Strategic Program Manager, Global Operations Strategy & Portfolio

Agilent Technologies•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

The Strategic Program Manager is a key member of Agilent’s Global Operations Strategy & Portfolio team, helping shape and execute Global Operations strategy by turning complex priorities into clear choices, coordinated plans and measurable outcomes. The role operates across strategy, finance, program leadership, analytics and executive decision support, partnering with Global Operations and enterprise functions to advance high-priority work and strengthen leadership decisions. It is not a traditional PMO role; it calls for a strategist’s structured thinking, an experienced program leader’s execution discipline, a business operator’s financial acumen and the curiosity to use modern data and AI tools to improve work. The position requires independence, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to build trust and influence in a global, matrixed organization. The role supports development and evolution of the multi-year Global Operations strategy, converts strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps and plans, and leads complex cross-functional initiatives from problem definition through implementation and benefits realization. It provides financial and business analysis, uses data, analytics and AI to strengthen decision-making and simplify processes, and builds relationships with stakeholders across a broad range of functions. Success includes giving leaders clearer choices, translating priorities into executable plans, making financial and operational implications visible, resolving program risks early, and improving decision support through common data and modern analytical tools.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Economics or a related discipline.
At least 8 years of relevant experience in strategy, strategic finance, business operations, management consulting, transformation, portfolio management or complex program leadership, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated success independently structuring and solving ambiguous, cross-functional business problems.
Proven program leadership driving complex initiatives across multiple functions, stakeholder groups and geographies.
Strong financial and business acumen, including business cases, investment evaluation, scenario analysis, and interpretation of P&L and operational performance.
Experience influencing senior stakeholders and navigating complex, global matrix organizations.
Advanced analytical capability and proficiency with Excel and executive-level PowerPoint.
Exceptional written, verbal, facilitation and executive communication skills.
Strategic problem-solving ability: frame questions, structure ambiguity, test assumptions and develop practical recommendations.
Execution discipline, including converting decisions into ownership, milestones and follow-through; anticipating risks and closing loops.
Financial and analytical judgment that connects operational choices to financial outcomes and distinguishes meaningful signals from reporting noise.
Ability to use modern AI tools thoughtfully to improve productivity while applying sound judgment and enterprise safeguards.
Ability to build trust, integrate diverse perspectives and advance work without direct authority.
Learning agility, ownership, independent operation and sound judgment in unfamiliar situations.
High standards for accuracy, detail, responsiveness and completion.

Nice To Haves

MBA, Master’s or other relevant advanced degree.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience in life sciences, analytical instrumentation, manufacturing, supply chain, regulated industries or similarly complex operating environments.
Experience supporting enterprise or functional strategy, long-range planning, portfolio governance or strategic finance.
Experience with Power BI and enterprise collaboration, roadmapping or portfolio-management platforms such as Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Teams or Smartsheet.
Demonstrated application of generative AI, AI-assisted analysis or automated workflows in an enterprise environment.
Relevant certification or training in program/project management, Agile, Lean Six Sigma or change management.

Responsibilities

Support development and evolution of the Global Operations multi-year strategy, connecting enterprise priorities with operational capabilities, investments and execution.
Structure ambiguous strategic questions, synthesize internal and external inputs, develop hypotheses and options, and translate analysis into recommendations.
Translate strategic priorities into roadmaps, initiatives, milestones, KPIs and decision points.
Support annual, quarterly and long-range planning, maintaining alignment as business conditions, assumptions and priorities change.
Develop executive-ready strategy narratives, recommendations and decision materials.
Lead complex cross-functional strategic initiatives from problem definition through implementation and benefits realization.
Establish appropriate governance, workplans, decision frameworks, milestones, ownership and operating rhythms.
Anticipate and drive resolution of dependencies, risks, resource constraints and stakeholder issues.
Create portfolio transparency and enable prioritization, sequencing and resource-allocation decisions while maintaining momentum and accountability without unnecessary process.
Partner with Finance and functional leaders to translate operational decisions into financial implications and business outcomes.
Build and challenge business cases, investment analyses, scenarios and cost-benefit assessments.
Connect strategic initiatives to growth, margin, cost, productivity, working capital, capacity, headcount and investment requirements.
Analyze actual and forecast performance to identify gaps, risks, opportunities and trade-offs; distill findings into leadership insights and recommendations.
Use data and analytics to frame problems, test hypotheses, evaluate alternatives and strengthen recommendations.
Use Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, generative AI and modern productivity tools to accelerate analysis, synthesis, communication and program execution.
Identify opportunities to simplify or automate recurring strategic and operational processes using AI, analytics and digital workflows.
Partner with data, analytics, Finance and IT specialists while independently performing business analysis needed to advance decisions.
Build trusted relationships across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, MSAT, Finance, HR, IT, Commercial and other enterprise functions.
Influence outcomes in a global, matrixed organization without relying on formal authority; facilitate leadership discussions and help resolve unclear priorities, ownership, trade-offs or decisions.
Adapt communication and engagement to executives, functional leaders, subject-matter experts and project teams; identify stakeholder concerns and develop practical paths to alignment.
Communicate complex topics simply, concisely and credibly.