VP or Head of Program Management

Job Description:

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and vision for the program management function, aligning program management activities with organizational goals and objectives. Develop and implement strategies, policies, and best practices to drive excellence and innovation in program management.

2. Executive Leadership: Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing insights, guidance, and recommendations to inform organizational strategy and decision-making. Collaborate with other senior leaders to align program management initiatives with broader organizational objectives.

3. Organizational Transformation: Lead organizational transformation initiatives related to program management, driving cultural change, and fostering a program-centric mindset throughout the organization. Champion best practices, methodologies, and tools to enhance program management capabilities and effectiveness.

4. Portfolio Governance: Establish and maintain portfolio governance structures, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment with organizational standards, industry regulations, and best practices. Define roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes for portfolio management.

5. Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including executive leadership, program sponsors, business unit leaders, and other relevant stakeholders. Manage stakeholder expectations, communicate program management objectives and performance, and facilitate collaboration and alignment.

6. Talent Development: Lead the development and cultivation of a high-performing program management team. Mentor, coach, and develop program managers, coordinators, and other program management professionals to enhance their skills, capabilities, and leadership potential.

7. Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives within the program management function. Identify opportunities for optimization, automation, and efficiency gains in program management processes, methodologies, and tools.

8. Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate strategic partnerships with external vendors, consultants, and industry organizations to enhance program management capabilities and access specialized expertise and resources as needed.

9. Risk Management and Compliance: Oversee risk management and compliance activities related to program management. Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and organizational policies and procedures.

10. Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Establish performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor program management performance and value delivery. Provide regular reports, updates, and insights to executive leadership and stakeholders on program management performance and strategic impact.

Qualifications:

1. Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of experience in program management or related roles, with a track record of successfully leading and managing complex programs, portfolios, and initiatives in a dynamic environment. Previous executive leadership experience is required.

2. Leadership: Strong executive leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and lead teams towards achieving program management objectives. Experience leading large, cross-functional teams and driving organizational change.

3. Strategic Thinking: Strategic mindset with the ability to align program management objectives with organizational goals, anticipate future needs, and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement. Experience developing and implementing program management strategies.

4. Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and information to diverse stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

5. Financial Management: Proficiency in financial management principles and practices, with experience managing program budgets, tracking expenses, and monitoring financial performance to ensure programs are delivered within budgetary constraints.

6. Risk Management: Strong risk management skills with the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues proactively. Experience developing risk management strategies, monitoring risk indicators, and implementing contingency plans.

7. Change Management: Expertise in change management principles and practices to effectively manage organizational change related to program management. Experience assessing change impacts, managing stakeholder expectations, and driving cultural transformation.

8. Innovation: Proven ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives within the program management function. Experience championing new ideas, methodologies, and tools to enhance program management capabilities and effectiveness.

9. Strategic Partnerships: Demonstrated success in cultivating strategic partnerships with external vendors, consultants, and industry organizations to enhance program management capabilities and access specialized expertise and resources.

10. Education: Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, program management, or related field required. Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) and relevant certifications (e.g., PgMP) preferred.