Sr. Program Director, ERP Transformation

Smith+Nephew

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. The Senior Program Director for SAP S/4 ERP Transformation is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and successful delivery of a large-scale SAP S/4HANA ERP implementation. This individual will serve as the driving force behind the transformation, guiding cross-functional teams, aligning leadership vision with operational execution, and ensuring the organization fully realizes the benefits of a modernized enterprise resource planning system. The Senior Program Director will play a critical role in shaping business processes, enabling digital transformation, and positioning the company for long-term growth.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA, MS) strongly preferred.
15+ years of progressive experience in program and project management, including leadership of complex, large-scale ERP implementations.
Demonstrated success leading SAP S/4HANA or other major SAP ERP transformations in a global or multi-site environment.
Deep understanding of SAP S/4HANA architecture, modules (FI/CO, MM, SD, PP, etc.), and integration best practices.
Proven expertise in process improvement, organizational change management, and business transformation.
Exceptional stakeholder management, communications, and interpersonal skills.
Strong financial acumen and experience managing multi-million dollar budgets.
Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture while managing details of program delivery.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills; able to anticipate and mitigate risks proactively.
Ability to build consensus, inspire teams, and navigate complex organizational structures.
Experience working with global teams, external partners, and managing culturally diverse environments ideal.
High degree of adaptability, resilience, and comfort with ambiguity and change.
Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and vendor management skills ideal.
Outstanding written and verbal communication, with experience presenting to executive audiences preferred.
Track record of delivering ERP transformation programs on time, within budget, and meeting or exceeding expected business outcomes.
Ability to foster collaboration and partnership across business and IT teams.
Commitment to best practices in program governance, risk management, and quality assurance.
Passion for driving digital transformation and leveraging technology to create business value.

Nice To Haves

PMP, PgMP, or SAP-related certifications are a significant asset.

Responsibilities

Develop and articulate the vision, strategy, and roadmap for the SAP S/4 ERP transformation program.
Ensure alignment between business objectives, technology strategy, and program execution.
Provide clear leadership, direction, and motivation to cross-functional and global teams throughout all phases of the transformation.
Act as the primary point of contact between executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technical teams.
Engage with executive sponsors, business unit leaders, and functional heads to understand needs and define program requirements.
Communicate program status, key decisions, risks, and issues to all levels of the organization, ensuring transparency and alignment.
Build and maintain strong relationships with SAP and implementation partners, external consultants, and technology vendors.
Oversee all aspects of program delivery, including project planning, resource allocation, timeline management, and budget control.
Ensure the program meets milestones on time and within budget, proactively identifying and addressing risks and dependencies.
Establish program governance structures, steering committees, and regular reporting mechanisms.
Drive decision-making and resolve escalated issues to maintain program momentum.
Lead business process reengineering efforts to maximize the benefits of SAP S/4HANA capabilities.
Champion organizational change, developing and implementing change management plans and training strategies to facilitate user adoption.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across all impacted functions.
Ensure all deliverables meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and audit specifications.
Oversee test planning, execution, and cutover activities to ensure a seamless transition to SAP S/4HANA.
Establish controls and procedures for data migration, security, and privacy compliance.
Develop and manage the program budget, forecasting costs and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
Provide financial updates to leadership and ensure appropriate resource allocation across workstreams.
Negotiate contracts and manage vendor performance to ensure delivery of expected outcomes within budget.