Associate Program Director - Technology/Digital Transformation

FlagshipKansas.Tech; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant seeks an Associate Program Director – Technology/Digital Transformation to lead complex technology transformation programs, collaborating with executive stakeholders and delivery teams to drive outcomes. This remote role in the United States offers flexibility while ensuring impact on modernization initiatives.

You’ll define, track, and deliver business outcomes, partner with sales and account teams, and provide leadership across engagements to foster collaboration and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in management consulting, program management, technology consulting, or transformation leadership.
• Proven experience leading large, enterprise-scale technology programs and client engagements.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, Agile delivery frameworks, and organizational change management practices.
• Experience managing client relationships and executive-level stakeholder communications.
• Demonstrated success managing program financials, resource planning, budgets, and delivery governance.
• Strong facilitation, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to create and present executive-level presentations and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale programs and strategic initiatives, ensuring delivery of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and outcomes.
• Serve as primary contact and escalation point for client engagements with executive stakeholders.
• Define, track, and manage business outcomes delivering measurable client value.
• Partner with sales, pre-sales, and account teams to identify new opportunities and growth.
• Lead governance, communications, risk management, and change management activities.
• Develop SOWs, change requests, proposals, and other client-facing deliverables.
• Facilitate workshops, roadmap discussions, and strategy sessions with stakeholders.
• Translate business requirements into actionable project plans and user stories.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to consulting teams.

Skills

Program leadership

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Change management

Executive communication

Budget & finance management

Facilitation

Executive presentations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / Information Systems / Management / Business

Tools

ServiceNow

Workday

Oracle Cloud

Jira

Job description

at Cognizant in Topeka, Kansas, United States

Job Description

Associate Program Director – Technology/Digital Transformation

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job ID: 00069718771

About the role

As a Program Principal, you will make an impact by leading complex technology transformation programs that help clients achieve strategic business outcomes and accelerate modernization initiatives. You will be a valued member of our Consulting and Transformation Practice and work collaboratively with executive stakeholders, delivery teams, solution architects, and client leadership to drive successful program delivery, strengthen client relationships, and identify opportunities for growth.

In this role, you will

• Lead large-scale programs and strategic initiatives, ensuring successful delivery of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and business outcomes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and escalation for client engagements, building trusted relationships with executive stakeholders.
• Define, track, and manage business outcomes, ensuring projects deliver measurable value to clients.
• Partner with sales, pre-sales, and account teams to identify new opportunities and support account growth initiatives.
• Lead project governance, client communications, status reporting, risk management, and change management activities.
• Develop Statements of Work (SOWs), change requests, proposals, and other client-facing deliverables.
• Facilitate workshops, roadmap discussions, and strategy sessions with business and technology stakeholders.
• Collaborate with consultants, architects, and client teams to translate business requirements into actionable project plans and user stories.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to consulting teams while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Drive delivery excellence by enhancing methodologies, templates, frameworks, and best practices across engagements.

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting and may change based on project, business, or client requirements. We will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in management consulting, program management, technology consulting, or transformation leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading large, enterprise-scale technology programs and client engagements.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, Agile delivery frameworks, and organizational change management practices.
• Experience managing client relationships and executive-level stakeholder communications.
• Demonstrated success managing program financials, resource planning, budgets, and delivery governance.
• Strong facilitation, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to create and present executive-level presentations and recommendations.

These will help you stand out

• Experience with process consulting, business transformation, business analysis, or organizational change management initiatives.
• Knowledge of cloud-based enterprise platforms such as ServiceNow, Workday, Oracle Cloud, Jira, or similar technologies.
• PMP , CAPM , Agile Scrum Master, ITIL , or related certifications.
• Experience supporting business development, proposal development, and account expansion activities.
• Experience leading enterprise modernization and digital transformation programs.
• Strong consulting background with the ability to engage senior business and technology leaders.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applicants will be accepted till 8/20/2026

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future

The annual salary for this position will be in the range of $160,000 – $180,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Our strength is built on our ability to work together. Our diverse backgrounds offer different perspectives and new ways of thinking. It encourages lively discussions, creativity, productivity, and helps us build better solutions for our clients. We want someone who thrives in this setting and is inspired to craft meaningful solutions through true collaboration.

If you are content with ambiguity, excited by change, and excel through autonomy, we’d love to hear from you!

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