Strategic Program Manager (f/m/x) Technology & Innovation - Fixed Term (2 Years)

ZEISS Group; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ZEISS Group is seeking a versatile professional to translate strategy into actionable projects across a global technology leader. You will shape strategic technology initiatives, coordinate cross-functional programs, and drive events, governance, and transformation activities that deliver measurable impact.

You will work with leaders and stakeholders to prepare analyses, roadmaps, and decisions, while fostering a structured, collaborative culture and leveraging modern tools like SharePoint.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, business, technology, innovation management, or a comparable qualification.
• 2–3 years of experience in project management, governance support, stakeholder alignment, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong analytical thinking with excellent problem-solving and structuring capabilities.
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Proactive, collaborative, and execution-focused mindset.
• Experience in knowledge management, community building, and digital collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint).
• Experience with technology roadmapping, strategic planning, and portfolio-oriented thinking.
• High degree of technical affinity and openness to AI-enabled ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate strategic technology, innovation, and transformation initiatives across ZEISS.
• Design and coordinate innovation events, community activities, and communication initiatives.
• Drive projects and cross-functional activities from planning to execution, ensuring actions and decisions are implemented.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, steering committees, and stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations, identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities to support informed decision-making.
• Shape and improve strategic tools, processes, and digital collaboration platforms.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder alignment

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Execution-focused mindset

Knowledge management

Digital collaboration platforms

Roadmapping

Strategic planning

Portfolio thinking

AI-enabled ways of working

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, business, technology, innovation management

Tools

SharePoint

Job description

Your Role

Experience the innovation power of a global technology leader. Join a dynamic, stable, and future-oriented environment where you can shape impactful solutions and drive meaningful change. We offer a modern workplace, an open and inspiring culture, and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate and talented colleagues. You will play a key role in shaping and driving strategic technology and transformation initiatives across ZEISS. You will provide structure, transparency, and coordination in complex, cross-functional environments while supporting leaders, experts, and stakeholders in turning ideas into impact

Your tasks:

• Coordinate strategic technology, innovation, and transformation initiatives across ZEISS
• Design and coordinate innovation events, community activities, and communication initiatives
• Drive projects and cross-functional activities from planning to execution, ensuring that agreed actions and decisions are implemented
• Organize and facilitate workshops, steering committees, and stakeholder engagements
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations, identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities to support informed decision-making.
• Shape and improve strategic tools, processes, and digital collaboration platforms

Your Profile

You are passionate about turning strategy into action and thrive in complex, cross-functional environments. You enjoy bringing structure to ambiguity, connecting stakeholders, and driving initiatives from concept to execution

What you bring:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, business, technology, innovation management, or a comparable qualification
• 2-3 years of experience in project management, governance support, stakeholder alignment, and cross-functional collaboration
• Strong analytical thinking with excellent problem-solving and structuring capabilities
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
• A proactive, collaborative, and execution-focused mindset
• Experience in knowledge management, community building, and digital collaboration platforms, for example SharePoint or comparable tool
• Experience with technology roadmapping, strategic planning, and portfolio-oriented thinking
• A high degree of technical affinity and openness to modern technologies, including practical experience with or a strong interest in AI-supported ways of working.

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Friederike Kirklar-Harms