Program Manager

Hedcontrols; Town of Hartford (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Hedcontrols is seeking an experienced Program Manager in the United States to lead complex, cross-functional programs that align business priorities with product development execution. You will coordinate teams, manage dependencies, and drive governance, continuous improvement, and organizational transformation. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

U.S. citizenship and ITAR requirements apply. You will mentor project managers, develop KPI-driven program performance, manage budgets, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical sciences or business, engineering preferred.
• 5 years minimum in program or portfolio management.
• Strong understanding of hardware, software, and systems development processes.
• Proficiency in strategic planning and organizational alignment.
• Proficiency in portfolio management tools and dashboards.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams across multiple geographies.
• Strong financial and resource optimization skills.
• Experience with enterprise-level risk management.
• Excellent executive communication and presentation skills.
• Experience driving organizational change and transformation.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain program objectives and success criteria.
• Develop integrated program plans and schedules.
• Manage program-level risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Monitor financial performance and resource utilization.
• Communicate program status to senior leadership and governance boards.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards and methodologies.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and change management.
• Conduct program reviews and implement lessons learned.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the program.
• Promote collaboration and accountability across teams.
• Apply strategic thinking to align programs with business objectives.
• Mentor project managers and build program management capability.
• Represent program in executive governance forums.
• Champion innovation and adaptability in dynamic environments.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for program performance.
• Ensure integration of quality assurance processes across projects.
• Lead vendor management and contract negotiations for program deliverables.
• Support organizational readiness for new product launches.
• Collaborate with finance and operations to optimize program budgets.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physical sciences or business

Engineering degree strongly preferred

Tools

Portfolio management dashboards

Job description

HED is an industry leader specializing in the design, manufacture, and application of innovative vehicle controls, displays, and keypads for on- and off-highway vehicle OEMs. Our application development tools, and engineering services enable OEMs flexibility and easy configurability to create customized vehicle control systems.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional programs that connect business priorities with product development execution. In this highly visible role, you will bring teams and projects together, manage critical dependencies, and help ensure programs stay aligned with organizational goals.

You’ll partner with stakeholders across the organization to optimize resources, manage risk, strengthen program governance, and drive accountability. Just as importantly, you’ll help improve how we work by championing continuous improvement, sharing best practices, and supporting organizational transformation.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and exceptional communication skills. You’ll have the opportunity to influence at all levels of the organization, provide clear visibility into program priorities and progress, and mentor project managers while helping build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

If you enjoy bringing clarity to complexity, connecting people and priorities, and making a meaningful impact in a growing organization, we’d love to hear from you —

Salary commensurate with experience. Due to the nature of our work, we are unable to provide employment sponsorship now or in the future. U.S. citizenship and eligibility as an ITAR “U.S. Person” are required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with Product Management and Tech Leads to define and maintain product requirements and project scope.
• Define and maintain program objectives and success criteria.
• Develop integrated program plans and schedules.
• Manage program-level risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Monitor financial performance and resource utilization.
• Communicate program status to senior leadership and governance boards.
• Ensure compliance with organizational standards and methodologies.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and change management.
• Conduct program reviews and implement lessons learned.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the program.
• Promote collaboration and accountability across teams.
• Apply strategic thinking to align programs with business objectives.
• Mentor project managers and build program management capability.
• Represent program in executive governance forums.
• Champion innovation and adaptability in dynamic environments.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for program performance.
• Ensure integration of quality assurance processes across projects.
• Lead vendor management and contract negotiations for program deliverables.
• Support organizational readiness for new product launches.
• Collaborate with finance and operations to optimize program budgets.

The list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical sciences or business, Engineering degree strongly preferred.

Experience and/or Training

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program or portfolio management.
• Strong understanding of hardware, software, and systems/applications development processes.
• Proficiency in strategic planning and organizational alignment.
• Proficiency in portfolio management tools and dashboards.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams across multiple geographies.
• Strong financial and resource optimization skills.
• Experience with enterprise-level risk management.
• Excellent executive communication and presentation skills.
• Experience driving organizational change and transformation.

Physical and Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to ten pounds while moving files or small packages. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to focus.

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Work is typically performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Infrequent travel to a customer’s location may be required and may include factory or test environments.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Environment:Work on cutting-edge technology projects.
• Collaborative Culture:Be part of a team that values collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Professional Growth:Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Impactful Work:Contribute to projects that make a difference in the world and in our communities.