Senior Technical Program Manager

CAI Cox Automotive Corp Svcs., LLC; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible vacation/wellness days

7 paid holidays

Wellness hours (up to 160 hours)

401(k)

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead high-risk IT and Operations programs with cross-functional teams in a hybrid work setting. The role emphasizes agile delivery, governance, and stakeholder engagement to achieve strategic business outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in complex technology programs, PMP certification, and experience with SAFe Agile environments. Competitive compensation and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical, business, or management discipline.
• PMP certification required or in progress.
• 2+ years’ SAFe Agile team experience or equivalent.
• 3+ years’ experience managing Technology/Security/Operations projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex enterprise programs involving cross-functional teams and delivery systems in an Agile/matrixed environment.
• Facilitate collaboration across Enterprise Technology and between Product, Business, and other functions to ensure alignment on scope, timeline, risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Drive AI adoption and communicate value to teams and stakeholders.
• Support all program lifecycle phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, closure.
• Oversee budgeting, forecast vs actual, and funding channels for programs.
• Provide progress tracking/reporting on plan, cost, and schedule; manage change control.

Skills

Facilitation

Communication

Organizational skills

Agile delivery

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical/business/management

PMP certification

Experience in program/project management

Tools

Smartsheet

Job description

Company Cox Automotive - USA Job Family Group Information Technology Job Profile Sr Technical Project Manager Management Level Individual Contributor Flexible Work Option Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week Travel % Yes, 15% of the time Work Shift Day

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $101,500.00 - $169,100.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

The Senior Program Manager role manages complex, high-risk technical IT and Operations programs or projects of strategic importance to the organization. This role oversees project initiatives involving cross-functional teams and multiple delivery systems, ensuring that sequencing and dependencies are monitored and managed with timely escalation of deviations from plans and commitments. The Senior Program Manager will plan, organize, monitor, and oversee multiple Enterprise Technology programs to meet defined business specifications, working closely with the Enterprise Technology Delivery organization as well as Service Area Leaders and IT Owners to guide efforts toward achieving intended business results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex enterprise programs involving cross-functional teams and delivery systems in an Agile and matrixed environment.
• Facilitate collaboration, mobilization, and coordination across Enterprise Technology and between Product, Business, and other functions to ensure alignment on scope, timeline, risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Drive AI adoption leveraging clear messaging, benefiting the teams and connecting human / AI value.
• Support all phases of the program lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
• Develop and deliver program management deliverables within compliance with approved methodology requirements.
• Communicate program objectives clearly and motivate the project team and delivery systems to achieve them.
• Organize work into manageable work packages or phases and determine an effective approach to completing the work.
• Manage the financial aspects of programs: budgeting, estimate-to-actual variance, and funding channel tracking.
• Analyze risks, establish contingency plans, and identify trigger events and responsibilities for initiating mitigating actions.
• Provide tracking and reporting on progress to plan, cost, and schedule, including change control.
• Manage relationships with program stakeholders, both within IT and with external business stakeholders.
• Proactively manage change to baselined scope, schedule, and cost, communicating impacts and facilitating decisions.
• Identify and elevate bottlenecks, risks, issues, and dependencies to ensure program success and realization of business outcomes.
• Manage vendor relations and procurement activities related to program requirements.
• Drive effective communication, collaboration, and commitment across teams with competing priorities.
• Provide input to refine established PM methodology and alignment with delivery systems.
• Provide performance input to team members’ functional managers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical, business, or management discipline and 4 years' experience in active Program/Project management role.
• The right candidate may also possess a different combination, such as a master's degree and 2 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 1 years’ experience; or 12 years’ experience in a Program/Project management role with no degree.
• 3+ years' experience managing Technology/Security/Operations projects.
• PMP certification required or actively in progress.
• 2+ years’ experience leading or supporting SAFe Agile teams, or equivalent program management experience on Agile projects/programs.
• Experience with Smartsheet preferred.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, complex technology projects or programs.
• Effective at working in a highly matrixed environment.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, both verbal and written.

Core Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Applying structured problem-solving and data-informed decision‑making to program challenges.
• Budgeting: Tracking and managing program budgets with attention to cost efficiency and variance reporting.
• Managing Multiple Priorities: Balancing concurrent workstreams and adjusting to shifting demands across a program portfolio.
• Program Administration & Management: Using tools and methodologies for planning, tracking, and reporting effectively.
• Collaboration: Building productive working relationships across teams, removing obstacles, and sharing relevant information.
• Communication: Tailoring messages to audiences, encouraging feedback, and presenting clearly at all organizational levels.
• Execution Focus: Following through on commitments, tracking progress against goals, and escalating proactively.
• Adaptability: Navigating ambiguity and changing priorities with a constructive and solution-oriented mindset.

Drug Testing

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug‑free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as many vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

About Us

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people‑centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Cox vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.

EOE, including disability/vets Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. No OPT, CPT, STEM/OPT or visa sponsorship now or in future.