Product Operations Program Manager

Western Digital•San Jose, CA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

Western Digital is seeking a highly strategic and execution-focused Program Manager to support the Product organization, reporting to the Chief of Staff. This role is designed for a strong operator who thrives in fast-paced, complex environments and brings rigor, clarity, and discipline to how the business runs. You will own and evolve the Product operating cadence, drive executive-level decision support, and ensure alignment across Product, Engineering, Finance, Operations, and HR. This is not a reporting role—it is an inspection and execution role that directly influences business outcomes and leadership effectiveness.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in program management, business operations, product operations, or a Chief of Staff–adjacent role
Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional programs at scale
Strong analytical skills with experience working with business and financial metrics
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Product or Engineering organizations in a technology company
Demonstrated success building or scaling operating cadences (WBR, MBR, QBR/QBO)
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence without authority
Experience working in global, matrixed organizations
Prior experience in Product Operations, Business Operations, or Chief of Staff–adjacent roles supporting senior executives
Demonstrated success evolving operating mechanisms as organizations scale in size and complexity

Responsibilities

Own and Run the Product Operating Cadence: Own end-to-end execution of core operating mechanisms, including Weekly Business Reviews (WBR), Monthly Business Reviews (MBR), Quarterly Business Outlooks (QBO), and Product staff meetings.
Ensure consistent, high-quality inputs, structured outputs, and disciplined follow-through across all forums.
Enforce mechanism standards (inputs, outputs, decision records, action tracking) and continuously improve operating rigor and effectiveness.
Executive-Level Synthesis & Decision Support: Synthesize complex, cross-functional inputs into concise, decision-ready materials (scorecards, one-pagers, dashboards) for senior leadership.
Surface tradeoffs, risks, and misalignment early; frame decisions with clear options and recommendations rather than status reporting.
Inspection, Not Reporting: Drive an inspection mindset across all operating reviews—focusing on metrics, drivers, deltas, and path-to-green.
Hold leaders accountable for clear ownership, measurable outcomes, and timely closure of commitments.
Cross-Functional Program Leadership: Partner with Product, Engineering, Finance, Operations, and HR to ensure alignment across roadmaps, headcount, and financial plans.
Act as a trusted operator who challenges assumptions, drives clarity, and resolves dependencies without over-reliance on executive escalation.
Action & Decision Hygiene: Maintain rigorous action tracking across all forums, including aging, escalation, and closure.
Ensure decisions and commitments are clearly documented and carried forward across cadences.
Drive continuity from QBO → MBR → WBR to ensure execution aligns with strategic commitments.
Business and Financial Acumen: Analyze operating metrics, targets, trends, and variances; connect execution performance to roadmap, headcount, and financial outcomes.
Operate effectively in ambiguity, balancing incomplete data with the need for timely decisions.
Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication: Produce clear, concise executive-level materials suitable for VP/SVP audiences and global teams.
Maintain strong meeting hygiene and consistently represent the operating model across stakeholders.

Benefits

paid vacation time
paid sick leave
medical/dental/vision insurance
life, accident and disability insurance
tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
employee assistance program
other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
tuition reimbursement
transit
the Applause Program
employee stock purchase plan
the WD Savings 401(k) Plan