted advisor to our clients. You will drive delivery excellence and value outcomes with speed and quality on your programs/projects. You will bring your expertise to partner with clients, identify their needs and challenges, and then leverage Agile (and hybrid) practices to deliver exceptional results. 

What you’ll do:  

• Delivery Partnership & Strategy: Partner with clients to define program goals, uncover underlying needs and challenges, and ensure program delivery aligns with their strategic objectives (in partnership with subject matter experts).   

• Set the program strategy and adapt Agile / traditional practices to best suit the client's specific needs and program complexities.  

• Primary POC with the client sponsor / stakeholders for the overall program / engagement delivery, to include managing client expectations.  

• Estimate, plan, and deliver through partnering and collectively locking arms across craft areas, practice areas, and client stakeholders. 

• Hybrid Program Management: Demonstrate flexibility to work within a hybrid program management method, leveraging both Agile and traditional program/project management approaches.  

• Accountable to drive timely, value delivery for clients and achieve profitable program results.  

• Create, manage and communicate project/program plans and value outcomes.   

• Mitigate risks / blockers and make course corrections.  

• Deliver efficiently and effectively, optimizing program/project delivery processes. 

• Managing commercial and financial operations for program/project performance (including related internal tools and systems data). 

• Accountable to delivery best practices. 

• Agile Execution: Embracing the Product Operating Model and facilitating Agile and Scaled Agile ceremonies / events, building high performing delivery teams & team health.   

• Plan and drive increment & sprint roadmaps, along with backlog health (in collaboration craft leads). 

• Analyze program performance data using a holistic lens, incorporating both Agile metrics (e.g., velocity, cycle time) and traditional project management benchmarks (e.g., earned value). 

• Identifying trends and implement continuous improvement initiatives.  

• Communicating performance updates and value outcomes delivered, clearly and transparently, including QBRs. 

• Creating and optimizing the use of Agile program management tools for teams to plan and manage work activities. 

• Agile Servant Leadership: Cast, empower, enable, and motivate cross-functional / cross-geo, high-performing Agile teams to achieve optimal performance, plan increment & sprint roadmaps, and deliver value outcomes on time.   

• Foster a collaborative work environment where team members can thrive. 

• Coach and guide teams (Agile, SAFe, POM) 

• Problem-Solving: Proactively identify potential program roadblocks.  

• Drive collaboration and dependency planning across crafts, teams, and workstreams 

• Work collaboratively with the team(s) to proactively identify mitigation operations and alternative solutions. 

• Client-Centric: Actively listen to and understand stakeholder concerns.  

• Ask probing questions to identify root causes of issues.  

• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to guide informed decision-making.  

• Move from a state of ambiguity to one of clarity.  

• Consulting Approach: Act as a trusted advisor to clients.  

• Offer strategic recommendations on Agile adoption and program management best practices. 

• Connecting clients to subject matter experts in other capability areas and practices. 

• Mentorship and Coaching: Mentor junior program managers and Agile team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. 

Who you are:  

• Digital Consulting Experience 

• Proven track record of leading and executing large-scale digital transformation initiatives that deliver significant business value and competitive advantage. 

• Deep expertise in leveraging key technologies like CMS, CRM, CDP, Sitecore, and Salesforce products to drive transformational digital initiatives. 

• Experience in advising key client stakeholders on digital program best practices to optimize their program operations and enhance their digital presence. 

• Ability to identify and capitalize on new opportunities to drive growth and innovation. 

• Project Management Expertise 

• Proven ability to lead and manage multiple complex digital projects simultaneously, ensuring successful delivery of value with quality and speed to meet business objectives within budget and exceeding client expectations. 

• Proven ability to align digital initiatives with overall business goals and drive measurable outcomes. 

• Deep experience in managing large, geographically dispersed teams to foster collaboration and deliver results. 

• Proven ability to define contracts and manage programs and partnership to contract terms that will achieve and drive business value. 

• Proactive approach to risk management and issue resolution, ensuring project success. 

• Strong financial acumen to estimate and optimize project profitability. 

• Proficiency with advanced project management methodologies and tools, including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches. 

• Analytical and problem-solving skills to anticipate and address complex challenges proactively 

• Team Leadership and Development 

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams of digital experts, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. 

• Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals. 

• Mentorship and coaching skills to develop and empower team members to reach their full potential. 

• Effective conflict resolution skills to maintain a positive and productive team environment. 

• Effective Communication and Presentation 

• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders at all levels. 

• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences clearly and concisely.     

• Influence and persuasion skills to drive consensus and gain buy-in from key stakeholders. 

• Strong communication skills to present strategic recommendations and justify investment decisions. 

What you bring:   

• Minimum 6+ years of experience working with digital programs as a Program Delivery Lead 

• A minimum of 2 years agency/consultancy experience. 5+ years preferred. 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

• Certifications in Agile methodologies (e.g., Certified Scrum Master (CSM), PMI-ACP) 

• Experience and certifications in scaling Agile methodologies across an organization (e.g., SAFe Agilist (SA) or SAFe Practice Consultants (SPC)) preferred. 

• Experience with Jira/Confluence preferred.