Associate Program Manager (COO's Office)

Job description

**Associate Program Manager** **COO's Office | Zolo** **Drive execution. Bring structure. Ensure business priorities get delivered.** **Why this role exists** Zolo is growing across multiple business units. As the business scales, success depends not only on making the right decisions but also on ensuring those decisions are executed consistently across teams. Every business unit has multiple initiatives running simultaneously. Projects involve different stakeholders, timelines, dependencies, and priorities. Without strong program management: - Projects lose momentum - Timelines slip - Dependencies get missed - Teams work in silos - Leadership spends time following up instead of driving strategy Every organization needs a single accountable owner who ensures business priorities move from discussion to execution. This role exists to drive cross-functional programs, maintain execution discipline, provide visibility to leadership, and ensure business initiatives are delivered on time. If the Associate Program Manager is strong: - Projects move faster - Teams stay aligned - Risks are identified early - Leadership has complete visibility - Execution becomes predictable If the Associate Program Manager is weak: - Projects get delayed - Follow-ups become reactive - Dependencies are missed - Decisions don't translate into execution This role directly controls: **Execution discipline + cross-functional alignment + business visibility** **Your mandate is clear** - Drive execution across multiple business initiatives - Coordinate stakeholders across business units - Track project timelines, dependencies, and risks - Provide structured visibility to leadership - Ensure action items are closed within committed timelines - Bring discipline, accountability, and consistency to execution This is not a coordination role. **It is an execution ownership role.** **About Zolo** Finding dependable accommodation has historically been fragmented and inconsistent. People settled for compromises because the system offered few trustworthy options. Zolo reimagined living and hospitality as a connected journey. Zolo Coliving simplifies urban living. Z Vacations enables meaningful travel experiences. Z Hotels serves the modern traveler with consistency, warmth, and operational discipline. Today, over 100,000 people trust Zolo across different phases of life. Our ambition is to build the most trusted living and hospitality ecosystem for the new generation by partnering deeply with property owners who think long term. **What you will be responsible for** **1. Drive Strategic Projects** - Own end-to-end execution of business initiatives across multiple business units - Translate leadership decisions into actionable plans - Define milestones, timelines, and deliverables - Track progress and ensure projects move forward - Drive closure of committed action items **2. Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management** - Coordinate with business leaders and functional teams - Ensure alignment across departments - Identify dependencies and remove execution bottlenecks - Facilitate structured review meetings - Drive accountability across stakeholders **3. Program Tracking & Governance** - Maintain project plans and execution trackers - Monitor timelines and project health - Identify risks proactively - Escalate critical issues with recommendations - Ensure governance mechanisms remain effective **4. Business Reviews & Leadership Reporting** - Prepare dashboards and executive updates - Track KPIs across business initiatives - Present structured progress reports - Support leadership reviews with meaningful insights - Ensure leadership always has complete visibility **5. Problem Solving & Process Improvement** - Identify inefficiencies in execution - Recommend process improvements - Standardize project management practices - Drive continuous improvement across programs - Support implementation of new initiatives **6. Execution Discipline** - Follow up relentlessly until commitments are delivered - Ensure ownership is clearly defined - Maintain documentation and decision logs - Create a culture of accountability and timely execution - Drive operational excellence across projects **What success looks like after 6–12 months** - Strategic initiatives are delivered within agreed timelines - Cross-functional teams remain aligned - Leadership has complete visibility into business priorities - Project risks are identified and mitigated proactively - Review meetings become action-oriented - Execution becomes structured, predictable, and disciplined - The COO spends less time following up and more time driving strategy **Who this role is for** You will likely thrive here if: - You enjoy bringing structure to ambiguity - You naturally take ownership of execution - You are highly organized and detail-oriented - You enjoy solving business problems - You communicate confidently with senior stakeholders - You can manage multiple priorities simultaneously - You are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment **Experience we value** - 2–5 years of experience in Program Management, Business Operations, Strategy, Project Management, Consulting, PMO, Founder’s Office, or similar roles - Experience managing cross-functional projects - Strong analytical and problem-solving ability - Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills - Advanced Excel and presentation skills - Exposure to project management tools is an advantage - Industry experience is less important. **Ownership, structured thinking, and execution excellence are critical.** **The impact you will have** - You will directly influence the speed and quality of execution across the organization. - You will help leadership translate strategy into measurable outcomes. - You will improve alignment across business units. - You will enable better decision-making through structured reporting and visibility. - You will become a trusted executio