Program Manager (Sourcing & Vendor Engagements)

Program Manager
Location: Fully remote-- CA preferred (open to EST)
Pay: $80-95/hr (W2)
Duration: Initial 6-month contract (expected extensions/conversion)
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hrs/week (Mon–Fri)
Target Start: May 2026
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid vacation & sick leave

Job Overview:

Partner with cross-functional teams such as Sourcing and Vendor Engagements to enable customized DSS contracting processes.

Responsibilities:

• Define and manage strategic initiatives that improve team efficiency and impact, establishing operational systems and outcomes.
• Proactively identify and partner with stakeholders on internal processes, templates, and guidelines to improve team optimization and documentation.
• Partner with team leadership on establishing effective team communication, information distribution, and cross-team collaboration.
• Partner with cross-functional teams such as Sourcing and Vendor Engagements to enable customized DSS contracting processes
• Manage relationship with select group of preferred vendors, building the business-specific operations and processes needed to streamline intake
• Support research planning and allocation by tracking, aligning and executing project specific contracting/PO’s and invoice tracking against open PO’s
• Manage the operational and financial efficiency of the DSS budget by maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial datasets, files, and reports.
• Perform data analysis and provide insights to inform and support business driven decisions.
• Prepare metric-driven status reports by gathering, analyzing and summarizing relevant information.
• Proactively manage expectations: define clear program roadmaps, provide frequent program updates, identify and communicate risks and adjustments, and ensure commitments are delivered.
• Provide flexible approaches that meet team needs, including the ability to move fast and make progress or navigate blocks quickly

Requirements:

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience
• Experience with establishing programs and leading them end-to-end while scaling for growth. Experience integrating AI tools and workflows into business operations or program management. Demonstrated ability to drive responsible and ethical AI adoption in cross-functional settings.
• Experience building relationships with peers and executive stakeholders and collaborating with c cross-functional teams across multiple locations.
• Experience leveraging data to inform decisions and drive change.

Must-Have Skills:

1. Experience with establishing programs in a management position and leading them end-to-end while scaling for growth.
2. Experience leveraging data to inform decisions and drive change.
3. Experience with vendor management and contract negotiation
4. Experience working with stakeholders

Good-to-Have Skills:

1. Experience working directly with UX researchers, Finance, and Legal teams.
2. Experience integrating AI tools and workflows into business operations or program management.
3. Experience building relationships with peers and executive stakeholders and collaborating with cross-functional teams across multiple locations:
4. Strong communication skills

Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.

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