Senior Director, Enterprise Project Managemen

Summary

The Senior Director, Enterprise Project Management Office is a leadership role within the Information Technology department and will be responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, execution, and delivery of all enterprise-wide programs, initiatives, and projects. It is critical that the Senior Director, Enterprise Project Management Office has proven experience in successfully executing transformational initiatives with a heavy focus on Information Technology and an understanding of an environment that embraces Agile execution principles. The Senior Director, Enterprise Project Management Office will lead a direct team of program managers, project managers, business analysts, in addition to an indirect matrixed team of business unit subject matter experts, and external vendors.

The Senior Director, Enterprise Project Management Office will be responsible for establishing a strong matrixed enterprise project office that incorporates agile methodologies to demonstrate tactical flexibility, delivers predictably to cost & schedules, drives cross functional initiatives across AORs to achieve enterprise objectives, publishes & maintains well understood product and project management processes, and operates with well-defined roles & responsibilities, including decision making frameworks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with senior executives and the enterprise project office to develop roadmaps for enterprise programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with business unit partners and corporate support teams to drive enterprise strategy execution, and support business-specific integration programs and projects.
• Work with business leaders to properly identify and scope out programs & projects, involve appropriate stakeholders, prepare proper documentation to present to a designated oversight committee and communicate prioritization decisions accordingly.
• Manages the relationships with strategic IT vendor partners to ensure continuity of service delivery that meet the pre-established program and initiative expected outcomes.
• Participate in the oversight committee to assist in the prioritization, project capacity and resource planning processes.
• Provide governance and strategic oversight of initiatives, including ensuring the quality of the deliverables, project success criteria, project management plans, RACIs, and project delivery KPIs.
• Implement standard tools and processes for proper program planning, project planning, and execution across all AORs.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies for all enterprise programs and associated project delivery.
• Develop actionable view of program activities including any associated work breakdown and roadmap of key milestones.
• Partners with business unit senior leadership to develop key business metrics and KPIs to baseline and measure the achievement of enterprise program initiatives and projects.
• Establish strategies to continuously improve the program and project management capabilities across the Enterprise Project Office team and the broader organization. This may include talent assessment, conducting training sessions, identifying relevant external training programs, and providing on-going coaching.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Project Management Certification is preferred.
• 15+ years of successful experience with Enterprise Portfolio, Program, and Project Management or related functions in an automotive, automotive F&I, or financial services organization.
• 10+ years of successful management experience working with Information Technology enterprise programs, projects, resources, and leadership in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Certified Scrum Master or similar certification a plus.
• Experience with software conversions, large system implementations, and mergers and acquisitions required.
• Automotive F&I experience a plus.
• Proven enterprise program and project management experience and discipline in complex situations.
• Work experience with management experience in an enterprise program office or enterprise project office, and oversight of a staff of program/project managers.
• Information Technology expertise including systems implementation, AI implementation, and working knowledge of technology-to-business impact.

• Lean and six sigma certifications, a plus.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Proven ability to manage and lead program managers, project managers, and/or scrum leaders, providing effective coaching and development to enhance their skills and performance.
• Demonstrated success in fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated skill in managing matrixed team focused on large complex initiatives.

• Strong financial aptitude.

• Expert understanding of business structures, interrelationships, and sensitivity analyses.

Skills

• Successful leadership experience with a with a keen focus on dealer, lender, and customer satisfaction. Dedicated to understanding and meeting stakeholder needs, both inside and outside the company.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, to include unfavorable situations.
• Innovative thinking with ability to mobilize ideas into action.
• Ability to package, present, and "tell the story" to executive leadership.
• Proven ability to develop meaningful KPIs and use these to drive desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, develop, socialize to get buy in, and implement process improvements.
• Excellent managerial and leadership skills with the capacity to motivate, influence, and achieve outcomes within a geographically distributed matrixed team.
• Proven ability to evaluate alternative courses of action and make sound management decisions in ambiguous and sometimes unfavorable conditions.
• Must be able to simultaneously manage multiple tasks of varying complexity, priority, and ambiguity.
• Adaptive thinking and a strong critical thinking mindset.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to share complex, technical topics clearly, concisely, effectively, and professionally.
• Proven ability to effectively influence at all levels of the organization.
• Must be highly analytical, process oriented, collaborative, and creative.
• Demonstrated ability to manage in ambiguity and demonstrate grit and perseverance in unfavorable conditions while maintaining a professional approach.
• Must be intrinsically motivated (cannot require constant support/supervision).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to type and look at a computer screen for long periods of the day. Occasional travel, including overnight, will be required, up to 40%.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Note

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the responsibilities and the job qualifications of the position.

Employee Date_____________

Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO) is a Drug Free Workplace as well as an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants shall be considered for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.