Staff Technical Program Manager, Security

Okta Okta · Enterprise · Toronto, ON · Security-770

Okta is seeking a Staff Technical Program Manager to support the Cyber Defense team, focusing on driving large-scale security projects to protect Okta and its customers in the context of AI adoption. The role involves partnering with Cyber Defense Operations and Engineering teams to design, build, and enhance security capabilities, requiring strong leadership, program management, and communication skills in a fast-paced, cloud-native environment.

What you'd actually do

  1. Manage large scale, complex initiatives across multiple teams; taking a hands-on and proactive approach to manage dependencies, unblock progress, define timelines, communicate commitments, and introduce efficiencies
  2. Operate with a high degree of autonomy and discretion, defining the path forward for complex technical and operational challenges with minimal guidance
  3. Unify and drive effective teamwork, communication, collaboration, and commitments across multiple disparate groups with competing priorities
  4. Anticipate and mitigate risks by having close involvement with team goals and challenges, applying past experience, and keeping the big picture in mind
  5. Lead the introduction of new processes and improvements to mature Cyber Defense capabilities and improve operational efficiency

Skills

Required

  • technical program management
  • cybersecurity
  • managing technical programs
  • cloud-native environment
  • leadership
  • ownership
  • autonomy
  • executive communication
  • translating complex technical challenges into clear, actionable plans
  • Jira
  • Confluence
  • analytical skills
  • problem-solving skills
  • communication skills
  • collaboration skills
  • influencing stakeholders
  • risk mitigation
  • process improvement

Nice to have

  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
  • Program Management Professional (PMP)
  • CISSP
  • CISM
  • security engineering
  • security operations
  • incident response
  • Okta's products and services

What the JD emphasized

  • real-world stakes
  • relentless drive
  • builders and owners
  • speed and urgency
  • execute with excellence
  • career-defining work
  • all in on this mission
  • critical role
  • exceptional leadership skills
  • ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels
  • drive effective teamwork
  • resolve conflict
  • negotiate priorities
  • foster a culture of shared commitment
  • extensive experience in cybersecurity
  • proven track record of managing technical programs
  • fast-paced, cloud-native environment
  • strong leadership
  • ownership and autonomy
  • executive communication skills
  • translate complex technical challenges into clear, actionable plans
  • Minimum REQUIRED Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • 5+ years of experience in technical program management
  • at least 3 years focused on cybersecurity
  • Demonstrated ability to create structure and clarity from ambiguous, high-level directives
  • translating them into concrete and actionable roadmaps
  • Extensive working experience with security or engineering teams
  • Working knowledge of technical terms and concepts used in information security, privacy, risk and contingency planning
  • Exceptional communication and collaboration skills
  • ability to influence and align stakeholders across all levels
  • Experience working with Atlassian products, specifically Jira and Confluence
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • think-out-of-the-box
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Able to work independently and as part of a distributed, global team