Principal IT Program Manager & Product Owner

Global Software Resources offers a hybrid role based in Oakland, CA where you will lead IT product strategy and program execution across enterprise stakeholders. This position blends product ownership with large-scale delivery, governance, and portfolio investment planning, with an expected onsite cadence of about 1 day per week for visits while you remain remote otherwise.

What you’ll do

In this Principal IT Program Manager & Product Owner role, you will define and sustain product vision, strategy, and a long-term roadmap while steering complex multi-year IT programs that deliver business outcomes. You will act as a bridge across business leaders, technology teams, architecture, cybersecurity, operations, and executive leadership, connecting product vision to delivery execution through governance, funding, and continuous improvement.

• Define and maintain product vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap.
• Serve as Product Owner for strategic technology products and platforms.
• Build and prioritize product backlogs using business value, risk, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Translate business needs into product requirements, epics, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead product lifecycle management, including modernization, technical debt reduction, and technology refresh initiatives.
• Establish and monitor product KPIs, service metrics, and value realization measurements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend strategic investment opportunities.
• Lead enterprise-wide, cross-functional technology programs with multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Develop multi-year strategic plans, investment roadmaps, and delivery schedules aligned to enterprise and IT objectives.
• Oversee program governance, escalation paths, risk management, and executive reporting.
• Track benefits realization and drive continuous improvement across the portfolio.
• Run quarterly and annual planning activities.
• Develop and manage portfolio budgets, forecasts, and funding strategies; perform resource planning across internal teams, contractors, vendors, and managed service providers.
• Build business cases and investment recommendations for executive review.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service performance.
• Coordinate across product, engineering, cybersecurity, infrastructure, architecture, and operations teams; remove organizational barriers and resolve complex issues.
• Set delivery standards, governance processes, and performance expectations; apply Agile, Hybrid, and Waterfall methodologies as needed.
• Support communication and change management for complex initiatives; ensure delivery from concept through implementation and operational transition.
• Provide mentorship for Program Managers, Project Managers, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and emerging leaders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert across the organization, including strategic initiatives and special assignments requiring executive-level judgment.
• Present portfolio health, strategic recommendations, risks, and funding needs to leadership; facilitate decision-making and alignment across organizations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of technology program, portfolio, project, or product management experience.
• 8+ years leading large-scale enterprise technology initiatives.
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional programs with significant budgets and executive visibility.
• Experience serving as Product Owner, Product Manager, Program Manager, or Portfolio Manager.
• Demonstrated success leading digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, cloud migration, application modernization, or technology lifecycle management initiatives.
• Advanced understanding of product management and Agile methodologies.
• Expert knowledge of program and portfolio management principles.
• Strong financial planning, forecasting, and budget management capabilities.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
• Strategic planning and roadmap development expertise; strong stakeholder management and influence in a matrixed organization.
• Risk management, governance, and compliance expertise.
• Vendor and contract management experience.
• Ability to balance business priorities, operational requirements, and technology strategy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities; proven ability to lead organizational change and drive adoption.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Preferred certifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• PMI-ACP
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• SAFe Product Manager/Product Owner (POPM)
• SAFe Program Consultant (SPC)
• ITIL Foundation or higher

Key deliverables

• Product Vision & Strategy
• Multi-Year Technology Roadmap
• Portfolio Investment Plan
• Product Backlog & Prioritization Framework
• Financial Forecasts & Budget Plans
• Executive Status Reports
• Benefits Realization Dashboard
• KPI and Service Performance Metrics
• Risk & Issue Management Plans
• Governance and Compliance Reporting
• Lifecycle Management Plans

Success measures

• Delivery of strategic business outcomes
• Product adoption and customer satisfaction
• Portfolio financial performance
• On-time and on-budget program execution
• Reduction of technical debt and operational risk
• Achievement of service reliability and operational targets
• Stakeholder satisfaction and executive confidence
• Successful execution of lifecycle initiatives

Location: Oakland, CA (hybrid)
Duration: November 2, 2026 to December 31, 2027
Pay Rate: $95/hr. W2