Associate Director - Program Manager

The Associate Director - Program Manager at Nagarro is responsible for spearheading the planning and execution of multiple concurrent Agile Release Trains (ARTs). This role encompasses coordinating geographically dispersed teams, managing stakeholder communication, and facilitating cross-functional collaboration among various engineering and operational teams. The Program Manager also ensures the implementation of CI/CD best practices, manages project risks and dependencies, and aligns program objectives with the company’s strategic goals.

To qualify for the Associate Director - Program Manager role at Nagarro, candidates should have extensive experience in managing Agile programs, with proven expertise in Java and Java-based microservices architecture. Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, AWS services, and Agile methodologies like Scrum and SAFe is crucial. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills, project tracking proficiency (with tools such as Jira and Confluence), and experience in quality engineering principles.

Nagarro champions a culture of continuous improvement that is integral to the Associate Director - Program Manager's role. The Program Manager focuses on empowering teams through structured retrospectives, leadership coaching, and delivery maturity assessments. This collaborative approach fosters an innovative environment while driving operational excellence and ensuring that projects align with best practices for Agile delivery.

The work culture at Nagarro is dynamic and non-hierarchical, embracing diversity and inclusion. As an Associate Director - Program Manager, you’ll find yourself collaborating with a global team of experts while maintaining a supportive and innovative environment. Empowerment, open communication, and teamwork are at the core of our values, making it a stimulating place to grow your career.

The Associate Director - Program Manager position at Nagarro is a hybrid role, requiring three days a week in the office while allowing flexibility for remote work. This setup enables you to enjoy the best of both worlds—collaborating in person with your colleagues and leveraging the convenience of working from home.

To effectively prioritize tasks, I would assess each project's alignment with strategic goals, stakeholder impact, and resource availability. Utilizing Agile methodologies, I’ll engage in regular backlog grooming sessions with teams to evaluate and adjust priorities based on feedback and evolving business needs.

Certainly! I have extensive experience orchestrating multiple ARTs, wherein I facilitate program increment planning and maintain alignment among teams. My approach involves ensuring continual communication and collaboration, enabling teams to deliver high-quality increments while adapting to changing requirements flexibly.

I employ a proactive risk management strategy by identifying potential risks and creating mitigation plans in advance. Regularly reviewing and updating these risks during stand-ups and stakeholder meetings helps maintain visibility and preparedness.

I believe in maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders through regular updates, reports, and collaborative sessions. Engaging stakeholders in feedback loops ensures they have a voice in project decisions, which enhances satisfaction and supports project alignment with business goals.

Data plays a critical role in my decision-making. I track KPIs to assess project performance and progress, using these insights to drive adjustments and improvements in real-time. This approach ensures that decisions are based on empirical evidence, leading to more effective outcomes.

I focus on providing constructive feedback and fostering an environment where team members feel supported in their growth. By leading structured retrospectives and encouraging knowledge sharing and continuous learning, I help team members refine their skills and embrace innovative practices.

In a previous role, our team faced unexpected resource shortages leading to delays. I took the initiative to re-prioritize tasks and reallocate resources effectively. By maintaining clear communication with stakeholders and demonstrating our adaptability, we managed to catch up on project timelines and deliver successfully.

I ensure adherence to governance and compliance by establishing clear frameworks and procedures guiding project execution. Regular audits, status dashboards, and risk escalation protocols help us track compliance and address any discrepancies proactively.

Key metrics I consider vital include delivery timelines, stakeholder satisfaction scores, quality measures (like defect rates), and cost management. Together, these metrics provide a comprehensive view of a project's health and success.

Balancing quality and speed requires the implementation of CI/CD practices that emphasize automated testing and iterative releases. By enhancing collaboration between teams and refining our testing processes, we can ensure high-quality code without compromising on delivery speed.