VP, Program Management (Enterprise Technology Operations)

Gartner • Stamford, CT

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Vice President of Program Management for Enterprise Technology Operations (ETO), you will lead the execution of all ETO projects and programs to ensure delivery excellence across the portfolio. Reporting directly to the GVP of ETO, you act as a bridge between strategic vision and execution, translating high-level business and technology objectives into actionable programs. You will provide clear visibility into ETO’s work through data-driven insights and dashboards, while driving accountability and results across teams. This role combines strategic planning, program leadership, and executive communication, requiring a seasoned leader who can steer complex initiatives to successful outcomes and articulate the ETO organization’s value to top leadership. In this capacity, you will oversee a team of ~15 Program Managers and instill best practices such as Agile methodologies and Objectives & Key Results (OKRs) to foster transparency and continuous improvement. Your leadership will ensure that ETO’s initiatives are delivered smoothly, risks are managed proactively, and achievements are effectively communicated during quarterly Operating Committee (OC) updates and other executive forums. The ideal candidate is a proactive, data-driven program leader with a proven track record of delivering enterprise technology initiatives in a global, matrixed environment.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience in IT program management, project portfolio management, or technology operations, including proven leadership of large, cross-functional initiatives in a global, matrixed organization. A track record of delivering complex programs successfully in an enterprise comparable to Gartner (in size and complexity) is essential.
• Strategic mindset with strong execution skills – able to understand broad business objectives and translate them into actionable plans. Demonstrated ability to define program roadmaps, prioritize initiatives, and adjust to changing priorities while maintaining focus on outcomes.
• Exceptional program leadership and influencing abilities – capable of rallying diverse teams (including those not under direct control) around common goals. Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience collaborating across senior executive teams, and the ability to influence and drive decisions without direct authority.
• Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations and related domains (e.g. infrastructure, security, applications) to effectively guide technical teams and contextualize projects.
• Hands-on expertise in modern program/project management methodologies – including Agile frameworks, Scrum, and OKR implementation. Knowledge of portfolio management tools and techniques for tracking large numbers of projects. Experience instituting Agile at scale and driving cultural adoption of Agile practices is highly desirable.
• Data-driven and analytical aptitude – experience developing dashboards, reports, or scorecards to track program performance and outcomes. Able to derive insights from project data and present them in a meaningful way to executives. Proficiency with tools for project tracking and data visualization (e.g. PowerBI, JIRA, or similar) is a plus.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills – capable of conveying complex project statuses and technical details in clear, business-oriented language. Demonstrated experience presenting to C-level leaders or governance boards on program progress, risks, and outcomes. Able to tell a compelling story with data and visuals, instilling confidence in ETO’s execution.
• Strong people leadership and organizational skills – experience managing managers or senior professionals, preferably 10+ direct reports. Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams, and to coach team members in improving their project management capabilities. Committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive team environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business or related field (MBA or relevant graduate degree preferred). Relevant certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Agile/Scrum certifications, or SAFe Agilist are highly valued evidence of formal expertise.
• High integrity, resilience, and a collaborative ethos – comfortable navigating ambiguity and pressure in a fast-paced environment. Brings a positive, solutions-oriented attitude and exemplifies Gartner’s values of objectivity, collaboration, and results. Embraces feedback and continuous personal improvement, and inspires the same in their team.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Gartner’s business or similar knowledge of IT research/consulting industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Delivery Own and drive the successful execution of ETO’s project and program portfolio, translating strategic goals into well-defined initiatives with clear charters, scope, and deliverables. Ensure all initiatives remain outcome-focused and aligned with broader IT and business strategies, delivering value on time and within budget. Oversee portfolio performance by implementing standards and best practices (e.g. Agile methodology) for project planning, risk management, and quality assurance. Anticipate and remove obstacles to keep programs on track, and adjust plans as needed to meet changing business needs. Ensure measurable results by defining key success metrics for each program and rigorously tracking progress. Use data to drive decision-making and course corrections, maintaining a focus on outcomes and benefits realization throughout the program lifecycle.