Program Director, Standards

The world runs on open source, and projects need more than a version or source control system to scale. The Linux Foundation has evolved a proven methodology to transform projects into category leaders. LFX operationalizes this approach, providing a suite of tools built to facilitate every aspect of open source development. Critical projects must have their finger on the pulse of their entire developer ecosystem, with tools tailored to key stakeholders driving project development, including maintainers, contributors, community managers, marketers, and more.

Role overview

The Linux Foundation’s Standards and Specifications team is looking for a Director of Program Management to guide and support the growth and success of its projects. Cultivating and nurturing relationships with community members and colleagues, you’ll bring best-in-class project management practices, outcome-oriented focus, and high-value leadership support to some of the most critical areas of technology and innovation. 

This role bridges strategic thinking with operational execution. Working with your peers and cross-functionally, you’ll bring:

Strategic Input:

• Help develop key projects, roadmaps, and other deliverables based on their goals as a strategic partner to Executive Directors, Chairpersons, and project Leadership.
• Synthesize common themes from the Projects’ governing bodies and Membership, translating them into operational, results-driven plans that drive forward momentum as well as continuous improvement.   
• Advise and drive adoption of best practices for open source and open standards development, particularly as it pertains to leveraging modern tools and policies.
• Consult with peers and executive leadership on policy matters ranging from internal procedures to public policy, such as the EU’s CRA legislation.
• Help build and re-enforce a healthy, supportive, collaborative culture among program managers, project coordinators, Members and community leaders of LF’s Standards and Specifications projects.
• Anticipate, understand, and execute on strategic opportunities critical for the LF’s Standards and Specifications team. 
• Review and interpret project health, membership and contribution data, and convert it into actionable insights and opportunities for projects.

Operational Excellence: 

• Be the Glue — serve the team as a center of activity and communication, ensuring forward, timely progress on strategic goals through increased communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Fill the Gaps — step in to plug holes on the team or in a key project area and help find sustainable long-term solutions, such as during a new project launch or growth period, and help projects leverage all the tools and resources at their disposal.
• Be the Partner – be a mentor and educator where needed; for example providing contextual background information for new hires, serving as subject matter expert on standardization, and escalating issues that require executive resolution.
• Be the Product Owner — work closely with your teammates at the LF to ensure that we are building and delivering the best tools and experiences for our project communities, members, and partners.

• 7 or more years proven experience in a similar role  
• Experience working with standards developing organizations, industry/trade consortia or associations, and/or other multi-party technology development projects
• Experience working cross functionally with multiple stakeholders, inside and outside the organization, to bring people into shared alignment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with technical projects, either as an engineer, software developer, project manager, in the community or otherwise a plus    
• Ability to address complex and sensitive community topics with humility, judgment, tact and humor when necessary.
• Familiarity with leading open technology ecosystem players and technologies, and/or areas on the Critical and Emerging Technologies List
• Knowledge of key policy and other issues currently facing open standards and/or open source projects
• The ability to work globally, including the ability to take occasional pre-scheduled teleconference calls outside of local business hours.

Preferred

• Experience working with a distributed workforce and community, with an emphasis on async communication and collaboration
• Proficiency with developer tools such as DevSecOps platforms and intimate knowledge of the software development lifecycle.
• Ability to support projects working in EU timezones
• Experience working in a consultative environment, professional services, and/or Business background a plus

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The Linux Foundation is creating the greatest shared technology investment in history by enabling open source collaboration across companies, developers, and users. We are the organization of choice to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption.

Salary: $100,000-$170,000 USD

The Linux Foundation is an all-remote workforce that hires world-class talent.  We are as passionate about providing a flexible and supportive work culture as we are about open-source software. Collaboration is in our DNA, and we pride ourselves on being able to work closely together while not being tied to an office. We offer exceptional benefits - e.g., top of the line healthcare plans paid by the employer, unlimited PTO, and 100% 401k match up to the IRS-defined limit per year.

The Linux Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.