Program Manager

**Position Title:** Program Manager **Location:** South San Francisco, CA **Type:** Full-time Ohalo is hiring a Program Manager (PM) to lead strategic programs across the organization. You will manage and oversee cross-functional programs that span R&D, engineering, and operations, driving complex initiatives from concept through execution and delivery. This is a full-accountability leadership role: you will act as the general manager for a set of high-impact programs, owning outcomes, defining strategy, and managing the work of cross-functional individuals across technical and business functions. This role requires strong program and project management fundamentals, experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives, strong leadership and organizational skills, and proven ability to leverage AI tools to accelerate and scale work output. Experience in a technical, scientific, or engineering environment is a plus but not required. The ideal person thrives in a high-ownership, fast-moving environment and is excited by leading complex, high-stakes initiatives from ambiguity to execution. **Responsibilities:** **Program General Management & Accountability** - Own program success for one or more strategic, cross-functional programs. - Design and implement scalable processes and methods for planning, execution, and tracking. - Drive alignment across stakeholders and executive leadership and own crisp decision-making, escalation, and accountability. - Own budgeting, forecasting, and analytics of managed programs. **Cross-Functional Orchestration & Execution, Communications** - Build and maintain integrated program plans that connect complex, interdependent workstreams across teams and disciplines, ensuring dependencies and critical paths are explicit and managed. - Define program architecture at the “system level” (workstreams, interfaces, handoffs, validation strategy), and ensure teams execute to an integrated schedule. - Make the call on trade-offs and escalations; drive alignment across scientists, operators, and executive leadership without waiting for consensus. - Proactively identify bottlenecks and unblock teams through clear prioritization, fast follow-through, and structured problem-solving. - Translate technical complexity into clear artifacts for audiences ranging from scientists to Ohalo’s board - Use AI tools as a working practice to accelerate your work and move faster than a traditional PM function, while holding a high bar for accuracy and traceability. **Qualifications:** - 6-8+ years experience leading complex, cross-functional programs or portfolios (R&D, technology, operations, or related), with clear accountability for outcomes. - Strong systems thinker, comfortable operating across disciplines and synthesizing ambiguity into executable plans. - Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and deliver against timelines, milestones, and stakeholder commitments typical of program management roles. - Proven ability to influence without authority, negotiate tradeoffs, and create alignment across technical and non-technical stakeholders. - High ownership, intrinsically motivated leader who is energized by mission-driven work and holds a high bar for follow-through. - First-principles thinker: breaks a problem down to what's actually true before accepting "that's how it's always been done”; isn't afraid to redesign a process or try a new approach - Tech savvy, with strong AI utilization habits and comfort adopting new tools quickly. - Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant certifications (PMP, Six Sigma, or similar) are a plus. - Experience in a scientific, technical, or engineering environment is a plus but not required. * * * The anticipated base pay range for this role is $140,000 - $220,000 per year for our South San Francisco location, which represents several levels for this function. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limi…