Global Program Manager

Smurfit Westrock; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in packaging solutions is seeking a Global Program Manager to drive large-scale, cross-regional initiatives. The role involves managing complex IT programs, ensuring alignment among regional teams, and overseeing program financials. Ideal candidates will have 7-10 years of program management experience, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and knowledge of Agile methodologies. The position is based in Liverpool and offers an attractive salary and career growth opportunities within an exciting global company.

Benefits

Comprehensive training opportunities

Attractive salary reflecting skills

Corporate culture fostering integrity and respect

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in IT program management within a global scope.
• Experience leading large-scale infrastructure or enterprise IT programs.
• Hands-on experience with program management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead global programs, aligning regional delivery teams with business needs.
• Develop and maintain program roadmaps and success metrics.
• Oversee financial management through budget consolidation.

Skills

IT program management

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Agile methodologies

Complex problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or business

Tools

ServiceNow

Azure DevOps

Job description

Overview

The Global Program Manager, Program & Project Delivery is responsible for orchestrating and driving large-scale, cross-regional initiatives across the enterprise. Acting as the connection point between the regional project management organizations (North America/LATAM and EMEA/APAC) and global leadership, this role ensures alignment, governance, and delivery excellence. The Global Program Manager partners directly with business executives, IT leaders, and regional program managers, serving as a visible face of delivery for high-priority global programs. This position requires a proven leader who thrives in complex environments, brings structured program oversight, and influences across geographies, cultures, and business units to achieve transformational outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Strategically lead multiple global programs, aligning regional delivery teams and ensuring business unit needs are integrated into end-to-end outcomes.
• Act as the executive-facing lead for major global initiatives, representing Infrastructure & Service with senior business stakeholders and IT leadership.
• Develop and maintain program roadmaps, success metrics, and delivery strategies at the global and business unit level, ensuring measurable results.
• Integrate regional program activity into a cohesive global view, ensuring dependencies, risks, and milestones are proactively managed.
• Drive governance rigor and transparency through global reporting, standardized dashboards, and timely executive updates.
• Oversee financial management of programs, consolidating regional budgets and forecasts into global rollups with accountability to stakeholders.
• Foster collaboration across regions by partnering with product owners, program/project managers, and technical leads to resolve conflicts and optimize delivery.
• Mentor and guide program and project managers within the regions, promoting consistency, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Champion agility, accountability, and outcomes across PPD, embedding best practices into how we deliver at a global scale.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in IT program and portfolio management with global/regional scope.
• Strong track record leading large-scale infrastructure or enterprise IT programs, including networking and modernization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of program and project management disciplines, including Agile, hybrid, and traditional delivery models.
• Hands-on experience with ServiceNow for portfolio/program management and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence executive stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
• Exceptional ability to navigate complex interdependencies across technology, business, and geographic boundaries.
• Strong financial management skills, with experience owning and managing multi-million dollar budgets.
• Ability to travel internationally as needed to support program delivery and executive engagement.
• Based locally in Atlanta (USA), Liverpool (UK), or Breda (NL).
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to engage at all levels of the organization.
• Bachelor's degree in information technology, business, or related field.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Credentialed in one or more program/project management disciplines (PMP, PgMP, Prince2).
• Certified in Agile or Lean methodologies (e.g., PMI-ACP, CSM, SAFe SPC).
• Familiarity with ITIL/ITSM practices and enterprise portfolio governance.
• Experience with ALM and reporting tools such as Azure DevOps, Smartsheet, or equivalent.
• Proven ability to integrate Agile delivery with enterprise PMO frameworks.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a passion for developing and mentoring teams.

About Smurfit Westrock

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE: SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers, and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.

Our technology organization is transforming how we work at Smurfit Westrock. We align with our businesses to deliver innovative solutions that:

• Address specific business challenges, integrate processes, and create great experiences
• Connect our work to shared goals that propel Smurfit Westrock forward in the Digital Age
• Imagine how technology can advance the way we work by using disruptive technology

We are looking for forward-thinking technologists who can accelerate our focus areas, such as building stronger foundational technology capabilities, reducing complexity, employing digital transformation concepts, and leveraging disruptive technology. The opportunity: Smurfit Westrock's Program & Project Delivery (PPD) team brings together passionate IT Infrastructure & Service professionals who design, implement, and support the critical systems, platforms, and services powering a 24×7 global enterprise. From advanced automation to seamless regional delivery, our team ensures reliable, secure, and scalable technology for the business.

• Corporate culture based on loyalty, integrity, & respect.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety, and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

Smurfit Westrock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create and maintain a diverse workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Smurfit Westrock does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.