Program Manager IV, Impact Spending and Sustainability

Overview: The Sustainability Program Manager reports to the Director of Sustainability and coordinates Kaiser Permanente’s sustainable procurement efforts to achieve emissions reduction and Net Zero commitments. This role involves developing and executing a supply chain emissions-reduction strategy, engaging suppliers to drive Scope 3 emissions reductions, and managing pilot projects. The manager will also develop project plans and tools to track progress, advise on sustainable procurement standards, and participate in cross-functional teams. Additionally, they will identify opportunities to improve sustainability performance and provide subject matter expertise4

Job Summary:

Manages medium-to-large scale programs or components with multiple workstreams and strategic business goals across departments, functions, or regions with responsibility and accountability for achieving program outcomes from initiation to close-out in an extended or open-ended time frame. Leads the work of program teams by coordinating and monitoring internal and/or external resources. Proactively monitors and identifies program risks, issues, and trigger events by developing mitigation plans and strategies. Monitors compliance of program activities by ensuring program plans and team members adhere to relevant policies and procedures. Ensures the alignment, buy-in, coordination, and support of diverse program stakeholders. Assists with reviews of vendor performance levels, ensures service level agreements are met, and assists with contract negotiations with vendors.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Promotes learning in others by proactively providing and/or developing information, resources, advice, and expertise with coworkers and members; builds relationships with cross-functional/external stakeholders and customers. Listens to, seeks, and addresses performance feedback; proactively provides actionable feedback to others and to managers. Pursues self-development; creates and executes plans to capitalize on strengths and develop weaknesses; leads by influencing others through technical explanations and examples and provides options and recommendations. Adopts new responsibilities; adapts to and learns from change, challenges, and feedback; demonstrates flexibility in approaches to work; champions change and helps others adapt to new tasks and processes. Facilitates team collaboration to support a business outcome.


• Completes work assignments autonomously and supports business-specific projects by applying expertise in subject area and business knowledge to generate creative solutions; encourages team members to adapt to and follow all procedures and policies. Collaborates cross-functionally and/or externally to achieve effective business decisions; provides recommendations and solves complex problems; escalates high-priority issues or risks, as appropriate; monitors progress and results. Supports the development of work plans to meet business priorities and deadlines; identifies resources to accomplish priorities and deadlines. Identifies, speaks up, and capitalizes on improvement opportunities across teams; uses influence to guide others and engages stakeholders to achieve appropriate solutions.


• Manages medium-to-large-scale programs or components with multiple workstreams and strategic business goals across departments, functions, or regions with responsibility and accountability for achieving program outcomes from initiation to close-out in an extended or open ended time frame. Develops, analyzes, and manages increasingly complex program plans which include scope identification and management, schedule, inter-dependencies, and resource forecast. Manages and monitors program financials for medium-to-large-scale programs. Monitors program performance to ensure programs effectively deliver maximum long term value or benefit to the organization, and makes adjustments as needed in an uncertain environment where scope may be fluid. Manages program activities related to organizational change management (e.g., development and execution of user adoption, implementation, and training plans) as defined by the program. Drives allocation of resources, establishes schedules, and task assignments to ensure established program management practices are in place. This role may perform project management duties in addition to program management responsibilities.


• Leads the work of program team members. Requests and coordinates internal and/ or external resources based on the alignment of team member skills and program demands. Promotes program vision and objectives with program team.


• Proactively monitors and identifies program risks, issues, and trigger events by developing mitigation plans and strategies; and resolving or escalating risks or issues as appropriate.


• Monitors adherence of program activities to policies and procedures by ensuring program plans and team members follow KP, departmental, and/or business line policies and procedures.


• Ensures the alignment, buy-in, and coordination of diverse program stakeholders by building rapport with stakeholder teams, third party vendors, and senior management; and clarifying accountability and authority across stakeholders. Identifies and works closely with stakeholders, ensuring all appropriate stakeholders are represented and included. Provides insight to key stakeholders and program sponsors by developing program goals, setting the prioritization of deliverables, discussing involvement of business processes (e.g. program change management, communication) and facilitating decisions necessary for program delivery. Communicates tough issues to stakeholders while maintaining an independent opinion, providing recommendations, delivering presentations, and providing reports to various senior audiences. Engages with senior stakeholders to identify long term value to the organization and define success.


• Assists with reviews of vendor performance levels and ensures service level agreements are met. Partners with Procurement and/or Legal to develop service level and/or scope of work agreements as appropriate. Assists with contract negotiations with vendors and reviews program invoices submitted by vendors for accuracy.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum one (1) years experience in a leadership role with or without direct reports.


• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and minimum five (5) years experience in project management or a directly related field, including minimum two (2) years program management experience OR Minimum eight (8) years experience in project management or a directly related field, including minimum two (2) years program management experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Change Management; Negotiation; Applied Data Analysis; Financial Acumen; Conflict Resolution; Managing Diverse Relationships; Project Management; Project Management Tools; Risk Assessment; Quality Assurance Process; Service Focus; Strategic Program Management