Senior Director Program Management Technical

Akamai Technologies GmbH; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 190,700 - 343,300; Full time

Job summary

Akamai Technologies GmbH’s Cloud Technology Group seeks a Senior Director of R&D Transformation & Operations to redefine global engineering and product processes, leading program managers and analysts in planning, development, and support of strategic initiatives.

This role drives operating model evolution, improving resource efficiency, decision speed, and portfolio execution. Collaboration with executives shapes transformation roadmaps and SDLC/PDLC practices across the organization.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in R&D transformation or similar
• Experience with enterprise engineering and product development frameworks
• Proven ability to drive change across large organizations

Responsibilities

• Guiding and mentoring a geographically diverse team to enable strategic delegation.
• Leading transformation strategies and supporting internal stakeholders for proactive operational excellence.
• Monitoring project health, data hygiene, and engineering productivity metrics across the portfolio.
• Negotiating program scope with sponsors and preparing executive presentations.
• Presenting program and portfolio updates to senior executives with data-informed discussions.
• Participating in internal projects to scale operations and refine methodologies like Agile coaching and tooling standards.
• Fostering an inclusive workplace culture across all levels.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Transformation

SAFe

Lean Portfolio

DORA

SDLC/PDLC

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Lean Portfolio

SAFe

DORA

SDLC/PDLC

Job description

Do you relish the prospect of leading strategic cross-organization, transformational programs?

Do you thrive on managing complexity and uncertainty?

Join our Cloud Technology Group Business Operations team!

Akamai's Cloud Technology Group seeks a results-oriented Senior Director of R&D Transformation & Operations to redefine global engineering and product processes. This strategic role drives CTG's operating model evolution, enhancing resource efficiency, predictability, decision‑making speed, and strategic execution. Leading program managers and analysts, responsibilities include transformation roadmaps, PDLC/SDLC practices, portfolio management, R&D metrics, and PMO execution optimization.

Partner with the best

As a Senior Director of R&D Transformation & Operations, you will lead the definition and execution of complex transformation programs, directly managing a team of Transformation‑focused Technical Program Managers, Analysts and Technical Trainers in their planning, implementation, development, and support of these efforts.

Responsibilities

• Guiding and mentoring a geographically diverse team, enabling strategic delegation to create a scalable and empowered workforce.
• Guiding the creation of transformation strategies and supporting internal stakeholders, enabling teams to shift toward proactive, sustainable operational excellence.
• Monitoring the overall health of projects and program within your portfolio, ensuring stringent data hygiene and accurate Engineering Productivity Metrics.
• Negotiating program scope definition and modification and working with program sponsors to prepare for executive presentations.
• Presenting program and portfolio updates regularly to senior executives, using data to encourage transparent discussions and informed decision‑making.
• Participating in internal projects to scale operations, enhance practices, and refine methodologies like Software Capitalization Administration, Agile coaching, and Tooling Standardizations.
• Fostering an inclusive workplace culture that champions diversity, empathy, and belonging across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Have 15 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
• Have experience with enterprise engineering & product development framework and measurement systems, such as Lean Portfolio, SAFe, DORA, SDLC/PDLC.
• Understand how to drive change management across large employee populations.
• Demonstrate expertise as a Program leader collaborating across teams, skillfully transitioning between strategic vision and intricate technical aspects.
• Demonstrate expertise managing priorities and stakeholder demands to prioritize programs that optimize business value within minimal timeframes.
• Have ability to Influence individuals across organizational levels without authority, leveraging unique skills to find compromises, bridge silos, and secure stakeholder support.

Compensation

Akamai is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. For US based candidates only - the base salary for this position ranges from $190,700 - $343,300/year; a candidate’s salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and location. Compensation for candidates outside the US will vary. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of annual bonus or incentives, equity awards and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Akamai provides industry‑leading benefits including healthcare, 401K savings plan, company holidays, vacation (in the form of PTO), sick time, family friendly benefits including parental leave and an employee assistance program including a focus on mental and financial wellness; Eligibility requirements apply.