Group Leader

GROUP LEADER, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

POSITION SUMMARY

The Group Leader, Program Management is responsible for leading, developing, and mentoring a team of Program Managers to ensure the successful execution of customer programs and achievement of business objectives. This position provides strategic direction, drives cross-functional collaboration, promotes best practices, and serves as a key liaison between senior leadership, customers, and the program management organization.

The ideal candidate is a strong people leader with exceptional communication, collaboration, coaching, and stakeholder management skills, combined with a solid background in program management within a manufacturing or automotive environment.

LEADERSHIP & TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop a team of Program Managers, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Conduct regular performance discussions, provide constructive feedback, and support career development planning.
• Ensure consistent application of program management standards, methodologies, and best practices across all programs.
• Promote accountability, engagement, and effective decision-making within the team.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives within the department.
• Resolve conflicts and remove barriers that may impact team performance or project execution.
• Ensure adequate resource allocation and workload balancing across the program management organization.

PROGRAM & PORTFOLIO OVERSIGHT

• Provide strategic oversight of multiple customer programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer expectations.
• Support Program Managers in the management of program timing, budget, profitability, risks, and deliverables.
• Review program performance metrics and ensure corrective actions are implemented when necessary.
• Escalate critical issues, risks, and resource constraints to leadership and support resolution efforts.
• Ensure lessons learned and continuous improvement actions are implemented across the program portfolio.
• Drive consistency and operational excellence in project execution throughout the organization.

COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the primary communication link between Program Managers, senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Facilitate effective communication across engineering, operations, quality, purchasing, finance, sales, and manufacturing teams.
• Lead regular portfolio reviews and provide executive-level updates on program performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Promote transparency, alignment, and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders.
• Support critical customer communications, escalations, and negotiations when required.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships and ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Support Program Managers in addressing customer concerns, program challenges, and scope changes.
• Participate in customer reviews and executive meetings as required.
• Ensure commitments made to customers are effectively communicated and executed within the organization.
• Act as an escalation point for customer issues impacting multiple programs.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives within the Program Management organization.
• Drive standardization of tools, processes, reporting, and governance practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, communication, and program execution.
• Share best practices and lessons learned across teams and programs.
• Support organizational transformation and change management initiatives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 7+ years of program/project management experience in manufacturing or automotive environments.
• Minimum 3+ years of direct people leadership experience managing project or program teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in a complex, matrix organization.
• Experience working directly with customers and senior leadership.

Skills

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Proven conflict resolution and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Financial acumen and program profitability awareness.

Languages

• Bilingual (English required; Spanish or French preferred depending on business needs).

Preferred

• PMP certification or equivalent project management certification.
• Lighting experience
• Experience managing multiple programs or leading a PMO/Program Management organization.
• Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience.