Director Program Management Office

Job Title: Director of Project Management Office (PMO) - Cosmetics/Beauty

Position Overview:

Our client is a thriving LA-based cosmetics & beauty brand that is seeking a dynamic and experienced project management director to lead the end-to-end project management process across multiple high-demand product lines in the beauty and cosmetics sector. This role is responsible for overseeing the execution of all key growth initiatives, margin improvement efforts, and supply chain optimizations. The PMO Director will ensure effective project governance, track timelines, and proactively manage risks across various cross-functional teams involved in product innovation, development, and portfolio enhancement.

As a strategic leader, the PMO Director will collaborate with teams in product development, brand management, supply chain, and packaging to ensure timely execution of new launches and product optimizations. This highly visible position demands a leader who excels in fast-paced, matrixed environments, and can drive results with a solution-oriented mindset.

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance and Process Management: Oversee the PMO’s governance structure, ensuring all project milestones, timelines, and deliverables are consistently achieved, while facilitating the escalation and resolution of any risks or roadblocks.
• Collaborative Leadership: Lead cross-functional project teams to execute new product development, packaging changes, and other product lifecycle initiatives, ensuring alignment with brand and business strategies.
• Portfolio Management: Partner with brand teams to optimize the product portfolio by managing SKU productivity initiatives, ensuring the efficient handling of discontinuations and product introductions.
• Innovation and Strategic Projects: Support the innovation pipeline by working closely with product development and brand teams, ensuring that projects align with long-term business goals and market trends.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive the selection and implementation of project management tools and methodologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of project execution, including training and roll-out across the organization.
• Cost and Resource Management: Ensure projects are completed within scope, on time, and within budget, while managing resource allocation and tracking progress across all initiatives.
• Operational Leadership: Guide teams in managing non-innovation projects such as regulatory changes, packaging updates, and new customer onboarding, ensuring seamless execution and stakeholder communication.

Key Relationships: You will regularly collaborate with brand management, product development, packaging, regulatory, supply chain, and quality teams, alongside other internal and external stakeholders.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Project Management, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10 years of experience managing cross-functional projects in fast-paced, consumer-facing industries, ideally with experience in beauty or cosmetics.
• Proven experience leading and managing complex projects with a focus on innovation and supply chain operations.
• Strong organizational abilities, able to manage multiple concurrent projects with attention to detail and prioritization.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana) and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams).
• A proactive and adaptable problem-solver who thrives in dynamic, high-growth environments.

Preferred Experience:

• Prior experience in the beauty or cosmetics industry, with knowledge of regulatory processes, packaging, and supply chain considerations.

This role is ideal for a forward-thinking, results-oriented leader who thrives on managing large, multi-faceted projects and is passionate about innovation and operational excellence in the beauty industry.