Senior Staff Program Manager

As a Senior Staff Program Manager at Fivetran, you will have a diverse set of responsibilities. You’ll facilitate operations and strategic execution across our engineering teams, ensuring that processes are streamlined and focused on value. You will oversee multiple global engineering groups while leading initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, you'll work with senior leadership to develop long-term visions and execution strategies, tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for success on your projects.

To qualify for the Senior Staff Program Manager position at Fivetran, you should have significant experience—generally over 8 years—in technical or operational management, particularly within the technology or software development industry. A background in driving complex software projects and familiarity with project management tools is also essential. Your communication skills should be excellent to effectively interact with diverse teams, and having a firm grasp of engineering processes will help you excel in this role.

At Fivetran, Senior Staff Program Managers are supported through comprehensive leadership frameworks and resources to facilitate effective program execution. You will have direct access to senior leadership to navigate strategic programs and collaboration across engineering and cross-departmental teams. Additionally, Fivetran invests in personal development opportunities, enabling you to refine your skills and adapt to the fast-paced tech environment.

Fivetran promotes a dynamic and inclusive work culture where collaboration and innovation are celebrated. As a Senior Staff Program Manager, you can expect to be part of a team that values diverse perspectives and encourages open dialogue. The environment is fast-paced, allowing you to thrive on problem-solving and strategic thinking. With regular team activities and a focus on mental well-being, work becomes a fun and fulfilling experience.

A successful candidate for the Senior Staff Program Manager position at Fivetran will stand out by demonstrating a proven capability in optimizing operations at a global scale and executing programs from start to finish. Solid analytical and planning skills combined with a data-driven mindset will be crucial. Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern data technologies is advantageous. Additionally, interpersonal skills that foster collaboration with both technical and non-technical teams will significantly enhance your application.

When answering this question, detail your role in planning, execution, and the outcomes of the program. Focus on how you aligned the program objectives with strategic goals and how you handled challenges. Mention specific tools or methodologies you used, such as Agile or Scrum, and highlight key metrics that demonstrate the program’s success.

In your response, emphasize your use of frameworks like Eisenhower Matrix or MoSCoW prioritization. Discuss how you assess project urgency versus importance, and the tools you utilize (like Jira or Trello) for tracking progress. Highlight your ability to adjust priorities based on business needs and stakeholder feedback while maintaining clarity of communication with your team.

Share your experience with process mapping and adopting continuous improvement methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma. Illustrate how you gather input from team members and stakeholders, conducting audits to identify bottlenecks. Provide examples of successfully implemented changes and measurable outcomes to demonstrate your effectiveness in enhancing operational workflows.

Emphasize your conflict resolution skills and collaboration strategies. Explain your approach to understanding different perspectives and facilitating discussions to reach mutual agreements. Highlight a specific instance where you successfully mediated conflict, illustrating your skills in negotiation and maintaining team cohesion.

Discuss your experience in setting and aligning Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) across teams, emphasizing their role in driving focused performance and accountability. Describe how you measure success through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), tracking progress towards strategic goals, and how this has influenced positive outcomes in your previous roles.

Reflect on specific challenges, such as resource limitations or shifting priorities. Explain your problem-solving approach, showcasing adaptability and a focus on collaboration. Share how you communicated challenges to stakeholders and implemented solutions that ultimately improved project outcomes.

Detail your communication strategies, such as using clear, jargon-free language and adaptable presentation methods. Describe how you facilitate meetings and updates to bridge gaps between technical and non-technical groups. Highlight your experience in tailoring information to meet the needs of different audiences in your previous roles.

Discuss your mentoring philosophy and how you support team development through regular check-ins and constructive feedback. Mention any formal mentorship programs you have implemented and share success stories that demonstrate your effectiveness as a mentor in enhancing team capabilities.

Be specific about the process you improved, the steps you took to analyze its effectiveness, and the strategies you used for implementation. Explain how you communicated the changes to your team and measured the results, showcasing the overall impact of your contributions on operational efficiency.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on industry trends. Illustrate how you actively seek professional development opportunities, such as workshops or courses, that improve your expertise. Provide examples of how you have applied new knowledge to keep your strategies relevant in the tech industry.