Program Manager II

Other Jobs To Apply

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>We're transforming the grocery industry</strong></p> <p><span class="im">At Instacart, we invite the world to share love through food because we believe everyone should have access to the food they love and more time to enjoy it together. Where others see a simple need for grocery delivery, we see exciting complexity and endless opportunity to serve the varied needs of our community. We work to deliver an essential service that customers rely on to get their groceries and household goods, while also offering safe and flexible earnings opportunities to Instacart Personal Shoppers.</span></p> <p>Instacart has become a lifeline for millions of people, and we’re building the team to help push our shopping cart forward. If you’re ready to do the best work of your life, come join our table.</p> <p><strong>Instacart is a Flex First team </strong></p> <p>There’s no one-size fits all approach to how we do our best work. Our employees have the flexibility to choose where they do their best work—whether it’s from home, an office, or your favorite coffee shop—while staying connected and building community through regular in-person events. <a href="https://www.instacart.careers/flex-first" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://instacart.careers/remote/&source=gmail&ust=1651869232122000&usg=AOvVaw37OlxP8hAKN7nq4YwHQH7e">Learn more about our flexible approach to where we work.</a></p></div><h2><strong>Overview</strong></h2> <p>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.</p> <p>The Commercial Program Management team’s mission is to drive value for the Commercial org by:</p> <ul> <li>Leading strategic execution and portfolio management to drive measurable impact across Instacart’s commercial programs. </li> <li> 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. </li> <li>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.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <h2><strong>About the Job</strong></h2> <p>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.</p> <p>You will play a critical role in bringing structure to complex initiatives, ensuring alignment across teams, and helping translate business priorities into effective execution.</p> <p>What You’ll Do</p> <p>Support Systems-Level Programs: Project & Program Management</p> <ul> <li>Contribute to programs that span multiple systems, including:</li> <ul> <li>Developing of project plan and documentation as well as supporting cross functional work streams to ensure success of key business objectives</li> <li>Flagging risk identification, dependency tracking, issue identification and change management on projects and programs</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> <li>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 </li> <li>Help identify and escalate issues across systems where ownership is distributed</li> <li>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</li> <li>Support automation development of:</li> <ul> <li>Knowledge management resources</li> <li>Issue tracking and escalation workflows</li> <li>Documentation and process standardization</li> </ul> <li>Track program health, risks, and dependencies</li> <li>Ensure stakeholders have clear updates and visibility into progress</li> <li>Proactively surface blockers and support resolution</li> <li>Own the design, and continuous improvement of process & programs to support commercial goals</li> <li>Drive alignment with cross-functional team OKRs, roadmaps and prioritizations</li> </ul> <p>Support GTM Strategy & Execution</p> <ul> <li>Assist in planning and executing go-to-market strategies for product launches and partnerships </li> <li>Track launch readiness, dependencies, and key milestones</li> <li>Partner with Brand Partnerships and Enablement teams to support execution in-market</li> <li>Create automation workflows that foster visibility across teams</li> </ul> <p>Bring Structure to Ambiguity & Enable Scalable Execution</p> <ul> <li>Help identify gaps in process, ownership, and alignment</li> <li>Contribute to building frameworks, trackers, and operating rhythms</li> <li>Support prioritization and coordination across multiple workstreams</li> <li>Support development of repeatable processes, templates, and tools</li> <li>Help streamline workflows and reduce manual effort</li> <li>Contribute to improving how teams collaborate and execute</li> </ul> <p>Cross-functional collaboration & leadership</p> <ul> <li>Ability to work cross-functionally with many teams and multi-tasks with a sense of urgency</li> <li>Identifying and pulling together cross-functional teams necessary to successfully launch projects & programs</li> <li>Work with cross-functional stakeholders to understand key pain points and opportunities when brought into a project or program</li> <li>Support end-to-end execution of high-impact initiatives across Commercial teams, Eversight and Brand Partnerships</li> <li>Translate business goals into clear timelines, deliverables, and execution plans</li> <li>Coordinate across cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and progress</li> </ul> <p> </p> <h2><strong>About You</strong></h2> <ul> <li><strong>AI-Enabled Executor:</strong> 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.</li> <li><strong>Resourceful Problem Solver:</strong> You thrive in both structured and unstructured environments, using sound judgment, creativity, and AI-enabled workflows to bring clarity to complex work.</li> <li><strong>Comfortable with Ambiguity:</strong> You can operate in evolving environments, synthesize complex inputs, and turn unclear needs into structured plans and actionable outcomes.</li> <li><strong>Portfolio Thinker:</strong> You are able to zoom out across programs to identify tradeoffs, capacity constraints, and prioritization opportunities, helping teams focus on the highest-impact work.</li> <li><strong>Ownership Mentality:</strong> You take end-to-end ownership of programs and outcomes, proactively driving progress rather than waiting for direction.</li> <li><strong>Collaborative Influencer:</strong> You can indirectly influence cross-functional partners without direct reporting lines, driving alignment, accountability, and forward momentum.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Minimum Qualifications</strong></h3> <ul> <li>5–7+ years of experience in program management, operations, consulting, or related roles</li> <li>Demonstrate AI fluency using LLMs and/or automation platforms to streamline workflows and improve program efficiency</li> <li>Experience supporting cross-functional initiatives</li> <li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience keeping stakeholders informed and aligned</li> <li>Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment</li> <li>Ability to translate complex technical and operational problems into clear, actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders</li> <li>Strong decision-framing skills, including the ability to surface tradeoffs and guide teams toward alignment</li> <li>Proven ability to build relationships, manage conflict, and influence cross-functional partners without direct authority</li> <li>Track record of improving processes, solving problems, and building scalable systems that reduce friction</li> <li>Strong program and project management toolkit, with ability to apply best practices based on program needs</li> <li>Critical thinking skills, with ability to identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities across programs</li> <li>Ability to manage competing priorities, communicate tradeoffs, and focus on highest-impact work</li> <li>Strong business acumen and ability to connect program execution to revenue, customer outcomes, and business goals</li> <li>Experience leading through change and helping teams adopt new processes, tools, and ways of working</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Preferred Qualifications</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Extensive AI experience with workflow automation, code and skills</li> <li>Strong experience in Ads, commercial marketplaces, or tech platforms</li> <li>Experience managing GTM launches or revenue-driving programs</li> <li>Experience working with data, product, or operational systems</li> <li>Familiarity with building process designs, documentation, or workflows</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>#LI-Remote</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>Instacart provides highly market-competitive compensation and benefits in each location where our employees work. This role is remote and the base pay range for a successful candidate is dependent on their permanent work location. Please review our Flex First remote work policy <a href="https://instacart.careers/flex-first/">here</a>. Currently, we are only hiring in the following provinces: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia.</p> <p>Offers may vary based on many factors, such as candidate experience and skills required for the role. Additionally, this role is eligible for a new hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants. Please read more about our benefits offerings <a href="https://instacart.careers/taste-of-instacart/">here</a>.</p> <p>For Canadian based candidates, the base pay ranges for a successful candidate are listed below.</p></div><div class="title">CAN</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$120,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$126,500 CAD</span></div></div></div>

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...