Manager, Program Mgmt

Job Description

Job Description

Ritter Communications has been at the forefront of the local communications industry for more than a century. We began providing telephone service in Northeast Arkansas in 1906.

Today, Ritter Communications serves over 100 communities across Arkansas, northeast Texas, southeast Missouri, and west Tennessee.

The company has grown steadily over the years, expanding rapidly and is now the largest privately-held regional broadband fiber, telecom, video and cloud services provider in the Mid-South.

Ritter invests heavily in the communities it serves by deploying proven, best-in-class infrastructure and technology, while coupling it with a world-class customer focused experience.

General Summary :

The Manager of Program Management is responsible for leading the PMO team to ensure timely and effective completion of multiple projects of varying scope while also effectively coordinating with all related functions in the Organization (e.

g., Sales, Service Engineering, Outside Plant Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Construction, Etc.) and Vendors.

The role of this position is to oversee the planning, execution and finalization of projects according to strict deadlines and within budget.

This includes but is not limited to acquiring resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and third-party contractors or consultants in order to deliver projects according to plan.

This position will manage a team comprised of varying levels of project managers.

Essential Duties :

• Manages process and operational use of tools for all phases of work : design, implementation, closeout, & change order management;
• Drives standardization, quality and optimization across multiple programs;
• Works with key customers in identifying program needs and leads program infrastructure, implementation, and governance structure;
• Partners with key functional leaders to identify performance gaps, prioritize opportunities, and manage improvement roadmap for functional areas;
• Works with VP to establish and outline department goals; provides updates to VP on a regular basis;
• Facilitates cross-functional process improvement for projects, leads Rapid Improvement events, including identifying and managing all resources needed, selection of, and training on tools to be used, process mapping, documentation and rollout of improved processes as they pertain to the PM function;
• Investigates and identifies root causes of process performance drivers; corrects or develops new processes, as appropriate in order to achieve improved performance;
• Partners with the Training Specialist to act as a change agent for the company and ensures process improvement activity is communicated, understood, and supported within the organization as it pertains to Program Management;
• Provides the appropriate level of leadership and coaching to ensure participation and buy in from employees in order to sustain improved processes in Program Management;
• Develops detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports; applies control procedures resulting in permanent corrective action, yield, and productivity improvement;
• Develops project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans; conferring with management, identifying project phases and elements, assigning resources, managing timelines;
• Provides weekly written status reports to designated cross-functional stakeholders to include current accomplishments, objectives for next period, any systems / project issues with recommendations for resolution, status of current projects quantifying time worked, steps completed, items needing completion and expected completion date;
• Meets or conferences with stakeholders on a weekly basis to plan project assignments, schedules, and review status updates;
• This meeting should also include planning and prioritizing for upcoming installations;
• Ensures that project schedules are maintained by monitoring project progress; coordinating activities; independently resolving problems;
• Prepares management project status reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends; recommending actions including budgetary status;
• Interacts frequently with stakeholders and direct reports to interpret their needs and requirements;
• Coaches, mentors and motivates staff, project team members and contractors, and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work;
• Conducts project post mortems and create a recommendations report in order to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements;
• Develops best practices and tools for project execution and management;
• Checks and responds to emails;
• Reviews invoices to ensure accuracy with project status and budgetary requirements;
• Works all necessary hours as required to meet project deadlines;
• Ensures project managers are managing the profit & loss, job cost, cash flow, contract deliverables, and increase asset yield for all of their assigned projects;
• Ensures project teams keep customers informed of project progress, issues and projected completion dates;
• Ensures deployment and customer meetings are held regularly and issues / conflicts are resolved promptly; This includes working cooperatively with Region, and Market teams to integrate and administer all activities to ensure customer satisfaction;
• Develops and maintains working knowledge of customer contracts and customer expectations;
• Works in close collaboration with multiple stakeholders in the identification of functional, organizational and / or procedural issues and bring about swift and effective solutions;
• Travels to customer sites, project areas, business related events, and other Ritter Communications locations as required;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the VP IT, Program Management, & Facilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Demonstrated experience in improvement initiatives, root cause analysis and project management;
• Advance working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio;
• Ability to provide guidance and oversight to staff;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities;
• Knowledge of company policies and procedures and the ability to write effective policy and procedures;
• Knowledge of telecommunications network design, IT and construction practices;
• Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities;
• Reacts to project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently;
• Flexible during times of change;
• Persuasive, encouraging, and motivating;
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including upper management, clients, and other departments;
• Ability to defuse tension among project team, should it arise;
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment is crucial;
• Strong project management skills managing complex, multi-faceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to details;
• Knowledge of Project Management discipline with ability to lead cross-functional teams;
• Proficient in the use of appropriate project management reporting and tracking software;
• Strong organization, time management, and presentation skills;
• Ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential;
• Ability to travel for business requirements; must possess a valid Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

Education and Experience :

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Engineering, or related field preferred; MBA a plus
• Experience in telecommunications, construction, engineering or IT required;
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Project Management with leadership experience with fiber / IP / wireless;
• PMP or PgMP certification preferred;
• Experience in an environment-managing complex projects involving aggressive scheduling, budget and quality goals within a matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders required;
• Proficient in using technology as a management-reporting tool.

Ritter Communications is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strive to maintain a drug-free workplace.

We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, cancer, accident and life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, free gym membership, company discounts, tuition reimbursement, paid training, paid leave, and much more!