Program Director

ABOUT APPLY DIGITAL

Apply Digital is a global digital transformation partner for change agents. Leveraging expertise that spans Business Transformation Strategy, Product Design & Development, Commerce, Platform Engineering, Data Intelligence, Change Management, and beyond, we enable our clients to modernize their organizations and deliver meaningful impact to the business and to their customers. Our 650 team members have helped transform global companies like Kraft Heinz, NFL, Moderna, Lululemon, Games Workshop, Atlassian, and The Very Group. Visit applydigital.com to learn how we can unlock your company’s potential.

If you'd like to learn more about Apply Digital's culture click HERE.

LOCATION: Apply Digital is hybrid/remote friendly. The preferred candidate should be based in the Greater Los Angeles area of the United States, working in hours that align to PT (Pacific Timezone).

THE ROLE:

This role is a hybrid role and requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the office. The preferred candidate should be based in Los Angeles (Inglewood), with working hours that align with PST.

Apply Digital is looking for an experienced Program Director to join our Los Angeles based team. The Program Director is a leadership role responsible for spearheading program delivery on one significant account program, with oversight across multiple digital initiatives helping clients work more efficiently and strategically to define and deliver on business outcomes. As a champion of project and program management best practices, the Program Director will have a primary focus and accountability for leading cross-functional project teams across product, design and engineering, establishing delivery governance mechanisms, and driving strategies to meet program goals, while balancing delivery and financial success to meet profitability targets.

Central to this role is the cultivation and management of direct client relationships at the executive level, serving as trusted advisor, defusing difficult situations and providing guidance to the project team to meet program outcomes.

• Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
• Proactively engage with clients to anticipate needs, navigate concerns, and take action to resolve issues or provide guidance as needed.
• Serve as the central point of contact for the program, ensuring effective stakeholder management by providing regular executive-level updates and fostering transparent communication channels across all levels.
• Develop, define, and manage program budgets, navigating executive-level budget discussions comfortably.

• Program Oversight:
• Work with the client Director of PMO and Senior Project Managers to track, manage & report on project budgets, timelines, and resource allocations to align initiatives with corporate strategies and priorities.
• Monitor and control progress by meticulously developing and maintaining schedules, timelines, milestones, and performance reports in collaboration with project leads, including Project Managers, Product Managers, and Scrum Masters.
• Collaborate closely with client and internal Account leadership team to contribute to identifying and pursuing account growth opportunities.

• Budget Management:
• Create, track, and report on program budgets and gross margin, ensuring financial accountability and transparency.
• Control scope and manage costs to meet budgetary constraints.

• Risk Management:
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks at the program level, ensuring proactive risk management strategies are in place.
• Develop contingency plans to address potential issues and ensure continuous program progress.

• Process Definition and Improvement:
• Define, implement, and enhance program processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in delivery models.
• Develop innovative systems and processes to streamline and simplify program operations.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation according to PMO standards, continuously proposing improvements for governance, processes, tools, and templates.
• Utilize robust project management and reporting tools to track progress toward goals via dashboards, budget, and resource management systems.

• Project Planning and Resource Management:
• Define and build a team structure with a delivery model that ensures appropriate resourcing and processes for efficient delivery.
• Assess team capacity and resource requirements, effectively allocating resources and monitoring performance against schedule, budget, and quality targets.
• Proactively identify and resolve resource conflicts, escalating unresolved issues to management as necessary.
• Provide guidance and leadership to project teams, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.

• 8-10 years of demonstrated track record leading teams delivering end-to-end digital solutions in an agency or product organization, ideally with leading global brands, with proven experience delivering web and mobile app product launches.
• Proven track record fostering partnerships with Director, VP or C-suite client and internal stakeholders with the ability to influence, collaborate and align with cross-functional and matrixed partnerships on key programs or projects to drive accountability and project outcomes.
• Previous experience as a senior project or program management role leading large cross-functional, multi-track teams of 20 employees in software development and/or web technologies. 
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex political landscapes within the organization, adept at managing relationships and garnering support from stakeholders with diverse agendas.
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle, CI/CD and project management methodologies including agile, hybrid-agile, scrum, kanban and others.
• Proficiency using project management software tools and collaboration platforms. (e.g., Jira/Confluence, Slack, Notion, Google Suite, Instagantt, Smartsheet). 
• Experience working with Airtable and/or Jira Product Discovery.
• Experience working with various organizational functions across Marketing, Direct to Consumer, E-commerce, Growth and Data to support project outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead workshops and planning sessions for initiatives that require definition, cooperation and risk mitigation with peers, cross-functional teams, and Senior leadership teams.

• Experience working with enterprise-level companies with a focus on Sports and Media or Entertainment is an asset.
• Professional certifications such as Agile Certification and/or Scrum Master certification are desirable.
• A can-do attitude and the resilience to work in a flexible and fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrable critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and willingness to take on complex challenges.
• A good dose of humour, humility and positivity to drive your relentless pursuit of excellence while working in a fast-paced environment.

LIFE AT APPLY DIGITAL

When you feel safe and healthy, you can bring your best self — and ideas — to the team. In addition to a remote office set-up budget, annual celebrations, and parental leave top-ups, here are a few benefits we offer to support your well-being:

Great projects: Broaden your skills on a range of engaging projects with global brands and important work for causes we care about.

An inclusive environment: We’re truly committed to building a culture where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels welcome. So come as you are.

Learning opportunities: We offer generous training budgets, including partner tech certifications, custom learning plans, workshops, mentorship, and peer support.

Generous vacation policy: Work-life balance is key to our team’s success, so we offer ample time away from work to promote overall well-being.

Customizable benefits: Tailor your extended health and dental plan to your needs, priorities, and preferences.

Flexible work arrangements: We work in a variety of ways, from remote, to in-office, to a blend of both.

Apply Digital is committed to building a culture where differences are celebrated and everyone feels welcome. That’s why we value equal opportunity and nurture an inclusive workplace where our individual differences are recognized and valued.

For more information, visit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) section of our website. If you have accommodation needs at this stage of the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible by emailing us at careers@applydigital.com.

Salary : $170,000 - $230,000