Technical Program Manager - job 1 of 2

As a Technical Program Manager at TextNow, your responsibilities will include coaching Agile teams, coordinating project planning, managing release cycles, and ensuring transparency across projects. You will work with other TPMs to standardize processes and promote continuous improvement, helping teams optimize their productivity and deliver high-quality results.

To qualify for the Technical Program Manager role at TextNow, you should have at least 3 years of Program Management or equivalent experience, with a strong understanding of software development and Agile methodologies. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with a proactive attitude and a passion for optimizing cross-functional projects.

A Technical Program Manager at TextNow should be well-versed in Atlassian software tools, particularly Jira for task management, Confluence for team collaboration, and Roadmaps for strategic planning. Familiarity with Agile and Kanban methodologies will also be beneficial in successfully managing projects.

TextNow is committed to fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement. As a Technical Program Manager, you will have access to various training programs, mentorship opportunities, and resources to enhance your skills. Additionally, our emphasis on a collaborative environment ensures that you can learn from your peers while contributing to team success.

The company culture at TextNow is centered around inclusion, collaboration, and a commitment to customer success. As a Technical Program Manager, you will be part of a dynamic team that values diversity of thought and actively works to create an environment where everyone feels valued. This culture of engagement and support empowers you to excel in your role.

In discussing your experience with Agile methodologies, be sure to highlight specific projects where you implemented these practices. Explain how you supported teams in Agile processes, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Focus on your role in facilitating team collaboration, ensuring transparency, and driving successful project outcomes.

When answering this question, share your approach to risk management, emphasizing proactive identification of potential issues. Discuss frameworks or tools you use, such as risk matrices or project management software, and provide examples of how you’ve successfully mitigated risks in past projects. This showcases your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Effective communication is key in a role like Technical Program Manager. Share strategies that have worked for you, such as regular check-ins, status updates, and utilizing collaboration tools like Confluence. Highlight your role in fostering an open environment where team members feel comfortable voicing their ideas and concerns.

When discussing prioritization, explain how you assess project impact and urgency. Describe techniques such as MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have) prioritization or using tools like a backlog to effectively manage workload, ensuring that the most critical tasks are addressed first.

In responding to this question, select a project that illustrates your skills and achievements. Clearly outline your objectives, the strategies you implemented, and any challenges you faced. Emphasize the outcome, focusing on how teamwork, stakeholder engagement, and your leadership contributed to achieving the project goals.

Describe your mentoring approach, which may include hosting workshops or one-on-one coaching sessions. Highlight how you assess team capabilities and tailor your mentoring to meet their specific needs. Mention any positive outcomes or improvements that resulted from your mentorship to demonstrate your effectiveness.

Emphasize the importance of transparency in building trust among team members and stakeholders. Discuss how you maintain open communication about project progress, challenges, and decisions. Provide examples of how this transparency has influenced team dynamics and project success in your previous roles.

Discuss your approach to quality assurance, including developing criteria at the start of a project and conducting regular reviews. Explain how you involve team members in quality checks and provide feedback throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that high standards are maintained and achieved.

Explain how you identify and document dependencies early in the project, regularly checking in with other teams to manage and address those dependencies. Discuss tools or techniques you utilize for tracking these dependencies and ensuring alignment and collaboration among teams.

Discuss your flexible approach to management, which may depend on team dynamics, project requirements, and individual team member strengths. Provide examples of how you've successfully tailored your style to help different teams succeed, demonstrating your adaptability and understanding of diverse working environments.