📋Program Manager

Position Overview

Tesla is seeking a Program Manager to own the cross-department coordination required to deliver complex, multi-workstream outcomes.

This role is the organization’s execution integrator. You will connect teams, align priorities, run the operating cadence, and make sure programs deliver the intended outcomes, not just activity.

You will partner closely with the COO, who acts as executive liaison and strategic sponsor. You own the day-to-day program mechanics, cross-team alignment, and delivery discipline.

Reporting line and scope

• Reports to: COO
• Partners with: Department leads across Engineering, Product, Operations, Finance, Legal, Support, and any relevant functions
• Scope: Multiple related projects and workstreams that roll up to a single outcome

Outcomes (What “great” looks like)

• Cross-team priorities are clear, documented, and stable week to week.
• Dependencies are surfaced early, owned, and resolved without drama.
• Status is trustworthy. Executives can make decisions quickly because information is clean.
• Teams spend less time in coordination overhead and more time shipping.
• Major initiatives land with operational readiness, not just a release.

Key Responsibilities

Program governance and operating cadence

• Establish the governance model for each program: decision rights, stage gates, escalation paths, and stakeholder map
• Run the weekly operating rhythm: planning, dependency review, risk review, and executive readouts
• Maintain the program decision log and ensure decisions are captured, dated, and communicated

Integrated planning and roadmap

• Build and maintain an integrated program roadmap with milestones, owners, and critical path
• Coordinate sequencing across departments and ensure handoffs are explicit
• Translate strategy and constraints from the COO into executable plans

Dependency, risk, and issue management (RAID)

• Maintain a program-level RAID log: Risks, Actions, Issues, Dependencies
• Drive mitigation plans with owners, dates, and success criteria
• Escalate early when decisions or resources are required

Stakeholder management and communication

• Create simple, consistent status reporting that highlights outcomes, risks, and asks
• Run steering committee meetings and ensure meetings result in decisions and next actions
• Reduce noise by standardizing how updates, blockers, and escalations are communicated

Delivery discipline and quality of execution

• Define “Definition of Done” at the program level: what must be true for the program to be considered delivered
• Ensure teams align on scope boundaries and success metrics
• Identify coordination bottlenecks and remove them through process, tooling, or decision clarity

Typical Deliverables

• Program charter (scope, outcomes, success metrics, stakeholders, constraints)
• Integrated roadmap and milestone plan
• RACI and decision rights map
• RAID log and dependency map
• Weekly executive status report (1 page)
• Operational readiness checklist and handoff plan
• Post-implementation review with lessons learned

Required Experience

• 7+ years experience in program management, project management, delivery leadership, or operations leadership in a high-cadence environment
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple teams or workstreams toward one outcome
• Strong structured thinking: can turn ambiguity into clear plans, clear owners, and clear timelines
• Clear writing and executive communication skills
• Comfort working with technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Experience

• Experience in engineering or hardware-adjacent programs (manufacturing, supply chain, QA, reliability, compliance)
• Experience running cross-functional governance in matrix organizations
• Familiarity with Agile delivery models and stage-gated delivery models

Core Skills and Traits

• Systems thinking and prioritization
• Calm escalation and conflict navigation
• Relentless clarity in status, ownership, and next steps
• Bias for simple processes that teams will actually follow
• Strong meeting design: every meeting has a purpose, output, owner, and follow-up

What success looks like in 30 / 60 / 90 days

1. 30 days

• Existing initiatives mapped with owners, milestones, and dependency hotspots
• A weekly cadence live with consistent status reporting and a working RAID log
• Clear escalation path agreed with the COO

2. 60 days

• Cross-team planning stabilizes. Fewer surprises.
• At least one program reaches a major milestone with clean handoff and readiness
• Stakeholders report improved clarity and faster decision cycle time

3. 90 days

• A repeatable program governance system in place and adopted
• Measurable reduction in blocked work due to cross-team dependencies
• Executive readouts are predictable, concise, and decision-oriented

About TZLA

At TZLA Club, our members become superhuman. TZLA is the first self-directed health science club, revolutionizing the concept of healing. We provide our members with a unique science kit that harnesses the power of plasma, and support them to experiment with its miraculous properties. Our team consists of brilliant, disciplined, and positive individuals who are pushing the boundaries of technology beyond conventional limits.

Why Join TZLA?

• Foundational Impact: You will build the growth function from the ground up. Your work will not be a footnote; it will be the blueprint.
• A Culture of Excellence: Work with a disciplined, brilliant team in a high-end environment that rewards initiative and outcomes.
• Live the Mission: Receive a substantial discount on a TZLA Club membership and experience our technology firsthand.
• Global Gatherings: Participate in regular, fully-paid team retreats in exciting destinations.

Next Steps

As a test of attention to detail, please include "VOLUNTARYISMROCKS" in your application's "Briefly describe why you are applying for this position" section. This helps us identify candidates who take the time to read and understand our requirements.

Our goal is to approach each hiring decision methodically, ensuring we identify the right fit for our team. Our process is built on mutual discovery and respect, allowing both sides to assess alignment thoughtfully.

1. Application Review: We meticulously review your materials.
2. Strategic Assessment: Qualified candidates will complete a brief, real-world scenario questionnaire to demonstrate their strategic and technical approach.
3. Screening Interview (60 mins): A deep dive into your experience and a clear look into TZLA's vision and culture.
4. C-Level Interview: A conversation with founders to discuss your unique capabilities, past achievements, and how you elevate team performance. We will cover compensation, vision, and onboarding.