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

Carl Zeiss AG; Oberkochen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Carl Zeiss AG is seeking a strategic technology and transformation professional to drive initiatives across ZEISS. You will shape, coordinate, and execute cross-functional projects, preparing analyses and actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

The role emphasizes innovation management, governance support, and facilitation of workshops with a proactive, execution-focused mindset. Join a global tech leader in a dynamic, collaborative environment.

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 problem-solving and structuring abilities.
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Proactive, collaborative, execution-focused mindset.
• Experience with knowledge management and digital collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint).
• Experience with technology roadmapping, strategic planning, and portfolio thinking.
• High technical affinity and openness to AI-powered working methods.

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; implement agreed actions.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, steering committees, and stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations; identify risks and opportunities for informed decisions.
• Shape and improve strategic tools, processes, and digital collaboration platforms.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Facilitation

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

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

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That’s just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people. In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together. Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.