Program Manager

Introduction

We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs. We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them. This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future.

Horace Mann is a purpose-driven company that is passionate about educators.

The Program Manager leads multiple large-scale projects and/or programs, ensuring successful delivery of technology solutions and services that meet company standards and user requirements. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and is responsible for strategic planning, execution oversight, stakeholder communication, and team leadership across organizational functions.

The Program Manager drives program performance, manages budgets and schedules, mitigates risks, and ensures alignment with business objectives.

• Lead multiple large projects and/or programs simultaneously

• Provide strategic direction across lines of business

• Direct and monitor project managers and program team members

• Mentor and develop less experienced project managers and team members

• Set team direction and establish clear goals and deliverables

• Assist in the creation of business cases

• Define and clarify project scope and objectives

• Develop and monitor program and project plans

• Develop and manage project schedules

• Develop and monitor program and project budgets

• Ensure deliverables align with established plans

• Determine appropriate organizational structure for program/project teams

• Identify roles and responsibilities across teams

• Coordinate activities across multiple organizational functions

• Ensure technology solutions and services meet company standards and user requirements

• Identify and develop mitigation plans for critical program issues and risks

• Monitor overall program progress and performance

• Escalate issues as appropriate

• Serve as primary liaison to steering committees and program sponsors

• Provide program-level reporting and executive communications

• Communicate progress, risks, and outcomes to project teams, sponsors, and management

• Assign work and ensure results are consistent with strategic plans

• Motivate and guide cross-functional teams

• Foster collaboration and accountability

• Promote a high-performance culture

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 8+ years of project/program management experience

• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex programs

• Strong business and product knowledge across multiple lines of business

• Proven ability to think strategically and execute tactically

• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills

• Experience managing budgets and cross-functional teams

• Certification or coursework in project management (e.g., CAPM, PMP, PgMP)