Sr Lead Project / Program Manager - Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions

Cox Enterprises • Atlanta, GA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for all aspects of the program over the entire program life cycle, including leading program and project managers. They will have experience in leading and executing large, complex enterprise projects and programs. This role is a is a portfolio-level integrator and thought partner to executive sponsors, owning the most complex, cross-business programs and shaping how Manheim delivers value. This role sets the delivery approach, mentors other PMs, and embeds responsible AI and project management practices so teams move faster, safer, and smarter. The Senior Program Manager is accountable for managing multiple projects simultaneously and adapting to changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment The Senior Program Manager is well versed in program management methodology, has rich background of program and projects successes, is energetic, personable and thrives in a dynamic environment. The Senior Program Manager possesses the ability to find creative solutions to issues that jeopardize program goals/business objectives or timing, within budget or resource constraints. The Senior Program Manager can envision the ‘big picture’ and interfaces with executive, business, functional and Cox Automotive leadership to materialize the overall focus of the program in line with the business strategy. They leverage their expertise to drive decision making on all aspects of the program/project activities and mitigate erroneous decisions. The Senior Program Manager can manage program/project(s) and/or program managers in a cross-functional, matrix management environment where high-risk, cost, impact or change is paramount to the organization. The role relies upon experience in relationship management, master plan management, communications, change management, delivery execution and benefits realization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 8 years or more experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 6 years or more experience; a Ph.D. and up to 3 years of experience; or 12 years or experience, or more, in a related field.
• 8+ years of program management experience in leading and delivering large, complex enterprise programs and projects to successful execution.
• Demonstrated experience of managing programs over $10M.
• Strong networking and relationship management for effective stakeholder management.
• Business leadership skills including decision making, problem solving and resource management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Strong customer service skills; frequent interactions with senior level internal customers.
• Ability to understand, interpret, manage, and communicate technical and business team’s needs, concerns, risk, issues and collisions across all departments.
• Experience in organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating complex team efforts.
• Effective “consultative” and influential approach, combined with action-oriented passion for speed.
• Experience with applications in the MS Office suite including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project required, knowledge of Smartsheet preferred.

Nice To Haves

• PMP and/or PgMP certification a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• PREPARE, MANAGE and LEAD THE PROGRAM Leads and manages large, complex enterprise-level projects consisting of multiple teams and/or requiring integration with other activities outside the normal project scope
• Establishes and maintains a working partnership with business owners, executives, and project teams to rationalize business objectives & business priorities
• Collaborate with executive stakeholders (VPs/Directors) to define project / program objectives, scope, deliverables and timelines. Ensures there are business cases, KPIs/OKRs, and benefits tracking models aligned to CAI priorities
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including resource allocation, task assignments, dependencies and critical path, and risk mitigation strategies. Establish right-sized governance (SteerCos, risk councils), decision frameworks, and escalation paths; reduce decision latency and unblock dependencies.
• Leads and oversees project initiation, risk assessment, team selection and startup, execution and post-project review.
• Sought out by executives to lead or provide advice on key company initiatives
• Initiates and leads process improvement task forces, facilitating and encouraging improvements based on lessons learned and state-of-the-art project management techniques
• Exhibits the business acumen to identify where activities are needed to integrate and/or supplement the functional work streams. Drive decision-making across programs; champion adoption of common metrics that link to financials and outcomes.
• Lead retrospectives across programs to harvest learnings and codify playbooks; evolve templates and standards.
• PROVIDE LEADERSHIP & DIRECTION FOR THE PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM
• Communicates the program objectives, priorities, and direction to all stakeholders.
• Establishes and implements norms for communication, interaction, coordination and accountability across multiple threads of the organization specific to the purpose of delivering the program.
• Anticipate systemic risks, conducts comprehensive risk management, design mitigations, and negotiate trade-offs with senior leaders.
• Inspires collaboration and cross-functional trust which results in an environment where the business outcomes are prioritized ahead of individual/functional department needs.
• Ensures that the planned, regular, and effective communication of status, issues, risks, and actions among all persons and parties involved in the program is of sufficient rigor to ensure stakeholder engagement and program success.
• Influences (without authority) the actions/behaviors across all levels of the organization with poise and professionalism, especially at the executive level.
• Demonstrates political acumen, tact in escalation and the discernment in varying both message and communication style depending on situation, personalities and relationships.
• Actively communicates team/individual accomplishments and wins.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Leads and/or mentors program/project Managers to ensure high quality deliverables, competency development and progress towards individual career goals.
• Model ways of working, elevating Smartsheet portfolio hygiene and storytelling quality.
• Drives change and continually improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the Project Management group.

Benefits

• The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members.
• Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
• Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO).

What This Job Offers

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