Agile/SAFe Program Manager

We are seeking a seasoned Agile/SAFe Program Manager to lead, inspire, and deliver complex Integrated Risk Management (IRM) initiatives, safeguarding our organization’s digital assets, data, and reputation. This role blends strategic program ownership, hands-on Agile delivery, and deep risk management expertise. You will orchestrate multiple cross-functional teams, manage large-scale enterprise programs, and embed risk-aware practices within Agile/SAFe delivery cycles.
The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of information security, technology delivery, and business enablement—driving measurable improvements to our risk posture while enabling innovation at scale.

Required Skills:

Program Leadership & Strategy
Lead end-to-end IRM program delivery, from vision and strategy to execution and benefits realization.
Develop and maintain detailed program execution plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and progress metrics.
Align IRM initiatives with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and enterprise risk appetite.
Oversee governance processes to ensure consistent, best-practice delivery across initiation, planning, execution, and closing phases.
Agile/SAFe Delivery Management
Champion SAFe principles across the IRM portfolio, facilitating Agile Release Trains (ARTs), Program Increment (PI) planning, Scrum of Scrums, and cross-team collaboration.
Plan, lead, and facilitate Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, daily stand-ups, reviews, retrospectives) and manage burn-up/burn-down tracking.
Guide teams and stakeholders transitioning from waterfall to Agile, promoting understanding of Agile roles and responsibilities.
Manage dependencies, resolve impediments, and coordinate delivery across multiple Scrum teams and programs.
Risk Management Integration
Embed proactive risk identification, evaluation, and mitigation into the Agile delivery lifecycle.
Ensure compliance with frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, COSO) and regulatory standards (GDPR, SOX, HIPAA).
Develop and present risk dashboards, program status reports, and executive briefings for all stakeholder levels.
Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement
Act as primary liaison between business owners, cybersecurity, compliance, IT teams, and executive leadership.
Build and maintain strong relationships across internal and external partners, ensuring alignment on priorities and deliverables.
Engage vendors for technology and service delivery, managing contractual and performance obligations.
Change Management & Continuous Improvement
Drive change initiatives to modernize IRM processes, tools, and team culture.
Leverage retrospectives and performance metrics to improve efficiency, quality, and delivery predictability.
Foster a learning environment that embraces agility, resilience, and iterative improvement.

Required Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred).
8+ years program/project management experience, including 4+ years as a Scrum Master in enterprise Agile delivery.
Proven expertise delivering large-scale IT and business application programs, preferably in security, risk management, or compliance domains.
Strong knowledge of Integrated Risk Management, cybersecurity frameworks, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Demonstrated experience implementing SAFe at program or enterprise level, including PI Planning, ART facilitation, and Lean-Agile practices.
Exceptional leadership, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills.
Proficiency in Agile delivery tools. Bonus if experienced in ServiceNow’s SPM (Strategic Portfolio Management)


Certifications:

Preferred Certifications
SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) or SAFe Agilist (SA)
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified SAFe Scrum Master
PMP, PgMP, or PMI-ACP
CISSP, CISM, or CRMP (risk/security-focused certifications)
ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist – IRM or equivalent platform credential
ITIL Foundation