Program Manager

What the job is about

As a Program Manager you oversee the fulfillment over larger organizational goals. You coordinate activities between multi-country projects without directly managing them. Instead, you manage the main program, giving detailed attention to program strategy & scope definition, cross-project delegation & coordination, and program implementation.  

You’ll analyze your program with a broad, high-level view—leaving day-to-day project activities to the Project Managers. Your primary role and responsibility is to ensure that all of the Project Managers are efficiently and effectively working towards program goals, and making sure that activities that lead to the attainment of the program’s general objective(s) are well prioritized at all times. You'll therefore communicate frequently with Project Managers in order to be up to date with the progress of each individual project, providing necessary updates and feedbacks with regards to changes or adjustments in general objectives or re-prioritizing. 

You’re also responsible for making sure that the program delivers the best return on investment (e.g. reuse of skills & knowledge, developed functionalities etc. over the different projects; optimize productivity; manage interdependencies…).

As a Program Manager, you work hand-in-hand with the senior Management Team of the customer organization, developing and setting an all-encompassing strategy/formula that covers a group of projects (that are normally inter-related). 

The Program Manager’s work also entails making sure that the different project teams have the required resources they need for the timely and efficient execution of their individual projects. 

Your day-to-day program management activities include: 

• Defining and managing the program operating plan.

• Planning and monitoring program execution & control deadlines.

• Project coordination and managing project interdependencies.

• Analyzing and managing risks in program execution. 

• Aligning or realigning deliverables with program outcomes. 

• Managing the budget.

• Maintaining program documentation.

• Cross-project resource management.

• Stakeholder communications, negotiations, problem-solving & change management.  

• Guide and support Project Managers, including evaluating them. 

• Supervise and maintain satisfaction-, quality- and performance standards.  

• Guard the Sofico project management methodology.  

Your interest and skills

One of the key factors for this role is being highly stress resistant. A strong personality and keeping calm when needed are pre-requisites.

Proven experience in an advanced (ERP) program management role is required. You have been handling large budgets and are able to calculate quickly with large figures to give immediate estimates to the customer. Business acumen with a strategic ability and IT maturity is required.

You have great communication skills and know-how to adjust your communication style to the situation and the counterparty. This comes hand in hand with your strong stakeholder management skills, making you capable of convincing the customer of best approaches. Next to that, you have excellent leadership skills as well.

With your analytical mindset with great problem-solving abilities, you can analyze instantly and act immediately when needed. You are able to distinguish main from side issues and maintain a helicopter view. You excel in coordinating and organizing and can display a high level of adaptability while handling job responsibilities.

You have a thorough understanding of project/program management techniques and methods. Working in an agile environment does not hold any secrets for you.

At last, you’re familiar with working in international context, considering different styles and cultures in different markets. The communication language for this role is German, so a fluent level of the language is required.

What we offer

We would like to welcome you to an international and multicultural company that has been operating for over 30 years and is doubling in size every 5 years. Growth is our middle name, while we strongly adhere to our horizontal and open company culture.

You're in the drivers' seat of your own career, that's our motto. Your personal development is therefore paramount. During an extensive onboarding program of six months we make you, with the support of your job coach, familiar with our product and the organization. Even after this period, you will continue to get opportunities to learn and develop yourself further. You’re never alone.

At Sofico you will also work in a modern state-of-the-art office that is easily accessible. We have plenty of safe charging points for your electric car or bike, and free shared bicycles available to pick up your lunch.

In return for your efforts, we offer an extensive salary package, including a company car with fuel card, a bonus system, meal vouchers and group and hospital insurance. Are you a sporty type? Bike lease is also one of the possibilities! The flexible office hours and opportunities to work from home provide the necessary flexibility within the company.

At Sofico we are strong believers in the power of a good cup of coffee. Water or soft drinks are of course also on the menu. We love our team events. Think afterwork drinks, a BBQ, a family day, a company weekend, or a walking dinner with the whole company.

Step 1: Click the orange 'apply now' button below to get your CV in front of our HR team: