IT Program Manager

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.  

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.  

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.  

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As an IT Program Manager, you will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of cross-functional technology initiatives that support our Enterprise Services teams, including Infrastructure, Information Security & Compliance, Database, and Service Delivery. You will partner closely with internal teams, business stakeholders, and external vendors to organize work within Enterprise Services, and to drive projects from initiation through completion, ensuring high-quality objectives are delivered within time and budget constraints.

In this role, you will establish clear project plans, manage risks and dependencies, track progress against milestones, and communicate status to stakeholders at all levels of the organization. You will bring structure, visibility, and accountability to complex initiatives while helping teams stay aligned on priorities and outcomes. This role is critical to enabling successful project delivery, supporting operational excellence, and driving value across the organization.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK 

Preference will be given to candidates who can work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS office location. Remote candidates will be considered within the United States.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify critical business needs and translate them into project initiatives
• Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all projects in the program, including their status, budget, milestones, and dependencies.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of cross-functional IT projects from initiation through completion.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource needs.
• Coordinate internal teams and external vendors to ensure alignment on scope, priorities, and deliverables.
• Track and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies to minimize delivery impacts.
• Facilitate program and project meetings and provide clear status reporting to stakeholders and leadership.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with business objectives.
• Support implementation readiness, change management, and handoff to operational teams.
• Recommend and apply improvements to project management processes and governance.
• Facilitate and support team and program processes for efficiency and value outcomes.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree in project management, business administration, or equivalent experience preferred.
• 7+ years’ experience in program and project management within the IT function
• Prior experience managing software development lifecycles, cloud migrations, and/or IT infrastructure preferred
• Understanding of multiple process methodologies, including Agile and Scaled Agile (SAFe) experience
• Experience with using AI tools to gain efficiencies and drive speed to market preferred
• Certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP) or Six Sigma highly desirable
• Strong knowledge and understanding of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience creating project budgets and assessing projects/programs financial data

BENEFITS 

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging 

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.  

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.