The Program Director is part of Cognizant’s Global Program Management Community and is responsible and accountable for Program Management activities associated with large-scale, sophisticated, multi-tower (IT, Infrastructure, Business Processes and Digital) programs where SAP ERP is central to the solution. In addition to leading delivery objectives, he/she will have responsibility for customer satisfaction and the client relationships required for a successful program.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Operate as part of the GPM delivery organization to achieve successful execution of strategic programs and consistency to appropriate program governance
Facilitate cross-project collaboration where dependencies are encountered; supervise progress of course-corrective actions
Serve as the senior delivery leader supporting the client and internal teams while working closely with the Engagement Delivery Partner to ensure alignment of delivery to client’s key objectives
Deliver contractual commitments to the Client for Cognizant.
Drive consensus between various client stakeholders and internal team to facilitate the conversion of the product or program's vision / ideas into program work
Develop a team of Cognizant associates and second/third party associates
Ensure completion of deliverables and alignment to timelines, quality standards, and budgets
Drive quality standards and program improvements within the team
Build high preforming team that adheres to process, target metrics, and quality goals. Where appropriate, modify development process to achieve goals.
Identify, analyze and resolve issues/risks that have the potential to jeopardize the ability to meet our commitments
Supervise and achieve program Bid vs. Did around Cognizant program metrics
Mentor the team on tools and processes to run projects, participate in hiring decisions and participate in performance appraisals on staff
Participate with Client Partner in sales as a delivery leader to help shape and demonstrate delivery capabilities
Provide full and accurate communication to client, Cognizant leadership and third party stakeholders
Handle internal and external client expectations on all contractual requirements and deliverables
Skills:
Ability to build strong relationships with IT and Business Leadership.
Ability to build strong cross functional teams.
Demonstrated ability in running internal and external client expectations on program requirements and deliverables
Problem solving with the aptitude to identify strategic solutions to business problems with enterprise-wide implications
Demonstrate the flexibility to work among diverse corporate environments, industries and technical and non-technical audiences
Consistent track record of success in delivering SAP ERP programs
Very good understanding of new emerging technologies and leading trends.
Extensive experience working with Project/Program Management processes, including experience with Project Management tools to plan, run and supervise programs
Strong program management skills with the ability to work and supervise progress from multiple service lines simultaneously
Set client expectations; maintain communication with key stakeholders while ensuring a great customer experience
Ability to act as a mentor for team members to advance their skills and competencies
Qualifications:
Extensive experience working with Project/Program Management processes, including experience with Program Management tools to plan, manage and monitor projects
Has successfully delivered multiple SAP ERP solutions across all phases of the SDLC
Ability to engage senior client executives, i.e., C-suite, and Line of Business Executives in one-on-one discussions
Have extensive knowledge of delivery methodologies Agile, Waterfall, RUP, Hybrid Waterfall-Agile and be able to influence the client to adopt the right approach
Have knowledge of Digital Transformation and Automation trends/tools/competition including relevant next generation technologies
Has successfully guided large escalation projects back to steady-state and achieves high client satisfaction. Communicate expeditiously and effectively all client escalations to Cognizant delivery Leadership
Demonstrated experience running deliveries across multiple service lines utilizing the global delivery model spanning on-site, near-shore, and off-shore locations
Adept in mobilizing and managing large teams for delivery
Track record of exceeding customer expectations
Display effective analytical skills and possess adequate financial expertise to ensure Program financials are within budget and in-line with the approved deal bid
BA/BS required; Master’s degree in Finance or Business preferred
Experience: 15 - 20 years of experience in handling large multiple service line delivery engagements
Candidate Screening Priorities:
Team scale of 3 – 8 direct reports and 100-200+ total team size utilizing the global delivery model
Management of programs involving multiple service lines and/or solutions in parallel (i.e. App Dev/Systems Integration, QEA, App Support, Infra/Cloud, BPO etc.)
Experience with SAP ERP implementation programs
Understanding of digital trends (data, cloud, IoT, and digital engineering) and modern digital architectures (i.e. micro services, cloud native, UX-based)
Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position whom are legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship (H-1B, L-1B, L-1A, etc.)