Sr Manager, Program Manager
Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about the largest program you have led with multiple project teams. How did you keep it on time and budget?
What they are checking: Whether they have really managed complex, multi-team programs rather than single projects.
Tell me about a time two business stakeholders wanted conflicting things from your program.
What they are checking: Whether they can resolve conflicts between powerful stakeholders and keep the program moving.
How do you lead project managers who report to you so they grow and take ownership?
What they are checking: Whether they can manage and develop a group, not just run projects themselves.
What would you do
How do you report program status to top management so they get the real picture?
What they are checking: Whether they report honestly and clearly, including bad news, rather than showing everything as green.
A critical project in your program is slipping, and the date cannot move. What are your options?
What they are checking: Whether they know the levers of scope, resources and sequencing and can present trade-offs clearly.
How do you decide when to stop or reshape a project that is not delivering value?
What they are checking: Whether they have the judgment and courage to recommend stopping work rather than finishing it out of habit.
About the work
How do you make sure projects in your program follow the corporate architecture standards?
What they are checking: Whether they understand architecture governance, which the posting includes in this role.
How do you measure whether a program delivered the business results it promised, not just the features?
What they are checking: Whether they track outcomes, which the posting calls demonstrated results.
How do you manage dependencies between projects owned by different teams?
What they are checking: Whether they track and actively manage cross-team dependencies, a common cause of program failure.
How do you manage program budgets and forecast costs as plans change?
What they are checking: Whether they keep financial control over complex work and flag overruns early.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Northern Trust.