Senior Program Manager - Digital & Restaurant Technology

The Sr. Program Manager role provides solutions to complex, high-impact business problems from project request through implementation of key strategic initiatives/programs. This role is focused on strategic Technology Programs that impact our Operations and Digital efforts. This includes a collection of interdependent technology projects that make up a larger Program portfolio.  This role has ongoing accountability for all processes, resources, budgets, and deliverables related to projects/initiatives.  

Essential Functions of the Job

• Maintaining end-to-end ownership of multiple complex strategic initiatives/projects simultaneously and organize/prioritize them to meet the needs of Red Robin Restaurant Technology and Digital efforts (to ultimately deliver a guest centric experience).

• Scope and plan delivery of strategic programs in close collaboration with executive sponsors and stakeholders

• Resolves complex scope, budget and timeline conflicts, influencing executive-level sponsors as appropriate.

• Support business leaders during strategic business planning by gathering information required for business case development, creating project and resource plans, authoring requests for proposal, etc.

Relationship Management and Strategic Mindset

• Develop and maintains relationships with senior leaders and executives in the organization.  

• Work with Executives and VPs to gain alignment on strategy, priorities, and execution and conduct regular updates to broader leadership team

Project/Program Management Methodology

• Develop project plans (including comprehensive timelines), which include defining milestones, tasks and activities needed to achieve project goals

• Maintain a strong external perspective about how other leading-edge companies are solving similar problems and challenges. 

• Act as the point of contact for cross-functional teams involved in accordance with project timelines/schedules and drive participant engagement to gain commitment, drive decision making, and complete deliverable that advance projects forward toward completion.

• Helps to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, contributing to the development of others.

• Support the change management process working across the business to ensure change acceptance is high.

• Identify and proactively manage program risk and collaborate with Product Teams to mitigate risks across the program portfolio.

• Develop and manage deadlines, budgets, and activities across assigned program(s)

• Manage multiple programs in tandem, understanding how to juggle competing priorities.

• Exercise solid project leadership skills combined with strong business acumen and in-depth analytical skills.

Minimum Experience & Education

• Bachelors, Masters' or University Degree in a related field highly preferred; will consider candidates with equivalent combination of education, training and work experience. 5+ years relevant experience

• Experience will include leading large, complex enterprise initiatives and programs with multiple work streams focused on solutions or outcomes.

• Experience across multiple industries or functional business areas.

• Experience within Consulting, Restaurant, Hospitality, or Retail industries is strongly desired.

• Proficiency with various project management methodologies, approaches, techniques and tools.

• PMP or equivalent certification is strongly desired. Scrum or Agile certifications are also desired. 

• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills with professional staff, executives and the organization at large.

• Experience identifying, documenting and prioritizing requirements for business or technology projects.

• Solid experience driving and releasing changes impacting internal processes, products, and customers

• Professional leader who is skilled at managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Minimum Required Competencies (knowledge, skills, ability)

• Experience in custom development, API and third-party software implementations and integration projects.  Familiarity with service-oriented architecture and the software development lifecycle.

• Strong technical background ideally in the hospitality industry with knowledge of POS systems, payments, credit card processing and general restaurant experience

• Possess a broad and flexible toolkit of techniques that can be used organize people and activities that clearly assign responsibility for tasks and decisions, sets well-defined objectives and measures, monitors progress, and delivers results.

• Strategic Agility – can see ahead and anticipate future consequences and trends accurately, has a broad knowledge and perspective, is future oriented and can be creative when thinking about solutions 

• Knowledgeable about how organizations operate and knows how to get things done through both formal and informal channels. 

• Flexibility to adapt project management approach and leadership style to the context and constraints of each project. 

• Excels at leading diverse teams and possess the necessary soft skills to be successful including strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts and building commitment within a team and relating well to all kinds of people to build constructive and effective relationships. 

• Creates focus for others by quickly identifying what is important and eliminating roadblocks. 

• Quick and versatile learner that quickly grasps the essence of and underlying structure of ideas, technology/systems, processes, etc.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to influence others without having direct authority.

• Flexible with a high tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity.

• Confident, self-aware team player open to receiving and providing, effective feedback.

• Instinctive problem solver that uses rigorous logic and methods to delivery effective solutions.

• Expert in group facilitation and strong work ethic.

Benefits

• Eligible for an annual bonus

• Flexible paid time off and holidays

• Health, vision, dental, life insurance plans, and discounts

• 401(k) savings plan plus a company match with immediate vesting

• Eligible to participate in the employee stock purchase plan after 1 year of continuous employment

• Discounts on Red Robin food

Red Robin is an Equal Opportunity & E-Verify Employer