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Senior Program Director – Program & Portfolio Management (PPM)

Onsite, Richmond VA

Overview

Join Cognizant as a Senior Program Director within our Digital Program Management Community. In this high-impact role, you will lead large-scale, complex, multi-service transformation programs for marquee clients. You will be responsible for end-to-end program delivery, executive-level client engagement, and driving business outcomes across application, infrastructure, and digital domains. This position requires a proven leader who can manage sensitive organizational changes, deliver results in dynamic environments, and inspire high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive consensus between client and Cognizant leaders to convert program vision and goals into actionable Program Charters.

• Establish, execute, and oversee program governance, including stakeholder management, communication ceremonies, benefits management, change management, and scope management.

• Lead delivery estimation and planning, ensuring tracking and progress against established measures and metrics (e.g., bid vs did, SLA, operational/contractual measures).

• Facilitate cross-project collaboration, program-level planning, and management of critical dependencies.

• Validate lifecycle methodology of various projects, ensuring alignment and aggregation of key data for tracking and reporting.

• Serve as the single point of contact for client CXO suite, maintaining positive relationships and ensuring alignment with business outcomes.

• Collaborate with Commercial/Account Teams to identify and define business value opportunities for the client.

• Ensure a strong understanding of client needs and provide direction on IT/Business roadmap to support CXO charters.

• Proactively engage to build an ecosystem of partners and generate awareness about shared risks, accountability, and rewards.

• Lead teams by supporting career growth, personal/team development, well-being, diversity, and inclusion.

• Provide thought leadership within the Digital Program Management Guild and contribute to continuous improvement of the program management community.

• Manage transformation and migration programs, including support, development, and ITO programs.

• Understand, initiate, and facilitate scope/changes to SOW, supporting Project/Program Managers and Scrum Masters as required.

• Ensure contract management and change management through strong processes.

• Interact with client and internal Cognizant partners to resolve critical issues and communicate significant changes.

• Present solutions from the Program Management standpoint and manage client stakeholders across IT, VMO, and business.

• Manage structured deals, takeovers/acquisitions, or divestiture programs.

• Drive optimal business value through scope management, change management, and communication ceremonies.

• Lead large transformation programs in application and infrastructure spaces, including service desk transitions (L2/L3), testing, and infrastructure transitions.

• Handle multiple service lines, drive conflict management and negotiation, and act as a go-getter to ensure program success.

• Demonstrate strong knowledge of PPM methodology, estimation, and planning, with a preference for retail domain experience.

Professional Qualifications and Skills

• 15+ years in strategy, operations, process consulting, stakeholder management, and program delivery within legacy modernization or digital transformations.

• Experience leading and running complex delivery programs across geographies, teams, and silos.

• Digital services consulting firm or digital agency experience preferred.

• MBA or Master’s degree strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required.

• Project/Program certifications (PMI/SAFe 5.0/Prince II); ITIL experience is mandatory.

• Experience in delivering at least 3 or more complex programs involving teams of 250+ across multiple geographies.

• Adept with multicultural, multi-geo working teams and stakeholders, including CXO.

• Experience in contract management, program delivery involving 3+ service lines, and delivering transformational commitments.

• Knowledge of digital ecosystem and digital skills for one or more industries (experience strategy, design, digital platforms, technical architecture, analytics).

• Trusted team leader who delivers defined business value to clients.

• Effective communication, partner management, structured thinking, and proven leadership of teams and business priorities.

• Consultative, entrepreneurial, proactive, and productive approach.

Work Model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring **5** days a week in a client or Cognizant office in **Richmond VA.**

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

**Benefits** : Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements

+ Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

+ Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

+ 401(k) plan and contributions

+ Long-term/Short-term Disability

+ Paid Parental Leave

+ Employee Stock Purchase Plan **Post Closing Date** Applications will be accepted until 12/31/25

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.