Project Management, Global Design and Deliverables

Ford • Dearborn, MI

12d • $115,500 - $175,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Design Technical Operations (DTO) is responsible for transforming design concepts into tangible realities, emphasizing meticulous detail and innovative problem-solving. As a key component of Ford Global Design, DTO ensures the feasibility of design themes, the precision of surface geometry, and the high quality of appearance for vehicles across Ford's global lineup. The Global Design Delivery Project Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality output of the Ford Design studio. This position involves defining and managing the governance, timelines, and cross-functional approval processes necessary for advancing vehicle designs through critical appearance approvals and executive decision-making stages with senior leadership. The ideal candidate is inquisitive, creative, possesses an understanding of design principles, and is adept at navigating complex timelines, making them essential to the success of the Design department. This role requires collaboration across Global Design and its partners in Engineering, Program Management, Marketing, Manufacturing, and other departments. The individual will bring structure and transparency to intricate programs, establish clear decision-making pathways, identify potential risks and dependencies, and ensure that Design leadership is equipped with the necessary information to make timely decisions in conjunction with their senior leadership counterparts. The ideal candidate is characterized by curiosity, a highly collaborative spirit, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to align detailed program execution with overarching 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 the Design Quality Operating System, development of presentation templates, 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.
• Create, update, and manage 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 opportunities 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 a clear understanding of context, recommendations, risks, and required decisions.
• 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, enhance decision velocity, clarify accountability, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
• Mentor DTO Program PMAs on the overall Design QOS process & procedures, presentation templates, program timing and associated Design deliverables, and 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: Manager