Sr Lead Project​/Program Manager - Automotive Inventory Solutions

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for all aspects of the program over the entire program life cycle, including leading program and project managers. They will have experience in leading and executing large, complex enterprise projects and programs. This role is a portfolio-level integrator and thought partner to executive sponsors, owning the most complex, cross-business programs and shaping how Manheim delivers value.

The role sets the delivery approach, mentors other PMs, and embeds responsible AI and project management practices so teams move faster, safer, and smarter. The Senior Program Manager is accountable for managing multiple projects simultaneously and adapting to changing priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

The Senior Program Manager is well versed in program management methodology, has a rich background of program and project successes, is energetic, personable and thrives in a dynamic environment. The Senior Program Manager possesses the ability to find creative solutions to issues that jeopardize program goals/business objectives or timing, within budget or resource constraints.

The Senior Program Manager can envision the 'big picture' and interfaces with executive, business, functional and Cox Automotive leadership to materialize the overall focus of the program in line with the business strategy. They leverage their expertise to drive decision making on all aspects of the program/project activities and mitigate erroneous decisions. The Senior Program Manager can manage program/project(s) and/or program managers in a cross‑functional, matrix management environment where high‑risk, cost, impact or change is paramount to the organization.

The role relies upon experience in relationship management, master plan management, communications, change management, delivery execution and benefits realization.

• Leads and manages large, complex enterprise‑level projects consisting of multiple teams and/or requiring integration with other activities outside the normal project scope
• Establishes and maintains a working partnership with business owners, executives, and project teams to rationalize business objectives & business priorities
• Collaborate with executive stakeholders (VPs/Directors) to define project / program objectives, scope, deliverables and timelines.
• Ensures there are business cases, KPIs/OKRs, and benefits tracking models aligned to CAI priorities
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including resource allocation, task assignments, dependencies and critical path, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Establish right‑sized governance (Steer Cos, risk councils), decision frameworks, and escalation paths; reduce decision latency and unblock dependencies.
• Leads and oversees project initiation, risk assessment, team selection and startup, execution and post‑project review.
• Sought out by executives to lead or provide advice on key company initiatives
• Initiates and leads process improvement task forces, facilitating and encouraging improvements based on lessons learned and state‑of‑the‑art project management techniques
• Exhibits the business acumen to identify where activities are needed to integrate and/or supplement the functional work streams.

• Drive decision‑making across programs; champion adoption of common metrics that link to financials and outcomes.
• Lead retrospectives across programs to harvest learning and codify playbooks; evolve templates and standards.

• Communicates the program objectives, priorities, and direction to all stakeholders.
• Establishes and implements norms for communication, interaction, coordination and accountability across multiple threads of the organization specific to the purpose of delivering the program.
• Anticipate systemic risks, conducts comprehensive risk management, design mitigations, and negotiate trade‑offs with senior leaders.
• Inspires collaboration and cross‑functional trust which results in an environment where the business outcomes are prioritized ahead of individual/functional department needs.
• Ensures that the…