Program Manager Lead - Global Operations

UL Solutions • Northbrook, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Manager Lead is responsible for leading and delivering a broad portfolio of strategic initiatives that support UL Solutions’ Global Operations, including but not limited to footprint, lab, field, quality, operational excellence, and other enterprise priorities. This role provides strong program and project management leadership across complex, cross-functional initiatives by developing workplans, managing execution, coordinating stakeholders, tracking risks and milestones, and driving outcomes aligned to Global Operations and enterprise strategies. The Program Manager Lead also provides leadership, guidance, and oversight to other project managers, helping ensure consistent project management practices, disciplined execution, and alignment across the broader portfolio. As a member of the Global Operations organization, the Program Manager Lead conducts research, collects and analyzes internal and external data, prepares studies and recommendations, and identifies approaches, resources, and tools to improve the effectiveness and impact of global operations. The role partners with business leaders, functional teams, project managers, and regional stakeholders globally on program design, project execution, stakeholder management, change management, and strategic communications.

Requirements

• Demonstrated leadership ability, technical and business acumen and industry knowledge.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects under strict timelines, as well as the ability to work well in a demanding, dynamic environment and meet overall objectives.
• Proven ability to build and lead integrated teams from various internal and external organizations across multiple sites.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop project managers and project teams to deliver complex initiatives with consistent standards, governance, and accountability.
• Sound knowledge of business management.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams.
• Background in the development of strategic and tactical planning of technology and people resources necessary for successful completion of several large-scale projects.
• Demonstrated strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• High degree of initiative, dependability, and ability to achieve broadly communicated objectives with a minimal amount of supervision.
• Excellent written, oral, presentation and meeting facilitation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Financial/budget management, resource management skills.
• Ability to provide recommendations on complex issues and navigate conflict.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Positive and collaborative interpersonal skills to work effectively across all organizational levels, with Executive Level reporting and escalation experience.
• Creativity and curiosity to learn new ideas and ways of working with motivation and initiative to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to promote innovative ideas and accept the risks that are required to lead change.
• Ability to make decisions independently and to assume higher-level leadership responsibilities in critical situations.
• Demonstrate strong professionalism and proven ability to work with senior leaders.
• Self-motivated and possessing a high sense of urgency and personal integrity.
• Generally, 10 years or more of related discipline experience or demonstrated competency including 5 years or more of relevant management/leadership experience or demonstrated competency.
• Experience successfully executing programs in a diverse global business environment.
• Experience leading or providing oversight to other project managers, including coaching on project planning, execution discipline, stakeholder management, risk management, and reporting.
• Background in the development of strategic and tactical planning necessary for successful completion of large-scale projects.
• Experience developing, evaluating and submitting business cases for major capital investments.
• Experience with cross geographical project coordination and management.
• Experience working on project and portfolio management Tools (Visio, MS Project, Clarity, etc.).
• Experience in Organizational Change Management.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Examples include: MBA, MA in Project Management, or master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent work experience.
• PMP and/or Agile certifications preferred but not required with related hands-on delivery experience.

Responsibilities

• Strategic program and project leadership: Leads Global Operations-related strategic initiatives and complex programs by collaborating with subject matter experts, business leaders, and operational leaders globally.
• Develop and maintain scalable project management processes, tools, and methods that can be deployed across Global Operations and for various types of initiatives
• Collaborate closely with ePMO to maintain best practice governance, processes and reporting as well as project management capabilities
• Translates corporate and Global Operations strategies into actionable program plans, including initiatives beyond footprint to support operational priorities and business outcomes.
• Identifies, prioritizes, plans, and executes activities required to support Global Operations strategies, priorities, and special initiative projects across lab, field, quality, and enterprise operations.
• Manages implementation of large, complex programs and provides overall project management leadership, governance, and support to one or more global project teams.
• Leads, coaches, and supports other project managers to strengthen project delivery, improve consistency, and ensure alignment with Global Operations priorities.
• Acts as the front-line lead for program-related activities, issues, risks, dependencies, and decisions; manages risks and takes corrective action to keep work on track.
• Business and financial analyst: Analyzes information regarding customers, products, markets, geographies, and competitors in Lab and Operations related areas to assist in developing new and current opportunities.
• Interprets information to determine the costs and potential benefits to Lab and Operations and UL Solutions.
• Interfaces with C-Suite Executives, Business Unit Leaders and finance to develop business case and other financial measures.
• Partners with purchasing to develop POs and manages suppliers and vendor relationships.
• Manages the program’s budget and financial performance.
• Employee engagement: Manages stakeholders’ communication.
• Supports communication and change management of the Lab and Operations strategic plan objectives to cross-functional, regional and local management in coordination with the corporate communications and change management teams.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• mental and financial health
• 401K
• annual bonus compensation
• paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday and personal days (totaling 12 days) and sick time off (72 hours)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager