Senior Manager, HR Transformation & Strategic Programs

Komatsu; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 122,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k

Paid time off

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Learning programs

Job summary

Komatsu is seeking a Senior Manager, HR Transformation & Strategic Programs to lead the HR transformation portfolio, establish governance, and accelerate executive decision-making across cross-functional initiatives.

You will partner with the CHRO and HR leaders to improve execution discipline, assess value realization, and guide enterprise-wide transformation efforts while onsite in Chicago or Milwaukee with regular travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field.
• 8+ years in HR transformation, strategy, or enterprise program leadership.
• Experience across HR disciplines: talent, learning, rewards, operations, HR tech.
• Strong HR operating model and COEs understanding.
• Executive communication: presentations, governance materials.
• Ability to analyze data and translate to KPIs.
• Experience leading in global or matrixed organizations.
• Formal project/change management training preferred.
• HR certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and govern the HR transformation portfolio operating model.
• Provide executive-level decision materials and risk framing.
• Lead cross-functional governance discussions and prioritization.
• Resolve cross-functional barriers and maintain accountability.
• Define success measures and monitor adoption and value realization.
• Establish agile portfolio practices and AI-enabled methods.
• Provide portfolio-level project management and change leadership.
• Review health, risks, milestones, and resources.
• Document decisions and portfolio updates for executives.
• Maintain portfolio plans and stakeholder assessments.
• Coach leaders on governance, sponsorship, change management.
• Utilize Microsoft 365 and AI tools while ensuring confidentiality.

Skills

HR transformation

Portfolio governance

Executive communication

Change management

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

AI tools

Job description

Senior Manager, HR Transformation & Strategic Programs

Posting Start Date: 9/25/26

Job Location (Short): Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60631 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 53204-2941

Requisition ID: 36990

Onsite or Remote: Onsite Position

Join Komatsu and Be Part of Something Big!

Job Overview

The Senior Manager, HR transformation and Strategic Programs will lead the HR transformation portfolio by establishing strong portfolio governance, accelerating executive decision-making, and coordinating complex cross-functional initiatives. This role partners closely with the CHRO, HR Leadership Team, functional leaders, and initiative sponsors to improve execution discipline, resolve barriers, assess value realization, and support enterprise-wide transformation efforts.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Design and manage the HR transformation portfolio operating model, including intake, prioritization, sequencing, governance, escalation, and exception handling.
• Evaluate portfolio data, identify risks and trends, frame recommendations, and prepare executive-level decision materials.
• Lead governance discussions focused on tradeoffs, dependencies, risks, priorities, and decision closure.
• Resolve cross-functional barriers, clarify accountability, negotiate tradeoffs, and elevate unresolved issues with clear options and implications.
• Partner with sponsors and functional leaders to define success measures and assess adoption, execution health, value realization, and business impact.
• Establish agile portfolio practices and responsible AI-enabled methods to improve scenario planning, synthesis, risk sensing, and decision speed.
• Provide portfolio-level project management and change management leadership across strategic HR initiatives.
• Review project health, recovery plans, risks, dependencies, milestones, and resource needs while initiative owners retain day-to-day delivery accountability.
• Support executive operations by documenting decisions, commitments, owners, due dates, follow-up actions, and portfolio updates.
• Maintain portfolio plans, workstream schedules, risks, issues, dependencies, resource requirements, stakeholder assessments, change plans, and adoption measures.
• Coach leaders on prioritization, governance, risk management, sponsorship, stakeholder engagement, change management, and sustainable implementation.
• Use Microsoft 365 and AI-enabled productivity tools to improve efficiency while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate controls.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Organizational Leadership, Management, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in HR transformation, HR strategy, human resources leadership, enterprise program or portfolio leadership, management consulting, organizational effectiveness, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working within Human Resources, including exposure to multiple HR disciplines such as talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, total rewards, HR operations, workforceplanning, employee relations, or HR technology.
• Strong understanding of HR operating models, HR service delivery, Centers of Excellence (COEs), HR Business Partner organizations, shared services, and HR transformation best practices
• Exceptional executive communication skills, including experience developing leadership presentations, business cases, governance materials, and recommendations for executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze business, workforce, financial, and operational data; establish success measures and KPIs; and translate insights into executive recommendations.
• Proven ability to create structure, governance, and execution plans in ambiguous environments undergoing significant organizational change.
• Formal project or change management training or certification (PMP, Prosci, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Scrum, or equivalent) preferred.
• Professional HR certification preferred (SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, SPHR, PHR, or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience leading initiatives across global, multi-site, or highly matrixed organizations preferred.
• Ability to work onsite minimum 4 days per week at our Milwaukee or Chicago office.
• Regular weekly travel between our Milwaukee and Chicago offices is required.
• Ability to travel approximately 15% of the time.

Additional Information

Hiring Range

At Komatsu, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. This role pays $Starting at 135,000. The actual offer will consider a wide range of factors, including experience and location.

Company Benefits

Komatsu provides an extensive and robust employee benefits package that is designed to enhance the well-being of our employees and family members. We embrace a positive and empowering employee experience with a culture that prides itself on a diverse and inclusive environment.

• Health benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA, wellness programs, etc.
• 401k and/or employee savings programs
• Employee time off (vacation and designated holidays)
• Employee and family assistance programs
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Employee learning and development programs

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

At Komatsu, we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences and contributions. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose. Connected by our core values of ambition, perseverance, collaboration and authenticity, we are committed to continually advancing in our support of diversity and inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.

Company Information

Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu employs more than 64,000 people worldwide, operating in more than 140 countries. For more than a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Since the company's founding in 1921, Komatsu has been committed to supporting individuals and communities through job training, skills development and giving back. As a Komatsu employee, you will be encouraged to grow alongside our global company, contributing to a more sustainable future for all. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, join Komatsu to be a part of something big and help advance modern society. Learn more at www.komatsu.com.

EEO Statement

Komatsu is an Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmitive Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.