Exploring Program Management in Talent

In this episode, Amir speaks with Tiffany Chandra, Director of People and Talent at Sapphire Ventures, about the intersection of program management and talent acquisition. Tiffany shares her journey into program management, the skills she cultivated, and how program management principles can transform talent functions in organizations of any size. Whether you’re in a small company or a large organization, Tiffany’s insights offer practical ways to enhance recruiting strategies and improve team alignment.

Key Takeaways

• Program Management in Talent: Effective program management aligns multiple recruiting projects under shared goals, ensuring seamless workflows and outcomes.

• Stakeholder Alignment is Foundational: Building strong relationships and setting clear expectations with stakeholders ensures program success.

• Governance and Ownership: Defining clear roles and accountability for team members leads to more efficient talent processes.

• Embracing Ambiguity: Thriving in undefined roles and adapting to challenges fosters creativity and innovation.

• Feedback and Iteration: Actively seeking feedback from cross-functional teams helps refine processes and deliver better outcomes.

• [00:00:00] Introduction: Meet Tiffany Chandra and learn about Sapphire Ventures’ focus on growth-stage companies.

• [00:01:32] Defining Program Management in Talent: How program management differs from project management and applies to recruiting.

• [00:04:15] Stakeholder Alignment: Understanding the needs and priorities of stakeholders to drive results.

• [00:05:22] Governance Structures: Creating accountability and streamlining workflows in recruiting.

• [00:08:27] Recruiters as Project Managers: Why talent teams can benefit from adopting program and project management techniques.

• [00:11:31] Setting Expectations Early: Aligning with stakeholders upfront to avoid miscommunication and delays.

• [00:15:04] Enforcing Accountability: Managing matrixed teams to ensure consistent participation and delivery.

• [00:20:31] Transitioning to Program Management: Skills and mindset shifts needed to move from recruiting to program management roles.

• [00:24:00] Metrics in Program Management: How program metrics differ from traditional recruiting KPIs.

• [00:28:42] Thriving in Ambiguity: Learning to navigate undefined roles and leveraging feedback for continuous improvement.

• [00:30:30] Closing Thoughts: Tiffany shares advice for those considering a move into program management.

This episode is a must-listen for talent professionals and recruiters looking to enhance their processes, adopt program management principles, and create more impactful hiring strategies.

📩 Connect with Tiffany:

Reach out to Tiffany on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and learn more about transitioning into program management.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyschandra/