Technical program manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager to own and drive complex, high‑visibility technology initiatives from concept through global deployment.

This role requires a seasoned technical leader who thrives in ambiguity, navigates complexity with ease, and is comfortable rolling up their sleeves to deeply understand technologies that power modern retail experiences. Curiosity, technical breadth, and strong execution discipline are essential.

DIRECT REPORTS

• None

SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY

This role owns the full lifecycle of complex, high-visibility technology programs—from initial scoping and architecture through global deployment and long-term support. The Senior Technical Project Manager serves as the central technical authority and primary client-facing leader for large-scale retail technology initiatives, with initial focus on multi-phase LED video wall programs for a major retail brand. This position carries direct accountability for program outcomes across scope, timeline, budget, and quality, while simultaneously building and maintaining high-trust relationships with engineers, designers, fabricators, and manufacturing partners across global time zones. The role operates with significant autonomy and is expected to make high-impact decisions that shape both client experience and internal capability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership & Oversight

• Provide senior-level oversight across multiple concurrent technology programs, ensuring technical feasibility, design excellence, and flawless execution within scope, timeline, and budget.
• Evaluate project opportunities, define high-level architecture, determine resource needs, and guide teams through complex decision-making.
• Lead the development and integration of hardware, software, and physical display systems, ensuring seamless performance in demanding retail environments.
• Build and maintain high-trust relationships with engineers, designers, fabricators, and manufacturing partners across global time zones.
• Define technical requirements, develop comprehensive technology BOMs, and guide sourcing, procurement, and estimation strategies.

Program & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients, translating their goals into actionable technical plans and delivering executive-level communication.
• Oversee large-scale project roadmaps, risk mitigation strategies, and milestone tracking across multiple parallel workstreams.
• Maintain and evolve technical documentation, including wiring schematics, integration maps, digital die lines, and BOMs.
• Define and implement documentation standards, QA processes, and best practices for installation, support, and troubleshooting.
• Lead internal and external status meetings, delivering clear updates to senior stakeholders.

Hands-On Technical Execution

• Personally evaluate, test, and validate technology solutions as part of pre-sale exploration, prototyping, and client demonstrations.
• Build quick-turn prototypes and technology demos that support new business development and innovation initiatives.
• Act as a tier-two escalation point for complex troubleshooting, ensuring issues are resolved swiftly and root causes are understood.
• Partner with technology vendors to scope, assess, and co-develop solutions tailored for retail activation.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Operate as the central hub between engineering, design, production, sourcing, and client teams—translating technical details into clear, actionable insights.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that encourages experimentation, knowledge sharing, and creative problem-solving.
• Anticipate communication gaps and proactively bridge them across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to scaling technical project management capabilities across the organization.

KEY INTERFACES (NON-REPORTING)

This role collaborates consistently with the following teams and functions outside its direct reporting structure: Engineering and Software Development teams (hardware/software integration), Design and Creative teams (retail experience and display design), Production and Fabrication teams (manufacturing and physical build), Sourcing and Procurement teams (vendor and component management), Client stakeholders and executive sponsors, Technology Vendors and LED/digital signage suppliers, Global Manufacturing Partners (including production facilities in China), and Installation and Field Support teams.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Success in this role will be measured against metrics including but not limited to:
• On-time and on-budget delivery rate across assigned technology programs
• Client satisfaction scores and retention on managed accounts
• Prototype and demo quality as measured by client approval and conversion
• Speed and effectiveness of issue resolution (escalation response time)
• Accuracy and completeness of technical documentation (BOMs, schematics, integration maps)
• Cross-functional team feedback on communication clarity and collaboration
• Adherence to QA standards and reduction in post-installation defects

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent work experience accepted.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in a technical project management role within experiential, retail, hardware, software, or systems integration environments.

Technical Knowledge:

• Strong foundation in both hardware and software systems with ability to engage in deep technical discussions
• Prior experience with LED systems, digital signage, and retail technology highly preferred
• Familiarity with wiring schematics, integration maps, and technology BOMs
• Hands-on technical aptitude (e.g., PC building, coding, home networking, video editing, or interactive technology tinkering)

Program Management Skills:

• Proven track record managing large, multi-stakeholder programs with competing priorities
• Experience developing and maintaining technical documentation, QA processes, and installation standards
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies

Communication & Leadership:

• Exceptional communication and leadership presence with demonstrated client-facing skills
• Ability to translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences
• Experience presenting to executive-level stakeholders

Other Requirements:

• Ability to travel approximately 30% of the time (domestic and international, including China)
• Availability for weekly calls with teams in China across time zones

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Strategic & Innovative Thinker: Approaches problems with a forward-thinking mindset, comfortable owning high-impact decisions and operating with autonomy in ambiguous situations.
• Exceptional Communicator: Able to simplify technical complexity for any audience—from engineers to C-suite executives—with clarity, confidence, and precision.
• Trust Builder: Earns credibility through deep preparation, technical intelligence, and consistent execution. Develops high-trust relationships with clients, vendors, and internal teams alike.
• Relentless Problem Solver: Thrives under pressure with a track record of delivering results. Approaches obstacles with a solutions-oriented mindset and never leaves an issue unresolved.
• Collaborative Influencer: Skilled at guiding cross-functional decisions and rallying diverse teams behind a shared goal without formal authority.
• Passionate About Retail Technology: Genuinely energized by leveraging technology to create best-in-class customer experiences in physical retail environments.
• Highly Organized & Detail-Oriented: Consistently meets deadlines, maintains rigorous documentation standards, and keeps complex programs on track simultaneously.
• Self-Driven & Proactive: Takes initiative without being prompted, anticipates needs before they arise, and is energized by building what doesn’t yet exist.
• Positive Can-Do Attitude: Willing to jump in wherever and whenever needed, bringing energy and optimism to a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Working conditions are in a normal office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, and stand, using hands to handle, finger, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Occasionally, the employee must crouch or kneel. The employee must occasionally exert or lift up to 20 pounds. Successful performance requires good eyesight with or without corrective lenses. Requires long periods of time working at a computer and includes phone work. Travel up to 30% of the time is required and is an essential function of this position.

DISCLAIMER

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.