Lead Program Manager, Customer Portfolio

Foot Locker; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Foot Locker is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead large, cross-functional programs that support our store technology and retail initiatives. You will coordinate planning, budgeting, and delivery while partnering with business leaders to achieve defined outcomes.

Ideal candidates bring a strong PM background, expertise in MS Project/Smartsheet/Asana, and a track record of managing complex programs in a matrix organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business administration, project management or related field.
• 10+ years of related work experience, with at least 7 years in a project management role.
• Strong analytical and strategic mindset capable of understanding the broader picture and resolving complex issues.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs across a portfolio.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with project management software (MS Project, Smartsheet, Asana, Monday.com).
• Knowledge of project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall).
• Strong leadership to influence, inspire, and motivate teams.
• Experience managing resources in a matrix organization and vendor management.
• PMP and Scrum certifications desired; Retail/store tech experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage delivery of programs within a professional area using an appropriate PM method.
• Communicate action plans and align with the function's strategy and mission.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans to ensure voices are heard.
• Interpret business needs and propose solutions at the program level.
• Define execution plans to disseminate innovative capabilities across businesses.
• Manage transformational change and align with related programs.
• Identify risks, issues, dependencies, and constraints; escalate as needed.
• Develop team capabilities through coaching and training; pursue accreditation.
• Lead creation and approval of program plans; ensure adherence to governance.
• Oversee program reviews, providing stakeholders with progress and recommendations.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Team coaching

Change management

Vendor management

Retail tech experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Asana

Monday.com

Job description

Overview

Great brands reflect culture. The best ones help shape it. At Foot Locker, we’re rooted in sport, powered by style, and driven by the communities that move both. From Foot Locker and Kids Foot Locker to Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos, our brands sit at the intersection of sport, style, and self-expression.

As part of the DICK’S Sporting Goods family, you’re backed by the resources, reach, and career opportunities of a world-class sports company. That unleashes Foot Locker to keep pushing forward with the agility and edge that define the brand. We’re looking for great people who want to influence culture and the generation that is shaping what’s next.

Whether you’re building strategy, shaping innovations, or creating unforgettable customer moments, you’ll contribute to decisions and experiences that define our brands’ impact in the communities we serve.

Come change the game with us.

Accountable for product group initiatives, large program(s) or group of interdependent projects/programs that are relatively high complexity. Focuses on leading planning efforts and manages the integration, implementation, reporting, and performance of the overall product group initiatives, program or group of programs to ensure the successful delivery of defined value and outcomes. Leads the coordination and management activities with business partners. Each complex program requires extensive cross team organization, collaboration and creative problem-solving skills Acts as a mentor and coach to program managers.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the delivery of programs within an area of professional expertise, using an appropriate program management methodology to give assurance that intended outcomes are achieved.

• Communicate the action plan; explain how this relates to the function's strategy and action plan, and the broader organization's mission and vision; motivate people to achieve local business goals.

• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans for programs to identify relevant stakeholders, to develop positive stakeholder relationships, and to ensure that each stakeholder has an appropriate share of voice.

• Interpret the business need and identify solution recommendations to business problems at a business unit level. Lead the improvement efforts that are within span of control at this level.

• Define the execution plan to disseminate innovative capabilities across the businesses, helping people develop these competencies and enabling them to innovate through solutions such as idea generation platforms, jam sessions, and hackathons.

• Manage a transformational change program, ensuring integration with related programs; use structured change management methodologies to build acceptance of change and to embed desired culture and behaviors.

• Manage identification of risks, issues, dependencies, and constraints associated with product group initiatives and programs, escalating these where appropriate. Where necessary, develop, agree on, and implement solutions to overcome these.

• Develop own and more junior team member capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation where relevant to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an understanding of relevant technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.

• Lead the production of and approve program plans, ensuring that all activities are identified, are appropriately organized to deliver program objectives, comply with the organization's program management framework, and comply with the organization's wider governance structure and processes.

• Manage the program review process; provide stakeholders with accurate and relevant information and key recommendations at agreed review points to enable them to evaluate progress and agree on change.

• Negotiate and manage deployment of program/portfolio resources and budgets, providing forecasts and presenting variances with narrative at appropriate review points to ensure effective utilization.

• Leads one or more large cross functional program teams (or multiple medium teams); defines the program vision and communicates the outcomes needed along with guidance to achieve outcome, coordinates team actions across program activities; coordinates flow of additional team members on and off the team as needed; and builds the capability of the team through training, coaching and mentoring.

• Ensure that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined within area of responsibility and ensure compliance with the organization's wider program and/or portfolio management decision-making structures and processes.

• Plan and manage budget for assigned programs.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties pending on the needs of the business

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, consistently demonstrates strong judgment; may be sought out by others for expertise and guidance. Takes smart, independent action in urgent and non-routine situations, knows when to elevate for others' involvement.

Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages “us versus them” thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.

Action Oriented: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. For example, takes immediate, decisive, independent action to resolve issues or problems. Persists as needed. Quickly and consistently identifies and pursues beneficial new opportunities.

Courage: Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said. For example, readily shares own ideas and opinions on controversial topics; is comfortable with open debate and constructive criticism. Demonstrates clear conviction in adversity; persists courageously in difficult circumstances.

Customer Focus: Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions. For example, digs deeply into customer feedback and drives the innovations that can enable the organization to better meet customers' future needs. Frequently adjusts approach to ensure customer needs are met and to improve service.

Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, is consistently honest and straightforward; shares uncomfortable information in a clear and helpful manner. Maintains high ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.

Tech Savvy: Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. For example, is an early adopter of new technologies, technical skills, and capabilities that improve performance. Regularly experiment with and leverages technologies and tools to substantially improve performance.

Accountability: Demonstrate proactive ownership of one’s actions, decisions, and results, focusing on delivering commitments without blaming others. For example. accept responsibility for mistakes, learn from them, and align behavior with organizational goals. This includes high self-awareness, following through on commitments, and fostering trust through transparency as well as holding other accountable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, Project Management, or related field is preferred

• Requires a minimum of 10 years related work experience, with at least 7 years of experience in a project management role

• Strong analytical and strategic mindset capable of understanding the broader picture and resolving complex issues

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs and across a portfolio simultaneously

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with various stakeholders at all organizational levels

• Expanded conceptual understanding and practical expertise in project/program management software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, Asana, Monday.com).

• Deep conceptual understanding and practical expertise of project management techniques and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall)

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, inspire, and motivate teams

• Strong capability to manage and resolve conflicts within teams

• Experience managing resources in a matrix organization

• Experience in vendor management

• PMP Certification desired

• Scrum Certification desired

• Retail and/or Store Technology experience desired and preferred

At Foot Locker, we value innovation, authenticity, and integrity in all that we do. To uphold the security and fairness of our hiring process, we ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools, including ChatGPT, during interviews and assessments. To ensure a smooth and secure experience, please review the following guidelines:

• Cameras must be on for all virtual interviews.
• AI tools are strictly prohibited during interviews or assessments.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a transparent and equitable hiring experience.