Associate Director, Strategic Program Management

BD; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

BD is seeking an Associate Director, Strategic Program Management to lead cross-functional teams across complex, international projects. You will define program strategies, create detailed plans, manage budgets, and communicate milestones to BD executives, including the President of Pharmacy Automation.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and experience managing programs in matrix organizations with external partners, ensuring timely delivery and value realization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience leading complex, global programs with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with strategic business initiatives such as M&A or global product management.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional Core Team and Extended Team on business transformation projects.
• Define program strategies, work breakdown structures, and integrated project plans.
• Present milestones and progress to executives including BD leadership.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Budget management

Program management

Agile methodology

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical field

Tools

MS Project

Gantt charts

Job description

We are the people who give possibilities purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

Overview:

The Associate Director, Strategic Program Manager leads the cross-functional Core Team and Extended Team in executing all aspects of business transformation and strategic project management. Driving a balance between business strategy and acumen with strong program / project management experience.

Ideal candidates will have had experience managing complex international projects, working across in-office and remote teams both internally and externally and be comfortable working with diverse teams.

The Associate Director, Strategic Program Management is responsible for defining program strategies, creation of project work breakdown structures, integrated project plans, project charters/contracts and all elements that comprise strategic program management. They manage progress against plan, manage the project budget, identifies project risks and develops plans to mitigate those risks.

The Associate Director will also be responsible for regularly presenting project milestones and progress to executive leaders within the BD business and segment – including the President of Pharmacy Automation.

Key responsibilities

• Collaborate with 3rd party partners on critical product and business project needs.
• Communicate clear deliverables and project timing required for 3rd party partners to ensure project timelines and requirements are met to keep project on track.
• Partner closely with the upstream marketing platform to define and identify key product needs and deliverables.
• Lead complex initiatives working with internal and external functional and multifunctional teams. Modifies methodologies and procedures as applicable to the project for quicker, validated results.
• Define program resource needs and project plans necessary to execute the required and prioritized work.
• Lead the effort to prepare the project contracts, TPP, business cases, etc. as appropriate to communicate and influence leadership to ensure the appropriate cross functional Core Team resources are assigned to the portfolio priorities and committed by cross functional organizational leadership.
• Ensure governance mechanisms, such as core team meetings and commercial excellence and industrialization reviews are undertaken in a timely, comprehensive, and effective manner.
• Identify and manage project risks and issues, ensuring their timely mitigation and resolution with impacted functions/stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical field
• Experience: Minimum 8+ years of experience successfully leading complex, global, multi-year product development programs delivered through cross-functional teams in a matrix organization, or equivalent experience across product management and program management roles
• Strategic Business Acumen: Demonstrated experience in strategic roles, including business integrations, M&A, strategic business development, corporate strategy, or global product management
• Agile Methodology: Understanding and hands-on experience with agile concepts including Daily Standup, Sprint Planning, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Reviews, and PI Planning
• Program Management: Demonstrated experience with milestone-based program planning including Gantt chart planning, risk register management, and project execution
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Proven ability to lead and demonstrated exceptional influencing skills with the ability to achieve challenging goals through others without direct authority across all functions, various levels of the organization, external partners, geographies, and cultures
• 3rd Party Experience: Previous experience working with OEM, external manufacturing partners influence cross-functional teams without direct authority in a matrix organization
• Budget Management: Track record of managing project budgets and delivering programs on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills with ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Quality & Regulatory: Understanding of quality management systems and regulatory requirements in product development
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Demonstrated analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Education: MBA or other advanced business/technical/management degree highly preferred
• Industry Experience: Experience in pharmacy automation, medical devices, or healthcare technology sectors
• Technical Expertise: Experience leading hardware and software integrated products, particularly in automation, robotics, or dispensing systems
• Complex Systems: Experience with complex technology portfolios including storage and dispensing robots, pouch packagers, vial filling systems, blister card production systems, central fill solutions, and enterprise software
• Certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional), Agile/Scrum certifications, or Six Sigma certification
• Scale of Programs: Experience managing programs with varying degrees of size, cost, complexity, and risk, particularly multimillion-dollar initiatives

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.

We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face‑to‑face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Primary Work Location

USA NC - Durham - Roche Drive