Principal Program Manager

J.D. Power • Troy, NY

2d • $110,000 - $155,000 • Remote

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Principal Program Manager to lead our most complex and strategically important enterprise-wide transformation initiatives. This is a senior-level role that requires strategic thinking, excellent stakeholder management, and the ability to drive clarity and results in ambiguous, high-stakes environments. This role will work closely with executives and senior leaders across the organization to translate strategic priorities into integrated programs, establish effective governance, and ensure our critical initiatives deliver measurable business value. You will be a trusted program leader who sets the standard for execution excellence while coaching others. The ideal candidate for this role is … The ideal candidate is an accomplished program leader who combines strategic perspective with strong execution discipline. You are a skilled influencer and relationship builder who can navigate organizational complexity and build alignment among senior stakeholders. You are results-oriented, analytically rigorous, and bring a proven track record of delivering large-scale transformation programs. You demonstrate executive presence, systems thinking, and the ability to mentor other program managers while driving operational excellence across multiple workstreams.

Requirements

• 8+ years of program or project management experience, with demonstrated progression leading increasingly complex transformation initiatives such as M&A integration, enterprise reorganization, or large-scale technology implementations.
• Proven success leading multi-workstream programs that span business functions and require alignment across senior leadership teams.
• Strong executive presence with demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively with VP and C-suite stakeholders in complex organizations.
• Expertise in establishing program governance structures, integrated planning frameworks, and value realization tracking approaches.
• Advanced proficiency with program management tools (Smartsheet, Asana, Jira, MS Project) and visualization platforms (Miro, Lucidchart, Tableau, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated experience creating strategic roadmaps, integrated dashboards, process maps, and executive presentation materials.
• Strong business acumen with ability to connect program activities to strategic objectives and financial outcomes.
• Skilled at bringing structure to ambiguity and driving progress in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and build consensus among senior cross-functional stakeholders
• Proven success presenting to executives and creating materials that inform strategic decisions
• Experience with enterprise systems implementations and understanding of technology integration challenges (Salesforce, NetSuite, Workday, SAP, etc.)
• Financial literacy including budget management, business case development, and ROI analysis
• Experience mentoring program managers and establishing program management standards

Nice To Haves

• PMP, PgMP, or Agile certifications strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Program Leadership – Lead end-to-end planning and execution of complex, multi-year transformation programs spanning brand evolution, technology integration, operating model changes, and organizational culture.
• Senior Stakeholder Management – Partner directly with VPs and C-suite executives to frame decisions, facilitate alignment, and ensure executive steering committees have the insights needed to guide program direction.
• Cross-Portfolio Integration – Drive coordination across Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Finance, HR, and Operations to manage interdependencies, resolve conflicts, and maintain momentum across interconnected workstreams.
• Enterprise Systems Oversight – Provide strategic oversight of major platform implementations (ERP, CRM, HCM, data systems), ensuring business requirements drive technology decisions and integration delivers expected capabilities.
• Change Management Strategy – Collaborate with HR and Communications leadership to design and execute comprehensive change strategies that drive adoption, build organizational capability, and ensure cultural alignment.
• Executive Communication – Develop strategic program roadmaps, integrated dashboards, value tracking frameworks, and executive-ready materials that provide clear visibility into progress, risks, and critical decisions.
• Risk & Issue Resolution – Proactively identify program-level risks, bottlenecks, and strategic dependencies; develop and implement mitigation strategies that protect business outcomes.
• Program Standards & Mentorship – Establish program management best practices, mentor program and project managers, and elevate the quality of program delivery across the organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed