Program Manager, Product Planning

This role is responsible for facilitating the planning and execution of cross-functional projects, programs and initiatives. This will include adhoc research, benchmarking and analysis as well as creating and maintaining tools to support planning, decision making, and resource allocation. Essential Functions Facilitate planning and execution of cross‑functional projects, programs and initiatives. Drive alignment between teams of diverse stakeholders while ensuring clear understanding of accountability, responsibility and deadlines for all workstreams. Follow up with stakeholders as needed to identify and alleviate bottlenecks. Manage timelines and deliverable schedules. Adhoc research, benchmarking, and analysis as required for any project or initiative. Synthesize various information and data to develop strategic recommendations. Create and maintain tools independently in a digital platform for the purposes of managing large, complex processes in a fast‑paced environment encompassing planning, responsibility assignment, timelines, budgets, approvals, commitment and milestone tracking. Provide weekly / monthly status reports and dashboards. Develop from scratch and regularly update as needed. Provide regular updates to stakeholders and senior levels of executive leadership on Brand Experience and Product Development workstreams. Partner with Shipboard Operations Analytics to analyze qualitative and quantitative data from Carnival databases and other sources to generate useful metrics as needed. Create and maintain a system and process for identifying, prioritizing, tracking and evaluating innovative concepts from various sources including shipboard and shoreside team members, market research and consumer insights. Build and maintain shared workspaces and team sites to foster efficient collaboration. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Scope: oversee cross‑functional projects and initiatives, guiding planning, execution, and stakeholder alignment. Manage tools, timelines, budgets, and systems that support decision making and collaboration across multiple workstreams. Problem solving: conduct research, benchmarking, and data analysis to generate insights and strategic recommendations. Proactively identify issues such as bottlenecks and create custom tools and processes to manage complex, fast‑paced project environments. Impact: drive clarity, coordination, and timely execution, improving project efficiency and decision making across stakeholders and leadership. Reporting, analysis, and innovation tracking systems directly inform executive strategy and enhance the organization’s ability to deliver high‑quality initiatives. Leadership: lead alignment across diverse teams, ensuring accountability, communication, and timely delivery of workstreams. Establish collaborative systems, provide structured updates to leadership, and build scalable processes that strengthen organizational effectiveness. Qualifications Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree / Master’s Degree a plus. Discipline/Major: Business Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Finance, IT, Consulting, or related fields. 5+ years of experience in program management, project management, product development or operations managing multiple large projects through a digital platform. Critical Professional Related Technical/Computer Skills: MS Project or equivalent. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, advanced in Excel, Project, Visio and PowerPoint. Strong analytical, verbal, written and presentation skills. Ability to interpret data, formulate business questions and make recommendations. Understanding of the complete ecosystem that makes up a guest experience including the operational requirements needed to support it. Ability to build strong relationships and solicit cooperation from individuals in a variety of roles to take a project from vision to reality. General understanding of how to read architectural drawings, material specifications and/or take measurements on drawings using programs on AutoCAD or PDF‑based programs such as BlueBeam Revu. Must take initiative, demonstrate ownership, work with minimum supervision, multi‑task and balance numerous evolving priorities; strong organizational skills and agility are critical. Travel: Less than 25% with shipboard travel likely. Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate‑controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential. Physical Demands: Must remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time. Carnival Corporation & plc and Carnival Cruise Line is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against any qualified individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, mental, physical or sensory disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, federal, and/or international law. #J-18808-Ljbffr