Director, Program Management

Job 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. 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 transf