Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives, Digital Technologies

Mars • Chicago, IL

4d

About The Position

Digital Technologies at Mars plays a crucial role in driving digital transformation and innovation initiatives as well as keeping our operations stable, secure, and efficient. Our work ranges from developing and managing digital platforms and tools that enhance business operations to leveraging data analytics and digital insights to inform decision-making. Our teams are implementing advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and automation to improve productivity and innovation. We also support cross-functional teams with digital solutions that streamline processes and foster collaboration, ensuring robust cybersecurity and compliance with company policies and regulations, and driving digital adoption and upskilling associates through training and resources. The Strategic Initiatives Lead is accountable and responsible for the disciplined execution, orchestration, and transparency of the DTLT agenda, ensuring delivery of critical success factors and resourcing prioritization across initiatives / projects. Reporting to the Global Digital Strategy and Reinvention VP, this role will develop and manage the strategic initiative governance and rhythm that drive the deployment of the Strategic Reinvention Office (SRO), ensuring insights, reporting and value tracking across all DT initiatives are consistently applied and decision-ready. The role acts as the central nerve center, connecting segment and domain PMOs, opportunity leads, and Finance to provide a single, trusted view of progress, risks, and value delivery. Furthermore, the role will play an integral role in enhancing the effectiveness of the DT leadership team (DTLT). Ability to inspire and motivate will be crucial in fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment, ensuring the Digital Technologies organization continues to thrive and deliver exceptional outcomes. Associates in this role will be able to lead and guide cross-functional and cross-segment teams to deliver initiatives that enhance long-term value creation, build our culture and capability of enterprise execution excellence, and gain visibility and perspective across the enterprise. The role is highly visible and critical to enabling effective senior leadership decision-making across DT; requiring a strong blend of business acumen, program management, and stakeholder management at the highest levels.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience leading strategic programs or large-scale transformation programs within global, federated organizations
• Experience with agile methodologies, strategic planning frameworks, and enterprise PMO practices
• Proven experience operating in complex Mars-like environments, with multiple segments, shared services, and matrixed decision-making
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without authority in a matrixed organization
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.
• Demonstrated financial discipline, with hands-on experience managing DT spend, tracking actuals vs. plan, and supporting value realization
• Experience in people leadership and line management
• Ability to operate with senior DT, Finance, P&O, Commercial and Segment leaders, translating complexity into clear governance, insights, and decisions
• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, supply chain, Technology, or related field

Nice To Haves

• MBA preferred

Responsibilities

• Run the end-to-end DT governance and delivery cadence, including DT Leadership Team meetings, SteerCos, OPBs, MLTs, and other formal forums
• Own DT-wide program management, tracking and reporting of all reinvention initiatives, milestones, interdependencies, risks, and outcomes
• Establish and maintain consistent progress, benefits, and KPI reporting
• People Leadership: Lead a community of PMOs across the business to orchestrate and align all Segments and initiative-level opportunities into a coherent, integrated delivery model. Line manage some direct reports (TBC)
• Ensure disciplined execution of agreed portfolio priorities, including tracking of top strategic initiatives and follow-through on leadership decisions
• Ensure all major DT initiatives are underpinned by clear problem statements, business ownership, and measurable value outcomes aligned to Mars priorities
• Executive Engagement: providing insights, progress updates, and recommendations on program priorities. Working with senior leaders cross-functionally, cross-segment, and corporate to drive execution

Benefits

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
• medical and dental benefits
• participation in 401k plan
• paid time off benefits

What This Job Offers

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