Staff Program Manager

As a Staff Program Manager at Zscaler, you'll lead critical IT projects and provide executive support to the CIO. Your responsibilities will include aligning projects with strategic goals, managing timelines and budgets, and ensuring collaboration between technical and non-technical teams. You'll also oversee the CIO's daily operations, travel, and scheduling while preparing materials for high-level meetings.

Zscaler requires candidates for the Staff Program Manager role to have over 10 years of experience in project management or executive support, with at least 5 years specializing in senior IT leadership. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of managing large-scale IT projects and navigating fast-paced environments effectively.

Candidates applying for the Staff Program Manager role at Zscaler should have a strong expertise in project management tools, including Jira and Asana. Familiarity with methodologies such as Agile and Waterfall is also preferred, along with experience using Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace to enhance productivity.

Zscaler actively encourages diversity within its workforce, including the Staff Program Manager role. The company believes that diverse teams drive innovation and success. They are committed to creating an inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive regardless of their background or identity.

Zscaler offers a comprehensive benefits program for Staff Program Managers, including various health plans, generous vacation and sick time, parental leave options, retirement plans, and education reimbursement. They also provide in-office perks and prioritize the well-being and development of their employees throughout their career stages.

When discussing your experience managing large-scale IT projects, focus on specific projects you have led, the methodologies you applied, and the outcomes achieved. Highlight your role in coordinating cross-functional teams and how you ensured alignment with the company's strategic goals to illustrate your leadership abilities.

In your response, mention specific project management tools such as Jira or Asana that you've used effectively. Discuss how these tools helped streamline your workflows and enhance team collaboration. Explain your familiarity with methodologies like Agile or Waterfall and share how choosing the right approach has benefited past projects.

To ensure effective communication between technical and non-technical teams, emphasize the importance of clarity and common goals. Describe strategies you've used, such as regular check-ins, creating project summary documents, or using visual project plans to bridge any knowledge gaps and foster collaboration among all parties involved.

When asked about managing competing priorities, share a specific example where you effectively balanced multiple projects. Discuss your approach to prioritization, stakeholder communication, and time management, and highlight the successful outcome – such as meeting deadlines or improving team morale.

Discuss your organizational skills, attention to detail, and proactive communication style when managing a CIO's schedule. Explain how you prioritize tasks, anticipate needs, and prepare for meetings to ensure the CIO's time is optimized, which ultimately supports the strategic objectives of the organization.

Address how confidentiality is paramount when working with executive leaders. Talk about your experience dealing with sensitive information, emphasizing the importance of discretion, secure communication methods, and a strong ethical framework to maintain trust with senior leadership.

Share a specific instance where data analysis led to the enhancement of a project's performance. Discuss the metrics you tracked, how you interpreted the data, and the actionable insights you provided to your team or stakeholders that resulted in improved project execution or outcomes.

In your response, highlight critical skills such as strong project management expertise, effective communication, adaptability, and relationship-building capabilities. Connect these skills to the responsibilities outlined in Zscaler's job description, emphasizing how they contribute to successful IT project delivery.

Discuss your experience in vendor management, including how you select vendors, negotiate contracts, and ensure they align with project objectives. Highlight the importance of maintaining good relationships and regular communication with vendors to facilitate collaboration and accountability in IT initiatives.

Articulate your motivations for wanting to join Zscaler by aligning your goals and values with the company's mission to make the cloud a safe place for business. Express enthusiasm for the organization's collaborative culture, commitment to technological innovation, and dedication to diversity and inclusion.