Technical Program Manager, Software

SMART Technologies is an award-winning company that collaborates with bright minds around the world who believe in the power of innovation. We’re large enough to do great things but small enough that you don’t get lost in the crowd. Our continued success is possible because o f our ‘Best in Class’ culture and unique talents of every individual at SMART .

Make an impact in education and business and beyond. Be a part of meaningful work that fuels connections across the globe. These are the connections that really matter - and inspire greatness. #WeAreSMART #ConnectionsThatMatter

Purpose of the position

As a Software Technical Program Manager, you will drive the delivery of software programs that span SMART's internal engineering teams and external vendors and partners around the world. You will coordinate integrations between SMART-authored software and partner platforms, manage dependencies across globally distributed teams, and keep programs on track from planning through release.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering, product management, and operations. You will need enough technical depth to understand how the software works and where integrations can break, combined with the organizational discipline to keep distributed teams aligned. You are highly organized, a strong communicator, technically minded, and comfortable working across cultures and time zones to get things done.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work directly with product management to have a complete understanding of product goals and requirements.
• Work alongside both internal and external hardware and software engineering and management teams as a key contributor to project plans providing technical insight, governance, and support.
  • Technical coordination across software engineering teams, with supporting hardware teams where integrations require it.
  • Understand project dependencies and ensure technical execution against project plans providing direction and prioritization as required
  • Anticipate risks; assess, mitigate, and manage accordingly.
  • Work with external partners and vendors to understand their platforms and release schedules, and align their work with SMART’s integration needs.
• Keep product, engineering, and operations leadership aligned on program plans, status, and trade-offs. Facilitate cross-organizational discussions to surface and resolve technical dependencies.
• Track technical dependencies across teams and assess their impact on schedule, resourcing, and integration points. Stay close to architecture and design decisions led by engineering teams so program plans reflect the technical reality.

• Own regular program status communication — progress, risks, and blockers — to stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations, with enough technical depth to explain what’s actually happening on the ground.

• Remove roadblocks for engineering teams — identify what's slowing delivery and clear it, whether that's a dependency, a decision, or a resourcing gap.
• See the whole chess board — maintain a cross-program view of how engineering, product, partner, and release moves interact, and anticipate second-order effects before they hit the schedule.
• Performing other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of industry experience delivering software products or leading software development or program management teams.
• Demonstrated track record of exceeding established goals consistently.
• Combined strengths in technical knowledge/skills and business acumen.
• Experienced in software delivery methodologies and release management across distributed teams.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.

• Professional demeanor and the ability to manage issues with tact and diplomacy.

• Proven experience successfully operating in a global, highly matrixed environment is required.
• A self-starter with strong analytical skills, prioritization skills, initiative, and superior attention to detail.
• Perseveres and works through challenges to achieve success.
• Action and performance oriented. Able to execute complex programs independently.
• Ability to motivate and inspire others to collaborate effectively.
• Project management experience with both waterfall and agile methodologies. Familiar with roles such as software architect, product manager, and product owner.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills to communicate equally well with engineers, product managers, and executives.
• Experience coordinating with globally distributed engineering teams and external technology partners, including across Asia and Europe.

Supervision

• This role does not have any direct reports.

Working conditions

• Based in Calgary (location flexible but working out of our Calgary office is strongly preferred).
• Fast-paced work environment with a high performing and highly interactive team that is primarily in the office. Access to technology and products is paramount to effectively performing in the role.
• Comfortable working outside of core hours when required to support engagements with overseas external partners.
• Able to travel internationally (up to 20%).

At SMART, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace where all individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability can thrive. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.