Program Manager II

Overview

Commercial Program Management (CPM) team serves as the central function leading strategic execution, portfolio management, and strategic program leadership to empower commercial teams in delivering measurable business impact. We drive cross-functional collaboration, governance, and scalable execution across commercial programs, Instacart Marketplace, Retailer.com, in-store initiatives, strategic partnerships, and business-driving innovation. As the commercial landscape evolves, we will continue to expand our influence and operational planning, ensuring scalable, data-driven, and strategic execution for business growth solutions that support Instacart’s long-term business success.

The Commercial Program Management team’s mission is to drive value for the Commercial org by:

• Leading strategic execution and portfolio management to drive measurable impact across Instacart’s commercial programs. 
•  Establishing, operationalizing, and strategically executing a structured portfolio management approach to optimize commercial initiatives, enhance cross-functional alignment, and drive strategic execution of business priorities. 
• Through effective governance, prioritization, and scalable program management, we empower Instacart’s commercial organization to unlock new opportunities, accelerate growth, and streamline execution across a cohesive portfolio of strategic initiatives.

About the Job

The Commercial Program Management team is looking for a Program Manager II team, supporting key initiatives across Commercial teams. This role sits at the intersection of strategy and execution, partnering closely with Ads Product, Brand Partnerships, Eversight, Measurement Science, Retail, Strategic Partnerships, Finance, and Engineering to drive cross-functional programs from concept through launch and scale.

You will play a critical role in bringing structure to complex initiatives, ensuring alignment across teams, and helping translate business priorities into effective execution.

What You’ll Do

Support Systems-Level Programs: Project & Program Management

• Contribute to programs that span multiple systems, including:
• Developing of project plan and documentation as well as supporting cross functional work streams to ensure success of key business objectives
• Flagging risk identification, dependency tracking, issue identification and change management on projects and programs
• Utilizing AI tools, especially Claude and Gemini, and having a strong understanding on how to apply them to program management workflows, including synthesis, documentation, intake triage, stakeholder communications, and scalable process design.
• AI-Driven Process Design & Scale: have the ability to design and scale programs using AI tools to reduce manual work, improve consistency, and increase speed to execution 
• Help identify and escalate issues across systems where ownership is distributed
• Drive cross-functional program accountability on behalf of Brand Partnerships and other commercial teams, ensuring critical deliverables are clearly owned, prioritized, and executed against business outcomes
• Support automation development of:
• Knowledge management resources
• Issue tracking and escalation workflows
• Documentation and process standardization
• Track program health, risks, and dependencies
• Ensure stakeholders have clear updates and visibility into progress
• Proactively surface blockers and support resolution
• Own the design, and continuous improvement of process & programs to support commercial goals
• Drive alignment with cross-functional team OKRs, roadmaps and prioritizations

Support GTM Strategy & Execution

• Assist in planning and executing go-to-market strategies for product launches and partnerships 
• Track launch readiness, dependencies, and key milestones
• Partner with Brand Partnerships and Enablement teams to support execution in-market
• Create automation workflows that foster visibility across teams

Bring Structure to Ambiguity & Enable Scalable Execution

• Help identify gaps in process, ownership, and alignment
• Contribute to building frameworks, trackers, and operating rhythms
• Support prioritization and coordination across multiple workstreams
• Support development of repeatable processes, templates, and tools
• Help streamline workflows and reduce manual effort
• Contribute to improving how teams collaborate and execute

Cross-functional collaboration & leadership

• Ability to work cross-functionally with many teams and multi-tasks with a sense of urgency
• Identifying and pulling together cross-functional teams necessary to successfully launch projects & programs
• Work with cross-functional stakeholders to understand key pain points and opportunities when brought into a project or program
• Support end-to-end execution of high-impact initiatives across Commercial teams, Eversight and Brand Partnerships
• Translate business goals into clear timelines, deliverables, and execution plans
• Coordinate across cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and progress

About You

• AI-Enabled Executor: You are organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple workstreams effectively while leveraging AI tools to improve speed, quality, documentation, and follow-through. You leverage tools like Claude AI and Gemini to build repeatable workflows, automate intake and triage, generate documentation, and create scalable operating models that enable teams to execute more efficiently across multiple programs.
• Resourceful Problem Solver: You thrive in both structured and unstructured environments, using sound judgment, creativity, and AI-enabled workflows to bring clarity to complex work.
• Comfortable with Ambiguity: You can operate in evolving environments, synthesize complex inputs, and turn unclear needs into structured plans and actionable outcomes.
• Portfolio Thinker: You are able to zoom out across programs to identify tradeoffs, capacity constraints, and prioritization opportunities, helping teams focus on the highest-impact work.
• Ownership Mentality: You take end-to-end ownership of programs and outcomes, proactively driving progress rather than waiting for direction.
• Collaborative Influencer: You can indirectly influence cross-functional partners without direct reporting lines, driving alignment, accountability, and forward momentum.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of experience in program management, operations, consulting, or related roles
• Demonstrate AI fluency using LLMs and/or automation platforms to streamline workflows and improve program efficiency
• Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience keeping stakeholders informed and aligned
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to translate complex technical and operational problems into clear, actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders
• Strong decision-framing skills, including the ability to surface tradeoffs and guide teams toward alignment
• Proven ability to build relationships, manage conflict, and influence cross-functional partners without direct authority
• Track record of improving processes, solving problems, and building scalable systems that reduce friction
• Strong program and project management toolkit, with ability to apply best practices based on program needs
• Critical thinking skills, with ability to identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities across programs
• Ability to manage competing priorities, communicate tradeoffs, and focus on highest-impact work
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect program execution to revenue, customer outcomes, and business goals
• Experience leading through change and helping teams adopt new processes, tools, and ways of working

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive AI experience with workflow automation, code and skills
• Strong experience in Ads, commercial marketplaces, or tech platforms
• Experience managing GTM launches or revenue-driving programs
• Experience working with data, product, or operational systems
• Familiarity with building process designs, documentation, or workflows

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