Digital Program Manager

Job Summary

The Digital Program Manager sits at the intersection of physical fixture development and digital technology, managing the full lifecycle of retail display programs that combine traditional manufacturing, including custom fixtures built with Outform's manufacturing partners in China, with LED displays, interactive technology, and software-driven content.

Compensation

$90,000 to $120,000 annually

Scope & Accountability

The Digital Program Manager works across Outform's active digital program portfolio, shifting focus based on where programs are most active, a program deep in production receives more attention than one in steady state. The role carries accountability for program outcomes from pre-sale scoping through go-live and early stabilization and serves as the point person when something goes wrong in the field. Beyond individual program execution, this role is accountable for spotting patterns across programs that need attention: vendor reliability issues, quality problems, and recurring client concerns, and for helping build the operational foundation (documentation, standards, and processes) that allows the digital program portfolio to scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day execution across active programs, working across engineering, software, hardware, production, and install teams
• Own client communication on program-specific matters — status updates, timeline alignment, and issue resolution — working alongside the account team
• Serve as the point person when something goes wrong in the field during go-live or early stabilization
• Support pre-sale scoping by joining client conversations, documenting requirements, and validating that what is being proposed can be delivered
• Manage fixture development with manufacturing partners in China, from initial concept through prototyping, testing, and production readiness
• Travel to China for factory visits, prototype reviews, first article inspections, and production oversight
• Travel to San Francisco and Chicago offices as needed for project milestones, client meetings, and internal alignment
• Work closely with engineering and vendor teams to translate design requirements into manufacturable solutions, flagging feasibility, material, or timeline issues early
• Participate in prototype evaluations, reviewing builds for fit, finish, assembly, and manufacturability
• Manage vendor communications on development programs: pricing, lead times, production strategies, and quality standards
• Maintain accurate documentation throughout the development cycle: specs, BOMs, prototype evaluations, and engineering changes

Technical Scope

• Understand the full technical stack for each program, both physical and digital: fixture construction and fabrication methods, LED hardware specs, media player configuration, content management systems, network setup, and cabling
• Work with engineering and software teams on technical requirements to ensure what gets specified is what gets built and installed
• Apply knowledge of both fixture development and digital signage to scope programs accurately, troubleshoot issues, and push back when a proposed approach will not work in the field
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and translate them into clear direction for vendors and production teams

Standards & Documentation

• Keep the hardware and component library current: use cases, configuration patterns, install requirements, and known issues for each component in the portfolio
• Build program documentation that gets used: handoff packages, support intake requirements, and escalation paths any team member can pick up and follow
• Track field issues such as recurring installer problems, warranty patterns, scope drift, and feed that information back into how the next program is scoped

Key Interfaces (Non-Reporting)

• Global Engineering - technical requirements, design feasibility, and engineering drawings
• Technology Production - hardware specification, media player configuration, and interactive technology integration
• Production and install teams - production timelines, field installation, and go-live support
• Account and sales teams - client communication, pre-sale scoping, and program alignment
• China operations, sourcing, and manufacturing partners - fixture development, prototyping, first articles, and production oversight
• Clients - program-specific status updates, timeline alignment, and issue resolution

Qualifications

• 2+ years in program or project management in a manufacturing, retail display, or consumer electronics context; experience on both the fixture development and digital/AV side is strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience managing fixture development with manufacturing partners in China, including prototyping, first articles, and production oversight
• Direct experience with LED displays and digital signage programs, including media players, content management systems, and the full technical stack
• Working knowledge of display hardware fundamentals: pixel pitch, brightness, cabling, network connectivity, and field troubleshooting
• Comfortable reading engineering drawings and translating specs into actionable direction for vendors and production teams
• Experience working directly with clients on program execution matters: day-to-day communication, status updates, and issue resolution

Leadership Attributes & Personal Characteristics

• Ownership under pressure: serves as the person who picks up the phone when something goes wrong in the field, staying accountable through go-live and stabilization
• Decisiveness with incomplete information: makes calls without waiting for everything to be perfect, keeping programs moving
• Constructive pushback: willing to challenge a proposed approach when it will not work in the real world, with clients, vendors, or internal teams
• Organizational discipline: documents work well and leaves processes more organized than they were found
• Cross-cultural and cross-functional communication: works effectively across US teams, China-based manufacturing partners, and client organizations