Sr. Manager - IT Enterprise Strategy & Operations

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies•Palo Alto, CA

10d•$173,000 - $216,300

About The Position

Enterprise IT at RV Tech is building the technology foundation for one of the world's most ambitious automotive software companies. We are looking for a strategic leader who partners directly with the Director of Enterprise IT to drive organizational execution, shape strategic priorities, and ensure our most critical initiatives deliver meaningful business outcomes. This is not a traditional program management role. You will operate as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to IT leadership, helping define how Enterprise IT scales as we transition from a startup environment into a world-class technology organization. You'll help turn strategy into execution while ensuring our teams stay aligned, focused, and moving quickly.

Requirements

10+ years leading complex technology programs.
Experience partnering directly with VP or C-level executives.
Strong understanding of Enterprise IT, infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud, SaaS, enterprise applications, and software development organizations.
Experience leading organizational transformation.
Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills.
Proven ability to influence without authority.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Chief of Staff experience.
Management consulting background.
Experience in high-growth technology companies.
Automotive or mobility industry experience.
MBA or equivalent business experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to the Director of Enterprise IT.
Help define and evolve the Enterprise IT operating model.
Translate executive priorities into actionable roadmaps and measurable outcomes.
Prepare executive briefings, board-level updates, quarterly business reviews, and organizational communications.
Provide independent recommendations on priorities, trade-offs, and organizational decisions.
Own the execution and governance of Enterprise IT's highest-priority initiatives, including: Infrastructure modernization, Identity & Access Management, Enterprise Applications, Employee Experience, Cybersecurity & Compliance, AI Enablement, IT Service Management, Enterprise Productivity
Drive execution while ensuring teams remain aligned across engineering, finance, HR, legal, procurement, facilities, and executive leadership.
Build lightweight operating mechanisms that increase organizational effectiveness.
Establish governance models that improve execution without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
Develop executive dashboards and KPI reporting.
Improve planning, prioritization, and decision-making across the IT organization.
Identify organizational bottlenecks and recommend scalable improvements.
Prepare leadership presentations and strategic narratives.
Drive OKR planning and quarterly business reviews.
Lead staff meeting preparation and executive follow-ups.
Ensure leadership has clear visibility into priorities, risks, dependencies, and decisions.
Partner closely with leaders across: Engineering, Product, Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, Security, Workplace, Executive Leadership
Act as the connective tissue between teams to remove friction and accelerate execution.