Job description

Futures start here. Where first steps, new friendships, and confident learners are born. At KinderCare Learning Companies, the first and only early childhood education provider recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award , we offer a variety of early education and child care options for families. Whether it’s KinderCare Learning Centers, Champions, or Crème de la Crème, we build confidence for kids, families, and the future we share. And we want you to join us in shaping it—in neighborhoods, at work, and in schools nationwide. At KinderCare Learning Companies, you’ll use your skills and expertise to support the work (and fun) that happens in our sites and centers every day. From marketers and strategists to financial analysts and data engineers, and so much more, we’re all passionate about crafting a world where children, families, and organizations can thrive. KinderCare is seeking a strategic and experienced Principal IT Program Manager to lead complex technology initiatives across Technology Operations and Information Security & Compliance. In this role, you will oversee portfolio governance, strategic planning, delivery, risk management, and executive reporting while leading and developing a team of project managers. As the Principal IT Program Manager, you will partner with Product, Engineering, Architecture, Security, Finance, Operations, vendors, and business leaders to translate priorities into executable roadmaps, manage dependencies, allocate resources, and drive successful outcomes. Responsibilities: Lead and develop project managers while establishing consistent program management practices, standards, and delivery disciplines Oversee portfolio health, priorities, roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, capacity, budgets, risks, and outcomes to support effective prioritization and resource allocation Establish program governance, charters, decision rights, escalation paths, reporting standards, and appropriate delivery frameworks for complex initiatives Drive high-impact, complex, regulated, and executive-sponsored initiatives while ensuring operational readiness, security, compliance, vendor, and change-management requirements are addressed Leverage Jira, Confluence, automation, and AI-enabled workflows to improve portfolio visibility, reporting, decision-making, and continuous improvement Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, with 10 years of progressive project or program management experience leading complex technology initiatives Experience leading, coaching, and developing project or program management professionals while influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority Knowledge of Technology Operations, infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, compliance, and other complex technology environments Expertise in scope, schedule, budget, risk, dependencies, resource management, governance, and stakeholder management across Agile, predictive, hybrid, and product-based delivery models Proficiency in Jira, Confluence, portfolio management, and data-driven reporting tools and practices #LI-REMOTE Our benefits meet you where you are. We’re here to help our employees navigate the integration of work and life: - Know your whole family is supported with discounted child care benefits. - Breathe easy with medical, dental, and vision benefits for your family (and pets, too!). - Feel supported in your mental health and personal growth with employee assistance programs. - Feel great and thrive with access to health and wellness programs, paid time off and discounts for work necessities, such as cell phones. - … and much more. We operate research-backed, accredited, and customizable programs in more than 2,000 sites and centers across 40 states and the District of Columbia. As we expand, we’re matching the needs of more and more families, dynamic work environments, and diverse communities from coast to coast. Because we believe every family deserves access to high-quality child care, no matter who they are or where they live. Every day, you’ll help bring this mission to life by building community and delivering exceptional experiences. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll come for the work, and stay for the people. KinderCare Learning Companies is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

Requirements

Must-haves

Lead and develop project managers while establishing consistent program management practices, standards, and delivery disciplines
Oversee portfolio health, priorities, roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, capacity, budgets, risks, and outcomes to support effective prioritization and resource allocation
Establish program governance, charters, decision rights, escalation paths, reporting standards, and appropriate delivery frameworks for complex initiatives
Drive high-impact, complex, regulated, and executive-sponsored initiatives while ensuring operational readiness, security, compliance, vendor, and change-management requirements are addressed
Leverage Jira, Confluence, automation, and AI-enabled workflows to improve portfolio visibility, reporting, decision-making, and continuous improvement
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, with 10 years of progressive project or program management experience leading complex technology initiatives
Experience leading, coaching, and developing project or program management professionals while influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority
Knowledge of Technology Operations, infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, compliance, and other complex technology environments
Expertise in scope, schedule, budget, risk, dependencies, resource management, governance, and stakeholder management across Agile, predictive, hybrid, and product-based delivery models
Proficiency in Jira, Confluence, portfolio management, and data-driven reporting tools and practices
Our benefits meet you where you are. We’re here to help our employees navigate the integration of work and life:
Know your whole family is supported with discounted child care benefits.
… and much more.

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

jiraaiagile

Platform: workday
Effort: long

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

Paid Time Off

Wellness