Program Management Lead, Rack PDU

Vertiv; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertiv is seeking a Program Management Lead to run the PMO and govern the global rPDU project portfolio. You will collaborate with Product Line, GPDO, and Operations to align strategy, drive execution, and ensure programs deliver expected business value.

The role requires leading diverse cross-functional teams, mentoring project managers, and maintaining rigorous governance across all project activities in a multinational environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Program Manager in a structured environment.
• At least 2 years leading Program Management teams.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle from ideation to commercialization.
• PMP certification strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Experience in Data Center Infrastructure is a plus.
• Familiarity with Waterfall and Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).

Responsibilities

• Manage the PMO and portfolio of rPDU projects globally across functions.
• Oversee project execution, resource planning, and risk management to meet milestones.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with engineering, product, operations, and leadership.
• Report portfolio status and provide approval recommendations during gate reviews.
• Coach Project Managers and drive continuous process improvements.
• Ensure alignment with GPDO processes and global standards.
• Collaborate with Product Management to define requirements and cost targets.
• Conduct post-launch analyses to inform future iterations.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

PMP certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business

Master's degree is an asset

Job description

Job Description

Reporting to the Rack Power Distribution Unit (rPDU) Product Line VP, the Program Management Lead will have dual responsibility of managing the PMO team and at the same time manage the portfolio of projects related to the rPDU Product Line globally, working closely with Product Line, Global Process Governance, and Operations leaders.

The Program Management Lead

• Is responsible and accountable for the management of projects aimed at new product development. These can range from new technology development (Advance Technology), customization of existing products to specific client requests (Engineered to Order), products transferred from region to region (Design Transfer), or from inception to product launch into a new market (New Platform). The projects require coordinating the efforts of all involved departments (engineering, product management, manufacturing engineering, operations, procurement, quality, order fulfillment, logistics, service, marketing, sales and other cross-functional groups) to the successful completion of the project.
• Needs to manage projects or initiatives to which they are directly assigned, cooperate with Product Line peers to assign project managers to projects, and oversee the execution of projects assigned to their team, all while contributing to the career progression and knowledge gain in the project management discipline of their team.
• Is responsible for overseeing the rPDU portfolio, reporting its overall status to the Product Line Leader, and hosting regular status reviews. Moreover, the function is responsible for providing approval recommendations during gate review meetings.
• Must maintain continuous alignment of program scope with Company strategic business and other organizational objectives, make recommendations to modify the program to enhance effectiveness, highlight any possible situation hindering achievement of program results and elaborate a recovery plan.
• Champions the adoption and sustained use of processes, tools, and governance frameworks developed by the Global Product Development Office (GPDO), including the NPDI Global SOP, gate review templates, and associated policies. Lead the deployment of new or updated GPDO processes into the rPDU Product Line through training, communication, and change management. Serve as the primary liaison between the GPDO and the rPDU team, providing feedback on process effectiveness and ensuring compliance with global standards across all project execution activities.

The context in which the Program Management Lead operates is characterized by complex relationships in an international and multicultural environment, typical of large organizations. The Program Management Lead therefore must be able to navigate complexities, foster relationships, and maintain communication with stakeholders at multiple levels, including those external to the organization.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the projects/programs are managed in accordance with the Corporate NPDI (New Product Development and Introduction) Process
• Manage the rPDU project portfolio, ensuring alignment with business roadmaps and availability of resources.
• Work with management of different operating functions to identify and obtain required resources to adequately staff projects, providing necessary information for prioritization where required.
• Develop and mentor Project Managers in the team, so they can develop and execute project/program plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation, while effectively managing risks and dependencies.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and foster a culture of teamwork to achieve project deliverables and meet aggressive deadlines.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between various stakeholders, including engineering teams, operations, product offering and executive leadership.
• Track and report on project, program and portfolio performances, measuring progress, budget utilization, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to stakeholders and senior management.
• Identify and proactively mitigate risks and issues that may impact project timelines, scope, or quality.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, driving innovation and efficiency in the product development process.
• Collaborate closely with the Product Management team to define product requirements, specifications, and ensure alignment with customer needs, and with the Engineering team to develop and validate solutions which are compliant with the requirements set, at a competitive product cost.
• Initiate and complete post-launch product analysis and feedback collection to inform future iterations and enhancements.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field, with the ability to learn the basics of product development. A Master's degree is an asset.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience as a Program Manager, leading programs within a structured organization
• A minimum of 2 years of experience leading Program Management teams
• Comprehensive understanding of the product development lifecycle, from concept ideation to commercialization.
• Exceptional project management skills; PMP certification is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, with proficiency in engaging and influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Excellent leadership and influencing capabilities, including the ability to motivate and direct cross-functional teams toward common objectives.
• Robust problem-solving and decision-making skills, characterized by a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Preferred: Experience in the Data Center Infrastructure sector.
• Advantageous: Familiarity with Waterfall and Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)

Physical & Environmental Demands

• No specific demands

Time Travel Required

• Up to 20%

About Us

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv's Core Principles & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities.

Our Core Principles

• Safety.
• Integrity.
• Respect.
• Teamwork.
• Inclusion.

Our Strategic Priorities

• High-Performance Culture
• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

Vertiv Behaviors

• Own it
• Act with urgency
• Foster a customer-first mindset
• Think big and execute
• Lead by example
• Drive continuous improvement
• Learn and seek out development
• Promote transparent & open communication

About Vertiv

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to enable its customers’ vital applications to run continuously, perform optimally and grow with their business needs. Vertiv solves the most important challenges facing today’s data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extend from the cloud to the edge of the network. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, USA, Vertiv employs around 34,000 people and does business in more than 130 countries. Visit Vertiv.com to learn more.

Work Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to [e-mail]