Director, Technical Program Management

Job Description

Overview

Zebra’s Products and Solutions division makes contributions to fast moving industries by creating great offerings for business thought leaders advancing productivity to realize their potential. We are people passionate about creating awesome products and experiences. People who want to innovate and develop solutions that create defining experiences for our customers. Come and discover the next great enterprise experience at Zebra.

We are looking for a software program director who is very customer focused, talented in transforming business strategies towards SW-Solution centric, and has a passion for driving the end-to-end development of solutions that exceed expectations. A manager that can drive strategic initiatives as well as product development in realizing our company’s vision. As a SW-Solutions program director, you are responsible for leading market vertical initiatives and several Product GTM and Professional Service program teams from initial concept to deployment. At the same time, you are challenged to meet program goals for solution performance, quality goals, regulatory compliance requirements, cost, schedule, and development budgets. You are also responsible for bridging initiative across Zebra business units, and working collaboratively with Business Strategy, Product Management, Marketing, and Experience Designers to define the solution business architecture, GTM and deployment platforms, and author the solution and experience specifications. Given our multitude of design and development partners, you will participate with negotiations with Business Development, and Legal.

Your track record must include experience or understanding in developing multi-disciplinary team leadership, collaborating with solution architects and system engineers in product definition/comprehension, deep knowledge of agile practices in the development and execution of program plans, program budget definition/management, management of vendor and contract management, and solution deployment.

You must have a strong desire, passion, and ability to understand consumer needs and a willingness to develop holistic solution strategies that delight our customers and exceed their expectations. You should also have a solid comprehension of consumer electronics, the enterprise industry, and demonstrate a personal passion for its growth.

Our definition of program management is one of the most comprehensive, most complex, and most challenging in the industry. You are the leader and held accountable to every element of the program organization and initiatives. Are you ready?

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with other senior leaders to align on and set the strategic direction for Program Management organization, aligned with overall company strategic initiatives. Contributes significantly to roadmap planning for product/services lines supported
• Establishes the Program Management Office, typically within one Business Unit. Sets standards for all program management activities including new product development process, program management tools, templates, deliverables, checklists, presentation formats, etc. Establishes continuous improvement process for new product development
• Manages the development and implementation of a company's products and services to success, primarily through providing direction and oversight to subordinate program managers. Oversees the work of subordinate Program Managers to stay informed, and ensure success of all programs under scope. Acts as escalation point for Program Managers in all aspects of managing the program including resourcing, accountability for deliverables, budget, time phasing or de-scoping of the program
• Recognized as an "expert" in the business function in which programs operate and in program management discipline. Can use business/process expertise to identify potential issues, challenge assumptions and effectively participate in solutions discussions. Able to use this knowledge in status updates and presentations, and provide clarifying information where necessary. Understands the strategic business objectives of the portfolio of programs and assumes personal accountability for success of the programs against those objectives Translates strategy into deliverables. Provides clear direction to subordinate team
• Collects , summarizes and leads executive reporting for programs under scope. Leverages team to provide detailed information about program status, obstacles or delays. Interprets status information to drive decisions on prioritization, resources, etc. to support program success
• Coaches/develops knowledge of subordinate program managers in internal process and key work skills including knowledge/application of Program Management techniques and approaches, mastery of vocabulary, project management tools in scheduling and staffing plans, understanding of task durations and dependencies, development of exhaustive risk management plans
• Typically directly supervises one or more less senior Program Managers and/or contractors
• Has overall control of planning, staffing, managing expense priorities, and recommending and implementing changes to business processes
• Regularly interacts with executives and/or major customers
• Reporting to the Sr. Director of Programs will be responsible for the operational success of Solution Programs and Initiatives ensuring seamless team management and development, program delivery, and quality control and evaluation. In this newly established role, the Director of Programs will manage a growing staff of 10-15.
• Externally facing role managing relationships in Zebra’s Partner community with a heavy emphasis on partner team management and development.
• Establishing standards of performance across all programs and drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality, increase efficiency and accelerate time to market.
• Define strategic initiatives to align the business to Agile product development. Work closely with Portfolio Management to ensure strategic goals align and are represented in the innovation feature roadmap. Track initiatives through the various stages of Portfolio evaluation in a manner that supports the Agile Lifecycle Management (ALM) framework (e.g. program manage through vision and proof of concept phases as working examples).
• Drive technical excellence across multiple engineering disciplines. Leading team development in an Agile Lifecycle Management (ALM) framework that promotes and embraces innovation across all initiative types (e.g. from incremental to strategic). Work closely with execution teams (e.g. Agile Release Trains) to ensure practices established in the ALM are consistently followed.
• Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models, and selecting and successfully operationalizing innovative programs
• Proficient in using technology as a management reporting tool and experience working with information technology staff to develop and implement program evaluation systems
• Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth
• Experience having worked with a high-performance, collaborative, constructive peer group
• Strength in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility, span-of-control and performance
• Deep understanding of human resources, employee performance improvement plans, and corrective action policies
• Demonstrated results in managing through complex systems and proven experience negotiating win-win agreements
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Organize, present, and document technical and program reviews/status to Senior Management.
• Execute multi-purpose programs simultaneously utilizing six sigma and project management methodologies to ensure maximum project effectiveness.
• Responsible for adherence to program plan and budgets for large projects. Recommends corrective actions and implements changes. Identifies and mitigates risks; develops and implements risk mitigation plans.
• Motivates project teams to ensure optimal performance.
• Validate the developing products are reliably designed and of quality.
• Develop and protect intellectual property; be well versed with IP fundamentals.
• Explore and understand competitive landscape in both product and business terms. May assist in the development of business plans, strategies, and approaches to take advantage of business opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree/MBA
• 15+ years experience including minimum 5 years management experience
• Advanced management skills including setting direction, driving accountability in the team, selecting and developing talent
• Advanced coaching skills, particularly in the areas of influence/matrix management
• Advanced collaborative skills at executive level
• Advanced communication and facilitation skills, including conflict management. Formal training preferred
• Advanced presentation skills. Demonstrated comfort in presenting to executive level cross functional audiences
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of advanced concepts with program management approaches, tools and methodologies
• PMP certification preferred. Ability to coach/mentor less senior PMs in PM fundamentals
• Advanced skills in PC based documentation tools including MS Office and MS Project
• Advanced skills in delegation and follow up
• Demonstrated expert knowledge/experience of technical business unit assigned to (Hardware, Software, Services, etc.)