Senior Director Program Management

OP Technology; Lincolnshire (IL); On-site; USD 260,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

OP Technology seeks a Senior Director, Technical Program Management to lead the Connected Frontline PMO, overseeing a $2B+ hardware/software/cloud portfolio with $100M+ budget.

The role partners with Product, Engineering, Sales, and the CTO organization across global sites to align strategy with execution, drive delivery, and champion AI-enabled delivery practices from concept through release.

Qualifications

• 20+ years in technical program/portfolio management; exceptional candidates may exceed.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (CS/ME/EE or software) preferred.
• 7+ years in global, matrixed leadership roles supervising others.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction and governance for a PMO of 50+ across global sites.
• Translate portfolio strategy into executable roadmaps with Product, Eng, and Finance.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of hardware, software, and cloud offerings from concept to launch.
• Drive AI-enabled delivery practices and automation within the PMO.
• Communicate with C-suite and executives as trusted advisor.
• Oversee Directors, Senior Managers, and PMs.

Skills

Technical program management

Executive leadership

Global/remote PMO experience

Budgeting & governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Our client is a global OEM leader in enterprise mobile computing and edge technology, serving frontline industries such as retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. We are conducting a confidential retained search on their behalf for a Senior Director, Technical Program Management to lead their Connected Frontline PMO.

This is a high-visibility leadership role overseeing a $2B+ product portfolio and a $100M+ budget, with direct executive exposure across Product Management, Engineering, and the CTO organization.

The Role

The Senior Director will own portfolio execution and PMO leadership across a Connected Frontline portfolio spanning Mobile Computing, Software Solutions, and the Chief Technology Office. This leader will partner with Product, Engineering, Sales, Customer Success, IT, and Operations to align strategy with execution, driving delivery of hardware, software, and cloud offerings from concept through release.

Key responsibilities include:

• Setting strategic direction and governance standards for a Program Management organization of 50+ people across global sites (Asia, North America, Europe)
• Translating portfolio strategy into executable roadmaps in partnership with Product, Engineering, and Finance leadership
• Driving execution of integrated hardware, software, and cloud solutions from concept through market launch, including go-to-market
• Leading adoption of AI-enabled delivery practices and automation across the PMO organization
• Serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, with regular C-suite and executive-level communication
• Managing a team of Directors, Senior Managers, and Program Managers — leaders who themselves manage teams
• Overseeing strategic external development partners, including JDMs and technology providers

What You Bring

Required:

• 20+ years of experience in technical program/portfolio management (15 years considered for exceptional candidates)
• Bachelor's degree, engineering strongly preferred (Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering)
• 7+ years of management experience, ideally in a global, matrixed organization — managing leaders who manage teams
• Demonstrated experience owning both hardware and software PMO functions (an 80/20 lean toward software is acceptable — this is the area of greatest current need)
• Full product lifecycle experience: concept through launch, including go-to-market — pure IT/analytics delivery backgrounds will not be a fit
• Strong executive presence and communication skills; proven comfort operating at C-suite level

Preferred:

• Background from a large enterprise technology or OEM organization
• Advanced skills in portfolio budgeting, ROI analysis, and roadmap governance across hardware and software products
• Experience driving AI-enabled process improvement within a PMO function