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Serve as the primary liaison to senior stakeholders, including partnering closely with the office of the CIO and other executives, to communicate program status, issues, and accomplishments. Provide high-level program updates and insights that enable informed decision-making and demonstrate how ETO initiatives support enterprise objectives. Lead executive-level communications and quarterly business reviews for ETO. Synthesize complex project details into clear, compelling presentations for the Operating Committee (OC) and other governance forums, highlighting achievements, key risks, and mitigation plans. Proactively escalate critical issues with recommendations for resolution. Foster cross-functional alignment by collaborating with stakeholders in IT, Security, Finance, and Business Units to ensure project interdependencies are managed and that ETO programs are meeting the needs of internal “customers.” Build trust and credibility through regular engagement, transparent reporting, and by delivering on commitments.
• Data-Driven Insights & Reporting Develop and maintain robust reporting dashboards and performance metrics to provide visibility into the work of all ETO teams. Aggregate project data (timelines, milestones, resource utilization, risks, outcomes) into executive-ready summaries that demonstrate ETO’s contributions and value. Deliver actionable insights to the CIO and leadership team on a regular cadence. Analyze program data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement. Translate these analytics into concise reports and briefs that inform strategy and resource allocation. Implement OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) across ETO programs to align teams on common goals and quantitatively measure progress. Ensure that for each quarter, OKRs and other key performance indicators are well-defined and reported, enabling a culture of accountability and results. Use these metrics to celebrate successes and course-correct when objectives are at risk.
• Team Leadership & Development Manage and mentor a high-performing team of Program Managers, providing direction, coaching, and professional development opportunities. Set clear goals and expectations for direct reports, and regularly monitor their progress and workload. Foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and continuous improvement within the team. Promote Agile practices and program management excellence across the team. Champion the adoption of modern project management methodologies (Agile/Scrum frameworks, iterative delivery) and ensure the team is well-versed in these practices to increase efficiency and adaptability. Build talent and succession plans for program management roles. Recruit and onboard top program/project management talent as needed, and cultivate the skills needed for future leaders. Encourage knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and the use of Gartner’s internal best practices for program execution.
• Governance & Continuous Improvement Establish and lead program governance processes to ensure all ETO initiatives are well-scoped, resourced, and tracked. Implement standardized templates and review cadences for program charters, status reports, risk registers, and post-project evaluations. This light-weight governance ensures consistency without unnecessary bureaucracy. Ensure accountability and compliance with organizational standards. Monitor that all ETO projects adhere to required compliance, security, and architectural guidelines. Serve as the point of escalation for major risks or deviations, and drive timely decision-making by the appropriate governance bodies. Drive continuous improvement in how ETO delivers initiatives. Analyze lessons learned from completed projects and feedback from stakeholders to identify process improvements. Keep abreast of industry best practices in enterprise program management, and introduce new tools or practices (e.g. improved resource planning, automation in reporting) to increase efficiency. Value realization and innovation: Continuously assess how ETO programs contribute to business outcomes such as associate productivity, operational efficiency, and risk reduction. Ensure benefits are captured and communicated. Encourage the team to propose innovative approaches that could improve project outcomes or accelerate time-to-value.

Benefits

• Gartner offers world-class benefits, highly competitive compensation and disproportionate rewards for top performers.
• In our hybrid work environment, we provide the flexibility and support for you to thrive — working virtually when it's productive to do so and getting together with colleagues in a vibrant community that is purposeful, engaging and inspiring.
• Gartner believes in fair and equitable pay.
• A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is 164,000 USD - 226,000 USD.
• In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based, uncapped sales incentive plan.
• We also offer market leading benefit programs including generous PTO, a 401k match up to $7,200 per year, the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount, and more.

What This Job Offers

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