Director, Program Management

Company Description

NielsenIQ (NIQ) is a leader in data-driven solutions, partnering with the world’s largest brands to deliver insights that drive strategic decisions. With a global presence and deep expertise in analytics and technology, we ensure that companies stay ahead in a constantly changing marketplace. Our mission extends beyond understanding consumer behaviour; it also includes refining and optimizing our internal systems that support the NIQ company operations worldwide.

Job Description

NIQ technology initiatives, like our clients, span the globe and require leaders who can connect the dots between business strategy, technology execution, and organizational transformation. We are building a world-class Program Management organization comprised of highly motivated, analytical, and dynamic leaders who drive outcomes across Product, Technology, Operations, and Enterprise-wide Business Functions.

As a Program Director at NIQ, you will lead strategic programs and portfolios that drive business transformation, operational excellence, technology modernization, and enterprise-wide capabilities across the organization.

You will oversee a team of program managers responsible for delivering large, complex initiatives spanning multiple business functions, geographies, stakeholders, and technology domains. Success in this role requires the ability to align business and technology priorities, lead cross-functional teams, manage strategic investments, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

This role combines portfolio leadership, organizational transformation, financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and people leadership. You will partner closely with senior business and technology leaders to define priorities, remove barriers, and ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives that support NIQ's long-term objectives.

At NIQ, we empower our Program Management leaders to drive results and organizational change. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy partnering across every business function, you would be a great fit for our team.

Roles and Responsibilities

Program & Portfolio Leadership

• Coordinate between stakeholders and technology teams to develop and manage plans throughout the program lifecycle.
• Lead and mentor program managers and program leads, providing guidance, coaching, and support.
• Manage and develop a team of 4-8 Program managers or Senior Program managers, including performance management and career development.
• Develop and implement program management processes, governance frameworks, best practices, and delivery standards across the organization.
• Ensure successful delivery and tracking of portfolio and program objectives while maintaining overall program performance and value realization.
• Manage program documentation, scope changes, stakeholder communications, and governance requirements.
• Facilitate planning sessions to identify dependencies, resource constraints, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor and communicate program status, business outcomes, and portfolio performance to executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Lead portfolio reviews, governance forums, steering committees, and cross-functional planning activities.
• Proactively identify and resolve issues, risks, and dependencies that may impact successful delivery.
• Ensure appropriate operational readiness, compliance, approvals, and transition activities are completed prior to deployment.
• Lead annual and multi-year strategic planning efforts, including business case development, investment planning, budget management, and resource forecasting.
• Establish, track, and report portfolio and program metrics that enable informed decision-making and transparency.
• Collaborate with business and technology leadership to define and execute strategic initiatives aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develop and manage capital and operational budgets supporting portfolio and program objectives.
• Conduct regular executive portfolio reviews to assess delivery performance, financial health, strategic alignment, risks, and opportunities.
• Partner with leadership teams to develop and maintain multi-year business and technology roadmaps.
• Engage senior leaders in evaluating strategic priorities, investment opportunities, and long-term business objectives.
• Maintain transparent and effective communication across stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for program goals.
• Foster talent development, succession planning, and organizational growth within the program management organization.
• Promote Agile and modern delivery methodologies that improve execution, predictability, and business outcomes.

Business Transformation & Strategic Delivery

• Lead large-scale business transformation, process optimization, automation, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Partner with business executives and technology leaders to align investments, priorities, and delivery plans with organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with business, product, engineering, architecture, operations, finance, and support teams to ensure successful program execution.
• Facilitate prioritization of initiatives by balancing business value, resource capacity, risks, and organizational goals.
• Establish governance processes that provide executive visibility, accountability, risk management, and delivery oversight.
• Ensure programs deliver measurable business outcomes, operational efficiencies, compliance objectives, and user adoption goals.
• Lead organizational change management efforts that support successful adoption of new processes, technologies, and capabilities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology leaders on strategic initiatives and transformation efforts.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, consulting partners, and service providers supporting program delivery.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and execution excellence.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in program management, portfolio management, transformation leadership, or a related role leading large-scale technology and business initiatives.
• 8+ years of leadership experience managing complex programs, portfolios, and cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience leading large-scale business transformation, operational improvement, enterprise application, or technology modernization initiatives within global organizations.
• Strong understanding of enterprise business processes and operating models across functions such as Finance, Human Resources, Commercial Operations, Corporate Services, or Shared Services.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with executive business and technology leaders to define strategy, prioritize investments, and deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Experience overseeing complex initiatives involving process transformation, systems modernization, integrations, automation, data initiatives, or organizational change.
• Strong portfolio management, governance, strategic planning, and execution capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and deliver multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, negotiate, and gain alignment across organizational levels, functions, and geographies.
• Expertise in developing executive presentations and business communications using PowerPoint, Excel, and analytics tools.
• Proven ability to lead globally distributed teams and work effectively across diverse cultures and regions.
• Strong financial management experience, including business cases, budget planning, forecasting, investment management, and value realization.
• Experience managing third-party vendors, consulting partners, and external service providers.
• Practical experience with Agile delivery methodologies and organizational transformation initiatives.
• Strong leadership skills with a bias toward action, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Positive attitude, team player, self-starter, and demonstrated ability to achieve results in ambiguous environments.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience leading portfolios that support enterprise-wide business capabilities and critical operational processes.
• Experience managing large-scale transformation initiatives spanning multiple business functions and stakeholder groups.
• Familiarity with modern cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and enterprise technology environments.
• Experience working with globally distributed delivery teams and external consulting organizations.
• PMP, PgMP, Agile, SAFe, or related professional certifications.

Education

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.  All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion