Principal, Strategic Initiative Management

UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group); Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 130,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

UKG is seeking a Principal, Strategic Initiative Management to lead high-priority company initiatives with structured problem solving and executive communication. You will translate priorities into executable plans, accelerate decisions, and ensure delivery across UKG.

You will orchestrate cross-functional collaboration, establish dashboards, and present concise updates on value realization and risks to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in enterprise transformation, strategy, or related fields with cross-functional priorities.
• Experience building governance, KPI frameworks, and portfolio reporting.
• Leadership of large-scale initiatives in SaaS or tech organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and operationalize frameworks for company-level strategic initiatives.
• Orchestrate cross-functional plans, manage interdependencies and risks.
• Establish dashboards and reviews to track progress and value realization.
• Create executive-ready updates on progress, risks, and decisions.
• Facilitate sessions that convert diverse views into aligned actions.
• Capture reusable methods and ensure initiatives are embedded into business tempo.

Skills

Enterprise transformation

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

Influence without authority

Education

MBA preferred

Advanced degree in strategy/finance

Job description

Why UKG:

At UKG, the work you do matters. The code you ship, the decisions you make, and the care you show a customer all add up to real impact. Today, tens of millions of workers start and end their days with our workforce operating platform. Helping people get paid, grow in their careers, and shape the future of their industries. That's what we do.

We never stop learning. We never stop challenging the norm. We push for better, and we celebrate the wins along the way. Here, you'll get flexibility that's real, benefits you can count on, and a team that succeeds together. Because at UKG, your work matters- and so do you.

About the Team:

The Enterprise Strategic Programs and Business Operations team develops enterprise integrated planning process and operating rhythm with coordinated plans, disciplined execution, and transparent performance management. We partner across functions and product lines to orchestrate enterprise planning, lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives, and build company-level execution management framework to ensure seamless execution. The team is uniquely positioned at the intersection of enterprise strategy, planning, operating cadence, and transformation, with broad visibility across UKG functions and direct exposure to senior leaders.

About the Role:

The Principal, Strategic Initiative Management will lead the operationalization and execution management of high-priority company-level strategic initiatives to ensure effective value realization. This role combines structured problem solving, analytical rigor, program leadership, and executive communication to translate enterprise priorities into executable plans, accelerate decisions, and ensure accountable delivery across UKG.

• Develop and implement enterprise framework in operationalizing and managing company-level strategic initiatives
• Orchestrate cross-functional collaboration in developing operational plans for the strategic initiatives, manage interdependencies and risks, and maintain momentum by identifying ownership, sequencing decisions, and escalating blockers when needed
• Establish strategic initiative dashboard, develop value realization measures, and manage operating reviews that provide transparent visibility into progress, outcomes, and corrective actions.
• Create executive-ready updates that concisely communicate progress, insights, risks, decisions required, and implications for the broader enterprise portfolio
• Facilitate working sessions and leadership forums that convert divergent perspectives into aligned decisions, clear commitments, and accountable next steps
• Capture repeatable methods, lessons learned, and transition plans to ensure that completed initiatives are embedded into ongoing business ownership and operating rhythms

Qualifications:

• 7+ years' experience in enterprise transformation, enterprise business operations, enterprise strategy, or strategic finance, managing company-level, cross-functional strategic priorities/initiatives within a technology or SaaS organization
• Experience establishing enterprise governance, KPI frameworks, and portfolio reporting for a transformation office or enterprise initiative portfolio
• Experience leading enterprise transformation, operating model, growth, efficiency, or technology initiatives in a SaaS or complex global organization
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from initial problem definition through implementation and measurable business outcomes
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capability to structure ambiguous problems, develop business cases, evaluate options, and translate analysis into practical execution plans.
• Demonstrated experience producing and presenting executive-ready initiative updates that clearly articulate insights, risks, trade-offs, decisions required, and recommended actions
• Ability to influence without direct authority, navigate competing priorities, and maintain strategic perspective while driving detailed execution
• Advanced degree in strategy, business, finance, analytics, or related discipline; MBA preferred, consulting background preferred

Company Overview:

UKG is the Workforce Operating Platform that puts workforce understanding to work. With the world's largest collection of workforce insights, and people-first AI, our ability to reveal unseen ways to build trust, amplify productivity, and empower talent, is unmatched. It's this expertise that equips our customers with the intelligence to solve any challenge in any industry - because great organizations know their workforce is their competitive edge. Learn more at ukg.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UKG is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, disability, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

View The EEO Know Your Rights poster (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EEOC_KnowYourRights_screen_reader_10_20.pdf)

UKG participates in E-Verify.

View the E-Verify posters here (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf) .

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Disability Accommodation in the Application and Interview Process

For individuals with disabilities that need additional assistance at any point in the application and interview process, please email [e-mail] .

The pay range for this position is $129,500 to $186,100. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on skills, experience, job-related knowledge and work location. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus plan and to receive restricted stock unit awards as part of total compensation. Learn more about UKG's benefits and rewards at https://www.ukg.com/about-us/careers/benefits

It is the policy of Ultimate Software to promote and assure equal employment opportunity for all current and prospective Peeps without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, and any other legally protected status entitled to protection under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. This policy governs all matters related to recruitment, advertising, and initial selection of employment. It shall also apply to all other aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, compensation, promotion, demotion, transfer, lay-offs, terminations, leave of absence, and training opportunities.