ZS is a professional services firm that works side by side with companies to help develop and deliver products that drive customer value and company results. From R&D to portfolio strategy, customer insights, marketing and sales strategy, operations and technology, we leverage our deep industry expertise and leading-edge analytics to create solutions that work in the real world. Our most valuable asset is our people-a fact that's reflected in our values-driven organization in which new perspectives are integral and new ideas are celebrated. ZSers are passionately committed to helping companies and their customers thrive in industries ranging from healthcare and life sciences, to high-tech, financial services, travel and transportation, and beyond.
ZS's Program Management Office provides planning, delivery, and governance expertise to a wide range of clients and internal stakeholders. Our global organization is comprised of team-oriented, pragmatic, and results-driven people who thrive on solving challenging problems and driving the implementation of critical solutions. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, but share a passion for ensuring successful delivery of planned outcomes for our customers - both external clients as well as internal practice areas and industry verticals
Program Manager
This position will be part of a client-facing team engaged in strategic initiatives. It is an integral part of the firm's strategy to build scalability and efficiently deliver program management capabilities. This role will partner with senior leadership and delivery teams to lead program planning and execution across various functions, driving programs to achieve mission-critical outcomes for our clients. The Sr. Consultant will integrate multiple stakeholders, complicated data dependencies, and intersecting workstreams across large-scale transformation projects. Critical factors to success in this role include program planning and execution, milestone tracking, financial management, SLA compliance, and benefits management.
Responsibilities:
Program Planning
Lead end to end planning and execution across 1 or more workstreams for a large engagement with multiple projects and workstreams

• Provide leadership to setup a robust PMO framework for effective delivery and execution
• Provide work stream directoin and establish governance model for effective and efficient outcome
• Identify areas of complexity within the program, and proactively engage with stakeholders to define success criteria and direction to address challenges, pivoting as needed to achieve successful outcomes
• Participate and lead unstructured problem solving with the team and client on issues which arise during the course of a large program

Program Execution

• Lead program delivery for key workstreams across strategic initiatives, drive the program activities to ensure the program generates early traction and maintains forward momentum
• Works with other functional leaders to define, prioritize, and develop projects and programs
• Enables successful delivery of the client engagements
• Continuously seeks areas of opportunities to improve project management practices and add value to teams
• Conducts weekly / periodic meetings with all PMOs and project leads
• Advise leadership and/or business leaders about the project portfolio, status and resource planning for delivering strategic business Initiatives
• Manage PMO space or program budgets and resource allocations and ensure that the scope and budget are in control
• Ensures that project status, issues and successes are communicated and documented
• Responsible for coordinating project review meetings with the PMO or project team and business review meetings with senior project and client leadership
• Perform regular project performance updates (e.g., financials, utilization, SLA metrics)
• Responsible for PMO processes and tools (e. g, project charter, Decision Logs, ticket management system, issue management, communication and reporting, knowledge management, etc.)

Risk Management

• Manage risk management processes, proactively identify and highlight risks and develop appropriate contingency plans, or escalate as needed
• Document any program or business risks that could impact the overall health of the engagement, and mitigate by helping them create and track robust mitigation plans

Team Management

• Lead junior PMO team members engaged in the program
• Responsible for mentoring junior PMO team members and providing the direction required for meeting the project objectives

Client Management

• Partner with senior program leaders and client stakeholders to plan, and lead key initiatives
• Build a strong network and relationships with key client stakeholders
• Add value by incorporating best of the class practices, models, ideas
• Engage with client counterparts on delivery or project management issues, including tools/processes that are jointly led by ZS and client
• Work directly with client counterparts to update and share performance summaries (financials, utilization, SLA metrics) with key stakeholders
• Collaborate with the client team to set up meetings, workshops & seminars.

Qualifications:

• Graduate with 7-12 years plus of experience in Project Management, or a Post Graduate with an MBA or other relevant advanced degree with 5 years plus of experience in Project Management
• Prior experience with program and PMO activity for large business transformations, or, implementation of Digital strategy; experience managing large PMO vertical and client accounts
• Experience in large scale transformation programs with multiple stakeholders, complicated data dependencies, intersecting workstreams, project Change Management
• Thorough understanding of project management phases, techniques and tools & reporting
• Ability to work in Agile, Waterfall and hybrid methodologies
• Strong knowledge of PMI and Agile project management standards and terminologies. PMI/PMP, Prince2, or Agile certification desired
• Experience managing multiple projects at once and ensuring priority of issues and risks
• Understands projects KPIs and SLAs
• Understands the prioritizes and able to escalates where necessary and help prepare a risk mitigation plan
• Strong ability to implement processes, excellent oral and written communication skills, leadership skills and self-motivation, polished interpersonal skills, customer focus
• Proactive, identifies opportunities/challenges and takes initiative
• Comfortable with ambiguity and willing to roll up his/her sleeves to achieve project success, thrives on unstructured projects and problem-solving

ZS is a global consulting firm. Fluency in English is required; additional fluency in at least one European or Asian language is desirable.
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment. An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
ZS offers a competitive compensation package with salary and bonus incentives, complete medical/dental/life insurance programs and retirement savings benefits. ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
ZS is committed to providing and maintaining a safe workplace. Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination will be required. Religious/Medical Exemptions can be requested on a limited basis upon hire.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.