Staff Technical Program Manager- Unity Catalog

Databricks Databricks · Data AI · San Francisco, CA · Engineering - Pipeline

This role is for a Staff Technical Program Manager at Databricks, focusing on platform and product experiences. The TPM will lead complex, high-visibility programs, align senior stakeholders, and build operating models for company-wide execution. The role involves owning the delivery of important initiatives, influencing roadmap decisions, driving cross-organizational execution, and ensuring successful product launches and customer adoption, particularly in areas unifying data, AI, and governance capabilities.

What you'd actually do

  1. End-to-End Program Leadership: Own complex, cross-functional programs from initial scoping through launch and adoption. Define program structure, drive execution, and hold teams accountable to clear outcomes.
  2. Cross-Organizational Alignment: Align engineering, product, design, field, legal, and marketing around a shared plan. Manage dependencies, resolve conflicts, and keep execution on track.
  3. Product Launch & Enterprise Adoption: Partner with field teams, solutions architects, and customer success to drive successful launches. Build early access programs, capture customer feedback, and translate it into execution priorities.
  4. Operational Excellence: Identify where the organization is losing speed, design scalable processes, and drive adoption across teams. Build systems that outlast individual programs.
  5. Executive Communication: Own communication with senior leadership. Provide clear updates, highlight risks, and enable fast, well-informed decision-making.

Skills

Required

  • leading large-scale, cross-functional programs in enterprise software or B2B technology
  • delivering end-to-end product launches across multiple geographies and functions
  • bringing structure to ambiguous, fast-moving environments
  • influencing roadmap and prioritization
  • communication skills with VP and C-level stakeholders
  • building scalable processes and operating models
  • risk management
  • stakeholder alignment
  • defining and tracking success metrics

Nice to have

  • cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • data platforms, governance systems, or developer-facing products
  • Databricks or similar large-scale data ecosystems
  • scaling both 0→1 programs and mature systems
  • advanced degree in a technical field
  • SQL or dashboards

What the JD emphasized

  • 10+ years leading large-scale, cross-functional programs in enterprise software or B2B technology
  • Proven experience delivering end-to-end product launches across multiple geographies and functions
  • Demonstrated ability to bring structure to ambiguous, fast-moving environments
  • Experience influencing roadmap and prioritization, not just delivery
  • Credibility with both engineers and executives; strong communication skills with VP and C-level stakeholders
  • Track record of building scalable processes and operating models
  • Strong instincts for risk management, escalation, and stakeholder alignment
  • Experience defining and tracking success metrics; familiarity with SQL or dashboards is a plus
  • Experience operating with high autonomy and ownership in ambiguous, high-stakes environments