Head of Program Management (PMO)

Industrialelectricmanufacturing; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

IEM is seeking a Head of Program Management to lead a high-performing PMO, guiding strategic initiatives and customer programs across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain. Located remotely in the US with travel.

The role demands deep manufacturing knowledge of switchgear and engineered-to-order products, executive communication, and proven leadership of global teams; you will own end-to-end program execution from requirements through delivery, ensuring on-time, on-budget results.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in manufacturing of switchgear, switchboards, or related electrical equipment.
• Proven experience building and leading high-impact teams for strategic programs.
• Success managing complex, cross-functional programs with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain.
• Strong customer-facing engagement and executive-level communication with external stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of engineered-to-order production and production scheduling in industrial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a PMO team to deliver strategic customer programs on time and to budget.
• Define team structure, roles, and career development for growing program complexity.
• Standardize PM methodologies, tools, and governance across the organization.
• Maintain portfolio view of active programs; identify risks and interdependencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional work with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain.
• Serve as senior customer-facing representative and lead program reviews.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

ERP/PLM

Job description

At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets.

Location:US- Remote

Reports To: VP of Design Engineering

Position Summary

The Head of Program Management (PMO) will lead and build a high-performing team of Program Managers responsible for driving the successful execution of strategic initiatives and customer programs across the organization. This role is critical to a switchgear/switchboard manufacturer with e-house and skid-mounted solutions, requiring deep partnership with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to deliver complex, multi-disciplinary programs on time, on budget, and to specification.

This leader will be accountable for the end-to-end success of strategic programs — from customer requirements and design through manufacturing, quality release, and delivery — while also serving as a confident, credible face of the organization in front of customers. The ideal candidate combines deep technical and manufacturing knowledge of switchgear/switchboard products with proven program leadership and executive-level communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Program Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Define team structure, roles, and career development paths as the PMO scales to support growing program complexity and volume.
• Establish and standardize program management methodologies, tools, and governance across the organization.

Program & Portfolio Execution

• Own the successful execution of strategic initiatives and customer programs, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, cost, and quality commitments.
• Establish and maintain a portfolio-level view of all active strategic programs, proactively identifying risks, resource constraints, and interdependencies.
• Drive program governance including stage-gate reviews, milestone tracking, risk management, and executive reporting.
• Ensure robust change management processes are in place for scope, schedule, and cost deviations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as the primary integration point between R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to ensure programs move seamlessly from design through production and delivery.
• Partner with Engineering/R&D on new product introduction (NPI) and custom engineered-to-order programs for switchgear, switchboards, e-houses, and skidded packages.
• Work with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to align program timelines with production capacity, material lead times, and logistics constraints.
• Partner with Quality and Safety to ensure programs meet all regulatory, code, and customer specification requirements throughout execution.

Customer Engagement

• Act as a senior, customer-facing representative of the program management function, building trust and confidence with key accounts.
• Lead or support customer program reviews, kickoff meetings, and escalation discussions, translating technical and operational detail into clear commercial communication.
• Partner with Sales and Business Development to support proposal efforts, program scoping, and contract execution for strategic accounts.

Strategic Initiatives

• Stand up new customer programs and strategic initiatives from the ground up, including defining program structure, success metrics, and governance cadence.
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives to increase program predictability, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Provide regular reporting to executive leadership on program health, risks, and strategic outcomes.

Competencies:

• Strategic thinking with strong operational execution
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management
• Risk management and proactive problem-solving
• Cross-functional influence without direct authority
• Customer relationship management
• Team building and talent development

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in the manufacturing of switchgear, switchboards, or related electrical power distribution equipment.
• Proven experience leading and building high-impact teams that have stood up and executed strategic, high-visibility customer programs.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, cross-functional programs involving R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain.
• Strong track record of customer-facing engagement, including presenting to and negotiating with external stakeholders at various levels.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, engineered-to-order product development, and production scheduling in an industrial equipment environment.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and people-management skills, with experience developing program management talent.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate clearly and confidently with senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent professional experience).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with e-house, skid-mounted equipment, or modular power packages in addition to traditional switchgear/switchboards.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification.
• Experience implementing or scaling a formal PMO function within a manufacturing organization.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards and codes (e.g., UL, IEEE, NEMA, NEC) applicable to switchgear and switchboard manufacturing.
• Experience with ERP/PLM systems and program management software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar).

Work Environment:

• This is a remote position with regular virtual collaboration across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain teams.
• Travel required (estimate: 25%) for customer visits, site meetings, and cross-site program reviews.

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

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IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law.

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