Head of Programs and Transformation

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Smiths Detection is a global leader in detection and screening technologies for the protection of people and assets, supporting safety, security and freedom of movement in today’s world.

At Smiths Group plc, we apply leading-edge technology to design, manufacture and deliver market-leading innovative solutions that meet our customers' evolving needs, and touch the lives of millions of people every day. We are a FTSE100, global business of around 14,600 colleagues, based in 50 countries. Our solutions have a real impact on lives across the planet, enabling industry, improving healthcare, enhancing security, advancing connectivity and supporting new homes. Our products and services are often critical to our customers’ operations, while our proprietary technology and high service levels help create competitive advantage. We welcome colleagues with a curious mind, who are happy with responsibility, enjoy a challenge and are attracted by the idea of working at a business with an almost 170-year history of innovation, and five global divisions, all experts in their field. We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish and are proud to be a company with values grounded in integrity, respect, ownership, customer focus, and passion.

The Head of Programs and Business Transformation is responsible for leading the Americas Programs organization while driving strategic transformation initiatives across SDI. This role partners with the President and Leadership Team to identify, prioritize, and execute business transformation efforts that improve operational performance, organizational effectiveness, customer outcomes, profitability, and growth. The position is accountable for ensuring successful program execution while leading cross-functional initiatives that drive sustainable business improvements across the enterprise.

Duties:

People and Talent Management:

• Lead, develop, and mentor the Programs organization, ensuring the appropriate talent, capabilities, succession planning, and organizational structure are in place to achieve business objectives.
• Ensure disciplined project management throughout the project management function.
• Work closely with the Management Team to ensure alignment of the goals and activities, pursue, develop and implement best practice and continuous improvement processes and procedures throughout the business.

Transformation Leadership

• Serve as the executive lead for enterprise transformation initiatives across the Americas business.
• Partner with the President and Leadership Team to define and execute the strategic transformation roadmap aligned with business objectives.
• Lead and execute enterprise-wide transformation initiatives focused on operational excellence, organizational effectiveness, business performance, growth, and strategic priorities.
• Identify and remove organizational barriers that impede execution, accountability, decision-making, and business performance.
• Lead enterprise-wide change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new processes, organizational structures, operating models, and business capabilities.
• Establish governance, success metrics, and executive reporting to ensure transformation initiatives deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and business growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the President and leadership team on organizational effectiveness, execution excellence, and enterprise performance.

Project/Program Management:

• Provide leadership and governance across the Americas program portfolio, ensuring programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with Program Excellence Center (PEC) methodologies, lifecycle processes, and business objectives.

• Establish and maintain portfolio performance standards, including financial management, resource planning, risk management, schedule adherence, forecasting, and change control.
• Partner with Finance, Sales, Operations,  and Technology, to ensure effective portfolio planning, performance monitoring, reporting, and execution.
• Lead portfolio reviews and governance forums to assess performance, address risks and issues, and drive corrective actions that support successful business outcomes.
• Serve as a mentor and leader to the Program Management organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and execution excellence.
• Lead key proposal development in response to customer RFPs; drive cross functional engagement as needed to achieve successful outcomes
• Negotiate and reach agreement with customers or end users on aspects such as project/Program deliverables, specifications, detailed requirements, budget/contract value or schedule.
  • Responsible for completing project/Program Kick-off and Sales to Project/Program Management Handover.
  • External stakeholder management during project/Program execution, acting as a key customer interface and delivering in accordance with customer expectations, but robustly managing scope as per defined contractual requirements. This includes progress reporting, change management, risk and issues management and contract closeout.
  • Finance management covering revenue recognition and reporting.
  • Accountable for successful handover to service.

Commercial Impact

• Ensure effective program governance, execution, and customer engagement across the portfolio, delivering customer commitments, supporting business growth, driving innovation, and maximizing financial performance

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Educational requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business/Technology/Engineering or relevant discipline required.
• P&L / business unit management experience strongly preferred.
• PMP preferred

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience leading complex programs, portfolios, and enterprise transformation initiatives in a matrixed organization.
• Experience running a line of business or demonstrable experience of having end to end responsibility for a portfolio of products & services and delivering successful business outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of program and project management methodologies, governance, financial management, risk management, and business planning processes.
• Experience partnering across Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Commercial, Service, and other cross-functional organizations to achieve business objectives.
• Experience within technology, manufacturing, engineering, defense, or similarly complex operational environments preferred.

Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and drive organizational performance through influence, collaboration, and accountability.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated success leading change, continuous improvement, and business transformation initiatives.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, manage ambiguity, and balance strategic priorities with operational execution.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Planning and Decision Making

• Accountable for establishing priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring successful execution of strategic initiatives, programs, and portfolio objectives.
• Exercises sound judgment and decision-making authority, proactively resolving issues and escalating risks as appropriate.

We offer…

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

The total compensation for this position ranges from $140,422 -  $210,634 $/yr (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, & abilities of the applicant and the alignment with the internal team & market data). This role offers a competitive Business Profit Plan. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental & vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; paid time off; and other benefits. For details, please visit the Rewards & Benefits tab on our main careers page at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail View email address on ziprecruiter.com or call toll-free View phone number on ziprecruiter.com . This email and phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response. Smiths Detection participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website.