Senior Manager, PMO (Hybrid San Antonio)

The Senior Manager, PMO at Rackspace plays a pivotal role in managing intra-organizational relationships between the Implementation and Operations teams. This includes overseeing project managers, facilitating stakeholder communication, and ensuring efficient project delivery. You'll be responsible for planning and executing multiple projects, developing business processes, and driving operational excellence throughout the organization.

To qualify for the Senior Manager, PMO role at Rackspace, candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in a relevant field. While project certifications like PMP or Six Sigma are beneficial, substantial relevant experience can also substitute for the degree requirement. A minimum of 8-10 years of work experience, alongside 2-5 years of direct people management experience, is essential for this role.

At Rackspace, the Senior Manager, PMO is not just a leadership role, but a stepping stone for potential future leaders. You’ll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor your team while contributing to their professional development. Additionally, with a focus on operational excellence and process improvement, employees are encouraged to develop new skills and take on greater responsibilities over time.

The Senior Manager, PMO position at Rackspace is a hybrid role, requiring you to work from the San Antonio office two days a week. This provides a balanced work environment, allowing you to collaborate effectively with your team while also enjoying flexibility in your work arrangements.

For the Senior Manager, PMO position at Rackspace, an intermediate understanding of project lifecycle processes, industry trends, and awareness of hyperscalers such as AWS, Azure, and GCP is crucial. Familiarity with project management tools, such as Jira Software, alongside skills in risk management and business analytics, will help ensure success in this role.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects you've managed, emphasizing your role in coordinating between teams, handling stakeholder communication, and delivering projects on time and within budget. Provide quantifiable outcomes whenever possible to demonstrate your impact.

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including tools or methodologies you use, such as the Eisenhower Matrix or agile practices. Explain how you assess the impact and urgency of tasks and how you communicate priorities to your team.

Share specific examples of how you've inspired team members through servant leadership principles. Discuss strategies such as providing autonomy, recognizing achievements, and encouraging innovation within your team.

Describe your conflict resolution approach, focusing on active listening, acknowledging differing viewpoints, and finding common ground. Share any specific instances where you successfully mediated stakeholder conflicts.

Discuss your stakeholder engagement strategies, including regular communication, creating feedback loops, and building strong relationships. Mention how you adapt your approach based on individual stakeholder needs.

Provide a concrete example of a successful process improvement project. Discuss the problem you identified, the steps you took to implement changes, and the measurable outcomes resulting from your efforts.

Explain your approach to aligning projects with organizational strategy, such as involving senior management in project planning sessions and continuously reviewing how project deliverables contribute to broader goals.

Discuss how you leverage technology, such as project management software or communication tools, to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and track project progress. Highlight any experience with specific technologies relevant to the role.

Talk about your risk assessment techniques, such as thorough project assessments and using risk management tools. Share examples of how you've successfully identified and mitigated risks in past projects.

Share your leadership philosophy, such as servant leadership, and how it shapes your interactions with your team and stakeholders. Discuss specific outcomes or changes you've seen as a result of your leadership style.