Project Management, Global Design and Deliverables

Ford Motor • Dearborn, MI

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Design Technical Operations (DTO) turns design vision into reality through an obsession with detail and the art of the possible. As an integral part of Ford Global Design, DTO enables theme feasibility, surface geometry, and production-launch appearance quality across Ford’s global vehicle portfolio. The Global Design Delivery Project Manager is critical to the quality delivery of the Ford Design studio. This role defines and leads the governance, timing, and cross-functional alignment approval path required to move vehicle designs through key appearance approvals and executive decision points with senior leaders. Curious and creative, with an appreciation for Design and understanding of complex timing, this individual is fundamental to the success of the Design. Working across Global Design and its Engineering, Program, Marketing, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional partners, this individual brings structure and visibility to complex programs, establishes clear paths to decision, identifies risks and dependencies, and ensures Design leadership has the information needed to make timely decisions alongside their senior leadership partners. The ideal candidate is curious, highly collaborative, comfortable operating in ambiguity, and able to connect detailed program execution with the broader Design and business objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in industrial design, transportation design, mechanical engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience in project management, program management, product development, or business operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional work with multiple stakeholders, opinions and competing priorities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing and facilitating discussions with Executive leaders.
• Familiarity with vehicle development processes and GPDS milestones.
• Hands on experience in narrowing product scope and facilitating decisions on complex products, including leading and presenting in ELT decision-making forums.
• Big picture mindset and passion for innovative, breakthrough, and class leading products.
• Experience working within or closely partnering with a Design, Engineering, Product Development, or similarly creative/technical organization.
• Familiarity and experience with Design studio procedures, progression appearance development and approval processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Global Design Studio Appearance Approval governance process, including Design Quality Operating System, presentation template development, strategy, operating cadence, executive reviews, documentation / archiving, and follow-through on decisions, actions and assignments.
• Partner with Design leadership to define approval pathways, decision points, roles and responsibilities and escalation mechanisms across all Global programs.
• Creates, updates and manages agendas and desired outcomes for all Global Studio executive presentations / events.
• Manage and integrate Design timing, milestones, deliverables and approval requirements across all vehicle programs.
• Create space for Design input into cross-functional program timing and ensure proposed recommendations appropriately incorporate Design requirements and best practices.
• Plan and facilitate senior-level Appearance Approval forums, ensuring leaders have clear understanding of context, recommendations, risks, and decisions required.
• Represent Global Design in cross-functional governance forums and ensure Design requirements and perspectives are incorporated into enterprise processes, templates, and program plans.
• Ensure Global Design Studio enrollment in recommended processes and templates.
• Develop and maintain lookahead visibility of key Design milestones, approvals, forums, and required approvals to support leadership decision-making.
• Continuously improve Design governance and delivery processes to simplify workflows, improve decision velocity, clarify accountability, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
• Mentor DTO Program PMAs on overall Design QOS process & procedures, presentation templates, program timing and associated Design deliverables, Design approval review cadence.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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