Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager

The Senior Program Manager will manage a high-impact strategic initiative to transform payroll systems, processes, and the operating model across Europe. This role is critical in ensuring the successful execution of program goals, serving as the central point of accountability, and driving alignment across cross-functional teams including HR, IT, Finance, Compliance, and external vendors. The Senior Program Manager will oversee governance, manage risks, and engage stakeholders to deliver program outcomes that meet organizational objectives.

Program Management:

• Central POC for Program Execution: serve as the central point of accountability, overseeing all program activities and integrating efforts from HR, IT, finance, procurement, and vendors. Serve as the program management counterpart to the Program Lead Director.
• Strategic Direction: Provide strategic guidance to IT and SI-Partner/ Vendor project management resources to ensure alignment with program goals and delivery commitments.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensure cross-functional teams (payroll, IT, HR, compliance, etc.) are aligned and collaborating effectively toward shared program goals.
• Establish and manage the PMO framework, ensuring robust governance, documentation, and communication processes, while providing tools, templates, and best practices to support consistent and effective program execution.
• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program success, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and drive data-informed decisions for continuous improvement.

Technical Responsibilities:

• Develop program charters and management plans. Direct, manage, monitor, and control programs. Identify, optimize, and maintain inter-program synergy. Evaluate tradeoffs across programs.
• Develop, optimize, and manage inter-program timelines. Analyze and address critical path, major workstreams, and intersecting milestones. Own the program schedule.
• Create program budgets with cross-functional managers and directors. Optimize, monitor, and maintain costs within budget. Drive project cost efficiencies.
• Partner with project teams to create program Quality Plans, using a multitude of quality planning tools and techniques. Monitor and maintain plans. Mentor others in quality excellence.
• Develop a risk management plan for the program(s). Identify, analyze, and understand project risks, develop and monitor a risk response plan. Mentor others in risk management practices.
• Support the Program Director to manage vendor contracts, SOWs, and relationships to ensure deliverables align with program objectives, holding vendors accountable as needed.
• Estimate, acquire and assign cross functional program resources. Leverage resources across programs. Define the role, responsibility, and deliverables for each team member. Provide direct feedback to functional managers and directors on performance reviews. Coach and mentor team members and functional managers. Recruit and onboard staff; participate on hiring teams for cross-functional groups. May recruit, hire, onboard, manage, and develop direct staff.
• Develop stakeholder relationships and strategies for effective management across broad range of expectations and requirements.
• Develop and Execute communications management plan for program teams and key stakeholders.  Partner with the OCM workstream to ensure seamless communication across the program. Create and influence best practices for divisional communications management.

Knowledge and Capabilities:

• Builds successful working relationships with internal and external personnel in various departments. Understands quality system(s).
• High in emotional intelligence and stays calm under pressure. Adept in conflict resolution.
• Drives results in support of the business, even in the face of demanding timelines. Steps up to take on additional responsibility where appropriate
• Can influence without direct authority in a way that makes others want to be on their team.
• Incorporates end-user feedback to refine scope through the project lifecycle and can communicate changes, updates, and decisions to key stakeholders
• Can understand and communicate how goals fit into broader organizational goals and prioritize tasks/schedule accordingly.
• Keeps the customer at the heart of what we do.
• Exercises good judgment and can weigh benefits and risk to make solid decisions despite ambiguity.
• Growth mindset – ability to learn quickly and adapt to a changing environment.
• Ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities, especially for transformation projects.
• Problem Solving - Proactively address challenges and roadblocks to maintain program momentum.
• Attention to Detail - Ensure accuracy and quality in program deliverables and reporting.
• Ability to work across geographies and time zones, managing cultural differences, and leveraging global expertise.

What you will need:

Required:

• BS or equivalent (MS and/or MBA preferred)
• 10+ years of work experience

Preferred:

• PMP or PgMP or equivalent preferred
• Extensive experience in program management, including large-scale cross-functional initiatives
• Familiarity with transformation programs is highly desirable

What we offer:

• Flat hierarchies and responsibility. Through flat hierarchies, we strengthen the initiative and willingness of our employees to take over responsible tasks.
• We grow talent. At Stryker we offer great personal and internal career development for our employees, with the possibility to make both vertical and lateral position movement.
• Team spirit & engagement. We create engaged and inclusive teams that encourage colleagues to share their diverse perspectives and opinions.
• Competitive salary and Benefits. With us, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with your job.
• Recognition of your performance. At our company, outstanding individual and cross-functional team performance is rewarded. Ideas, projects, or other exceptional achievements can be submitted for various awards on a local and global level.
• Stryker Women's Network (SWN). The SWN is committed to an open and modern corporate culture that fosters the development of talented and dedicated women. SWN is open to all employees and strongly advocates an inclusive work environment.