IT Program Manager

The IT Program Manager works to support the successful delivery of Business initiatives and IT Workstreams if present inside of Business Project Initiatives. The incumbent will act as a key point of contact for project team, stakeholders and EMEAI IT Teams, ensuring smooth communication and helping to address any issues that arise during the project lifecycle

The incumbent will also support compliance efforts, as it relates to contractual commitments. The role requires foundational knowledge of IT Technology (Applications i.e. ERP, Infrastructure, Data …) Demand and Portfolio Management, PM practices (Waterfall/Agile), methodologies, strong collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams. The incumbent will be responsible for helping the team drive the success of projects and ensuring they have a positive impact on the organization.

• Proven experience, 3-5 years of experience in IT Demand & Program management

• Previous experience in leading cross-functional teams and coordinating multiple IT programs simultaneously, balancing priorities and adapting plans and resource allocation to changing business needs.

• Experience in working with stakeholders and working in complex, cross-functional environment

• Good knowledge of IT portfolio and project management and IT governance frameworks, including Agile and Waterfall methodologies, planning and budgeting processes, stakeholder management, the software development lifecycle and specific IT governance tools. Familiarity with procurement processes and contract management

• Strong problem-solving, organizational, analytical, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all organizational levels. A strong understanding of both business requirements and implications, as well as technical aspects related to data, is essential. The ability to engage effectively with both business and technology stakeholders is crucial

• Financial and budget management capabilities

• Solid interpersonal and communication abilities for collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders

• Ability to work independently with a proactive and solution-oriented and detail-oriented mindset, while thriving in collaborative team environments, and to clearly communicate complex ideas to both technical and business stakeholders.

• Critical-thinking skills to identify issues and develop practical solutions to keep the project on track.

• Governance and Oversight: provide governance and oversight across all IT programs and projects (where IT is involved), ensuring alignment with the roadmap and strategic priorities. Regularly monitor and report on overall program and project status to ensure timely delivery, fast escalation of issues, and clear communication with top management and stakeholders.
• Business Partnership: act as the main liaison between IT and Business Demand teams, ensuring alignment and prioritization of initiatives across functions.
• IT Program Alignment: Align IT demand and portfolio with organizational goals by maintaining close collaboration with business units and stakeholders. Ensure that demand initiatives contribute to operational efficiency and the achievement of long-term business growth.
• IT Demand Lifecycle Management: Manage the full lifecycle of IT demand, from generation to execution, ensuring all initiatives align with IT priorities, business objectives, and the broader ICT strategy. Support teams in transforming ideas into actionable projects that deliver value.
• Cross-Functional Demand Coordination: Coordinate demand processes with all the other demand departments (Product, Operations, etc.). Track milestones, manage dependencies, and address challenges to ensure portfolio of projects is delivered on time and within scope. Establish escalation mechanisms to resolve roadblocks effectively.
• Project Quality and Methodologies: Ensure quality standards are met by evolving and managing the Project and Portfolio tool defining robust methodologies for project execution and change management. Drive the adoption of best practices, supporting teams in their transition.
• Governance Framework Implementation: Implement a governance framework to monitor and report on demand status, resource allocation, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• IT Budget and Forecasting: ensure effective resource allocation and spending control.
• Program Review: Manage the preparation of IT Regional Portfolio Review with the Regional Business Leadership and IT Management;
• Decision Support: Provide insights to support decision-making at both operational and leadership levels.