Sr. Program Manager – Quality & Testing in Portland, Oregon - #72120 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 72120

Senior Program Manager – Quality & Testing
Our client is seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Program Manager – Quality & Testing to lead quality assurance efforts across a large, complex portfolio of initiatives. This individual will bridge technical and business teams, drive end-to-end testing strategy, and ensure consistent quality outcomes through strong program leadership, governance, and data-driven insights. The ideal candidate brings deep testing expertise paired with program management experience, and thrives in aligning cross-functional teams toward a unified quality vision.

This role is fully remote. Occasional travel is required.

Senior Program Manager Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end quality and testing strategy across multiple interrelated projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technical standards.
• Act as the primary liaison between business and IT teams, translating risks, validating real-world scenarios, and driving joint accountability for quality outcomes.
• Oversee and coordinate all phases of testing, including unit, integration, system, UAT, and end-to-end testing, ensuring cohesive execution across teams.
• Establish, track, and report on quality metrics, providing clear insights into program health and supporting go/no-go decisions at key milestones.
• Manage testing timelines, dependencies, and resource alignment across a complex program landscape using structured project management practices.
• Define and enforce testing standards, entry/exit criteria, and governance processes to ensure consistency and scalability across initiatives.
• Oversee defect management lifecycle, ensuring timely identification, prioritization, and resolution of issues.
• Partner with QA leads, PMO teams, and business stakeholders to align testing approaches and drive unified execution across parallel workstreams.
• Facilitate communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders, escalating risks and ensuring transparency throughout the program lifecycle.
• Mentor and guide team members on best practices in testing methodologies, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.

Senior Program Manager Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience leading quality assurance and testing efforts within complex, enterprise-level programs.
• Proven ability to manage both program delivery and QA/testing functions simultaneously in fast-paced environments.
• Strong expertise across the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and all testing phases, including QA, SIT, UAT, and performance testing.
• Experience developing and optimizing test strategies, frameworks, and governance models across multiple teams or programs.
• Proficiency with project management and testing tools (e.g., Jira, test management platforms) and familiarity with defect tracking systems.
• Demonstrated ability to define, analyze, and report on quality metrics; experience building dashboards is a plus.
• Working knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, automation frameworks, and version control systems (e.g., Git, SVN).
• Experience working within Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery models.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience; certifications such as PMP, ISTQB, or similar are preferred.

Compensation: (DOE)

VanderHouwen Contractors Enjoy Exceptional Benefit Perks!
As an eligible contract employee with VanderHouwen, you’ll have access to a full suite of benefits designed with your well-being in mind. Our comprehensive package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and a matching 401(k) to help secure your future.

Meet VanderHouwen
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VanderHouwen is an award-winning, Women & Diversity-Owned, WBENC certified professional staffing firm. Founded in 1987, VanderHouwen places experienced professionals across the nation! Our recruitment teams specialize in either Technology and IT, Engineering, Human Resources, or Accounting and Finance career markets. Partner with us to land your next exciting career!

VanderHouwen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. VanderHouwen does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal civil rights laws.

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