Lead Project / Program Manager

Company

Cox Automotive - USA

Business Operations

Lead Project / Program Manager

Manager - Non People LeaderCan work remotely anywhere in the specified country

Yes, 5% of the time

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary of $99,000.00 - $165,000.00. 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.

Lead Project/Program Managers are responsible for successful coordination and management of large-scale programs, from design to delivery. Lead Project/Program Managers must have a thorough understanding of program & project management concepts and techniques and will evaluate project feasibility, establish priority, and define, plan, and execute the activities necessary to reach the business objectives. The candidate must have demonstrated experience in successfully managing and delivering multi-project and/or enterprise efforts.  The role relies upon experience in relationship management, risk management, master plan management, communications, and delivery execution for business initiatives within the vAuto Retail product portfolio. This role will work closely with a team of business and product stakeholders to communicate business goals, revenue objectives, and production adoption objectives.
The successful candidate will demonstrate PMO best practices, manage GTM launch gating activities, proactively identify opportunities to increase revenue, thoughtfully facilitate meetings with superior time management, develop captivating storytelling frameworks that maintain momentum and ensure project success, and act as a strategic partner to the project stakeholders.

PREPARE & MAINTAIN THE PROJECT PLAN

• Support short-term and long-term project initiatives aligned to the Retail strategic plan
• Maintain a working knowledge of Retail solutions, product suites, customers, and reporting capabilities, as well as baseline knowledge of other Cox Auto groups
• Independently establishes a master plan framework for project/program tracking and control including processes for management of projects/programs, determined from project objectives
• Identifies appropriate stakeholders, business owners, and executive sponsors for projects/programs and maintain a tight working partnership to rationalize business objectives & business priorities
• Maintain regular communication with stakeholders, team members, clients, and senior management to provide updates, address concerns, manage expectations, revise plans, and shift priorities to ensure successful completion of the project/program
• Manages projects/programs with complex business, operational, and technical challenges.
• Determines and coordinates sharing of leveraged resources among projects.
• Establish tracking and roll-up of project milestones and metrics for program level status reporting, negotiating dependencies as needed to ensure a smooth project execution
• Assists in defining the strategic objectives for projects/programs
• Manages 3PL vendor agreements related to project delivery, as necessary

PROVIDE LEADERSHIP & DIRECTION FOR THE PROJECT / PROGRAM TEAM

• Plays a consultative role to help put in place the appropriate people, processes, and tools to ensure effective project management and success.
• Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, roles and responsibilities used to provide technical, process or business guidance to clients, both internally and externally, and the ability to apply this knowledge appropriately in diverse situations.
• Able to understand client's / customer's objectives and project scope. Explain assignment requirements, deliverables, costs and criticalities to team members, colleagues, management and other stakeholders. Monitors performance versus expectations and use formal and informal means to keep clients / customers informed on progress and issues. Participates in developing further opportunities or assignments.
• Assist with major decisions about resources, goals, and standards and assuring that all parties involved understand and incorporate within their delivery responsibilities
• Participates in developing further opportunities or assignments.
• Establishes and manages a program level change control process that allows for submission of changes and impact assessment of changes
• Continuously monitors development processes, identifies gaps, and proactively works to identify and resolve issues within the projects and across programs
• Ensures appropriate project documentation is produced and achieved on internal storage tools and intranet sites
• Maintain an active relationship with team members to provide mentoring, motivation, and guidance as necessary. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 6 years experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 4 years experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience; or 10 years experience in a related field
• Project/Product Management experience directing medium to large initiatives in all phases of a project lifecycle consisting of resources from across the enterprise
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with teams throughout organization
• Able to communicate technical and business team’s needs, concerns, risks, and issues
• Able to develop, present and effectively communicate ideas, content, and strategies to a variety of audiences
• Strong relationship building skills within and across the organization
• Able to motivate team members to complete tasks efficiently
• Highly competent with Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, Word

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates located in Atlanta preferred
• ​Possess strong knowledge of the automotive industry with an emphasis in marketing and sales
• Possess strong knowledge of Cox Automotive products and services
• Highly analytical and organized
• Creative problem solver, challenge the status quo and move flexibly towards new possibilities
• Able to connect work and goals with bigger purpose and sell their vision
• Understanding of SAFE product launch frameworks
• PMP, Six Sigma and/or Agile certifications preferred

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.

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much 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.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 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.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.

 

 

Application Deadline: 05/26/2025