Associate Director, Program Management

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Associate Director, Program Management based in the United States.

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Program Management to lead complex, cross-functional programs that support the development and launch of innovative educational products and services. In this strategic leadership role, you will oversee large-scale initiatives from early discovery and planning through development, launch, and post-launch improvements. You will work closely with Product, Engineering, Content, Design, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success teams to ensure alignment, accountability, and successful execution. You will translate organizational priorities into actionable program strategies, clear milestones, and measurable outcomes. Additionally, you will strengthen collaboration between product development and go-to-market functions to ensure successful launches and organizational readiness. This is an opportunity to drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and contribute to technology-enabled learning solutions that make a meaningful difference for educators and students.

Accountabilities

Lead strategic program execution: Initiate, define, and communicate program objectives aligned with organizational priorities, translating strategic vision into actionable plans, milestones, timelines, deliverables, and success metrics.
Oversee end-to-end program delivery: Manage complex, multi-year initiatives throughout the full product development lifecycle, including Discovery, Definition, Development, and Launch, ensuring clear scope, quality standards, timelines, and accountability.
Coordinate cross-functional workstreams: Drive collaboration across Product, Engineering, Content, Design, Marketing, Customer Success, Sales, and other business functions to ensure consistent execution and alignment.
Manage risks and dependencies: Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, issues, and interdependencies while balancing scope, cost, time, and quality considerations.
Facilitate strategic decision-making: Lead program checkpoints, phase transitions, and stakeholder discussions, ensuring shared understanding of priorities, requirements, acceptance criteria, and critical trade-offs.
Strengthen go-to-market readiness: Partner with Product Marketing, Sales, Customer Success, Professional Learning, and Operations teams to prepare for product launches through coordinated timelines, messaging, training, implementation planning, and customer-facing resources.
Ensure communication and transparency: Provide stakeholders with accurate and timely program updates, including progress reports, timelines, decision logs, risk registers, feature updates, and key milestones.
Bridge Product and GTM teams: Ensure downstream teams understand product functionality, customer value, development progress, and launch expectations throughout the product lifecycle.
Lead and develop talent: Manage, mentor, and support a team of program managers, encouraging professional development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Drive operational excellence: Establish and promote program management standards, methodologies, tools, templates, and performance metrics while identifying opportunities to improve workflows and organizational efficiency.
Promote continuous learning: Capture lessons learned, share best practices, and implement improvements that strengthen future program delivery.
Requirements
At least 7 years of experience in program or project management, with a proven track record of leading complex, large-scale, cross-functional initiatives.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with go-to-market functions, including Marketing, Sales, Enablement, Customer Success, and other customer-facing teams.
Proven ability to manage products or programs throughout the entire development lifecycle, from early discovery and strategic planning through launch and post-launch optimization.
Strong understanding of software development methodologies, content development processes, or integrated technology ecosystems combining hardware, software, and content.
Experience managing and developing teams, preferably with direct people-management responsibility for project or program managers.
Excellent strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex challenges into actionable solutions.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders and drive decisions without direct authority.
Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, establish structure, and bring clarity and stability to complex, evolving environments.
Strong organizational and project management capabilities, with a proactive approach to prioritization, execution, follow-through, and accountability.
Practical experience with modern program management and collaboration tools such as Jira, Asana, Smartsheet, and Confluence.
A collaborative, adaptable, and low-ego leadership style, with a strong commitment to teamwork and shared organizational goals.
Previous experience in Educational Technology (EdTech), educational publishing, SaaS, or other technology-enabled product environments is strongly preferred.
Benefits
Fully remote working arrangement within the United States.
Full-time employment opportunity.
Opportunity to lead strategic, high-impact programs with broad organizational visibility.
Meaningful contribution to the development of innovative educational products and services that support educators and students.
Collaborative, cross-functional working environment involving Product, Engineering, Marketing, Content, and Customer Success teams.
Leadership opportunities, including the ability to mentor and develop a team of program management professionals.
Opportunities for professional growth, strategic influence, and continuous learning.
Exposure to large-scale product development initiatives and modern program management practices.
Opportunity to contribute to operational improvements and shape program management standards across the organization.