Head of Program Management

Location

Berlin

Contract

Full time

Job Category

Project & Program Management

**ABOUT THE TEAM**:
The Global Program Management Organization (PMO) helps Zalando achieve its strategy by driving the intake and successful delivery of Zalando’s most impactful, collaborative, and technically complex initiatives. In order to deliver against the organisational ambitions and goals, we steer the complexity and challenges around prioritisation, ranking and transparency while owning the process. Our organisation with its Leadership, Portfolio Managers, Program Managers, and Project Managers ensure these initiatives are driven to successful delivery across services, products, business units and teams in the organisation.

**THE ROLE**:
**WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)**:

- Leadership & Vision
Strategic Thinking: Responsible for aligning program goals with the organisation’s long-term vision and strategic objectives. Capable of translating high-level strategy into actionable plans for program managers. Inspiring Leadership: Demonstrate strong leadership qualities to inspire and motivate program managers and their teams. Provide clear direction, support, and mentorship to program managers. Make yourself accountable for strengthening the talent across the company, actively contribute to hiring, developing and retaining talent that will make us better, and you support building succession plans for your team. Adapt your leadership style to support your team and build trust, delegate to empower your team giving them freedom while being available for guidance and advice, and help your team navigate through uncertainty and change. Diversity & Inclusion: Promote and support diversity and inclusion within the program management team and across programs. Create an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated. Ethical Standards: Uphold high ethical standards and integrity in all program management activities. Ensure programs are conducted with transparency and accountability.
- Program Management Expertise
Comprehensive Knowledge: Showcase a deep understanding of program management principles, methodologies, and best practices. Experience in managing large, complex programs across multiple domains or industries. Risk Management: Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across multiple programs. Ability to establish a risk management culture and processes among program managers.
- Operational Excellence
Resource Management: Expertise in resource planning and allocation to ensure optimal use of human, financial, and technological resources. Ability to balance resource constraints and prioritise programs effectively. Performance Monitoring: Skills in setting and monitoring KPIs, metrics, and performance indicators to track program success and drive continuous improvement. Proficient in using portfolio management tools and software for performance tracking.
- Stakeholder Management
Engagement & Communication: Strong communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels, including executives and team members. Ability to represent the organisation’s interests and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders. Foster strong relationships with key partners to enhance collaboration and project success. Conflict Resolution: Competence in resolving conflicts and negotiating between stakeholders with differing priorities and interests.
- Innovation and Continuous Improvement. Drive a culture of innovation within the organisation, encouraging the exploration of new ideas and technologies. Continuously evaluate and improve program management processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Financial Acumen
Budget Management: Proficiency in budgeting, financial planning, and financial management of large-scale programs. Ability to ensure programs are delivered within budget constraints and achieve financial targets. Cost Benefit Analysis: Skills in conducting cost-benefit analyses to make informed decisions about program investments and prioritizations.
- Change Management
Adaptability: Ability to manage and drive change within the organisation, ensuring smooth transitions and mínimal disruption. Expertise in implementing change management frameworks and practices. Innovation & Improvement: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and innovation among program managers.
- Team Development
Mentorship & Coaching: Provide mentorship and coaching to program managers to develop their skills and competencies. Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment. Talent Management: Identify and develop talent within the program management team, ensuring a pipeline of capable leaders.
- Governance & Compliance
Governance Frameworks: Implement and oversee governance frameworks to ensure programs are managed according to organisational policies and industry standards. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies. Audit & Review: Conduc