Director, Program Management

Coherent • Pine Brook, PA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Own the Program Management function and governance for the SiC LLC BU, including strategy, operating model, decision rights, standards and tools; establish a scalable, global PMO capability with consistent ways of working across sites and regions. Lead and optimize the global program portfolio, setting priorities, sequencing, and capacity plans; integrate strategy deployment with financial planning to ensure resources are allocated to the highest-value work across the end-to-end manufacturing value stream. Institutionalize enterprise-grade governance and controls (stage-gate, risk and issue management, change control, financial tracking, and benefits realization) to improve predictability, transparency, and accountability across all major programs. Drive investment governance and business case rigor by building/validating value cases, aligning scope to strategic priorities, and governing tradeoffs across competing initiatives; lead executive steering forums, escalate decisions with options, and ensure timely resolution of cross-functional conflicts. Hold project leaders accountable for delivery and value capture through disciplined management of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risks; implement benefits realization and sustainment mechanisms, and ensure corrective actions are taken quickly when programs deviate from plan. Establish portfolio performance management and executive reporting using KPI/OKR frameworks, dashboards, and standardized operating reviews to enable transparent prioritization, rapid issue resolution, and informed leadership decisions. Serve as a senior advisor to Operations and functional leadership (Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, IT) on portfolio strategy, execution risk, and operating model maturity; influence operating reviews and drive alignment to enterprise standards. Align global stakeholders and the partner ecosystem across sites, regions, and external vendors/consultants; establish governance rhythms, escalation paths, and performance expectations to accelerate outcomes and improve delivery predictability. Proactively manage enterprise risks, dependencies, and continuity across the portfolio, including cross-program impacts, compliance considerations, supply chain constraints, and plant operational continuity; escalate critical issues with scenario-based options and clear recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Software Engineering, Business, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• PMP certification or equivalent strongly preferred.
• 12–18+ years of progressive program/project and/or operations transformation experience, including leadership of large-scale, cross-functional initiatives in manufacturing environments.
• 7+ years in people leadership roles, building and managing Program/Project Managers and/or PMO functions within global, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated experience governing a portfolio of complex, multi-million-dollar programs across multiple sites/regions, with executive-level visibility and measurable business outcomes.
• Experience in product development, NPI, and lifecycle management preferred.
• Background in process engineering, SiC industry, or related manufacturing domains is a strong plus.
• Strategic and financial acumen to translate BU strategy into a prioritized, capacity-based portfolio, with clear value cases, funding recommendations, and measurable outcomes tied to manufacturing performance (safety, quality, cost, delivery) and growth.
• Proven ability to build and scale PMO organizations, define operating models, and drive enterprise-wide adoption of governance standards.
• Executive communication and presence; able to lead steering committees, shape narratives, present tradeoffs, and secure decisions with senior leaders in ambiguous, high-visibility environments.
• Advanced expertise in portfolio and program management systems and reporting (e.g., MS Project, Power BI), including integrated schedules, dependency management, financial governance, and benefits realization dashboards.
• Demonstrated success leading through influence across global, matrixed organizations, including conflict resolution and alignment of senior stakeholders.
• Strong risk management and decision-making capabilities, including scenario planning, governance-based escalation, and sound judgment in complex, high-visibility situations.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution, building durable systems and capabilities while delivering near-term results.
• Excellent people leadership skills, including coaching, mentoring, org effectiveness, and performance management; builds engaged teams and strong cross-functional partnerships.
• Commercial and vendor management capability, including contracting support, performance management, and governance of strategic partners and systems integrators.
• Executive presence and change leadership—able to align leaders around a common narrative, communicate tradeoffs, and sustain adoption across diverse global audiences.
• High adaptability and effectiveness in fast-paced, evolving business environments.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• PMP certification or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Experience in product development, NPI, and lifecycle management preferred.
• Background in process engineering, SiC industry, or related manufacturing domains is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the Program Management function and governance for the SiC LLC BU, including strategy, operating model, decision rights, standards and tools; establish a scalable, global PMO capability with consistent ways of working across sites and regions.
• Lead and optimize the global program portfolio, setting priorities, sequencing, and capacity plans; integrate strategy deployment with financial planning to ensure resources are allocated to the highest-value work across the end-to-end manufacturing value stream.
• Institutionalize enterprise-grade governance and controls (stage-gate, risk and issue management, change control, financial tracking, and benefits realization) to improve predictability, transparency, and accountability across all major programs.
• Drive investment governance and business case rigor by building/validating value cases, aligning scope to strategic priorities, and governing tradeoffs across competing initiatives; lead executive steering forums, escalate decisions with options, and ensure timely resolution of cross-functional conflicts.
• Hold project leaders accountable for delivery and value capture through disciplined management of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risks; implement benefits realization and sustainment mechanisms, and ensure corrective actions are taken quickly when programs deviate from plan.
• Establish portfolio performance management and executive reporting using KPI/OKR frameworks, dashboards, and standardized operating reviews to enable transparent prioritization, rapid issue resolution, and informed leadership decisions.
• Serve as a senior advisor to Operations and functional leadership (Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, IT) on portfolio strategy, execution risk, and operating model maturity; influence operating reviews and drive alignment to enterprise standards.
• Align global stakeholders and the partner ecosystem across sites, regions, and external vendors/consultants; establish governance rhythms, escalation paths, and performance expectations to accelerate outcomes and improve delivery predictability.
• Proactively manage enterprise risks, dependencies, and continuity across the portfolio, including cross-program impacts, compliance considerations, supply chain constraints, and plant operational continuity; escalate critical issues with scenario-based options and clear recommendations.

Benefits

• All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
• Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
• Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.: I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees