Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives - Employer Services

Overview The Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives will be responsible for driving core strategic initiatives, ensuring executional excellence on key programs, and collaborating with cross-functional Center of Excellence (COE) and Employer Services partners to optimize results. This individual will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and managing strategic projects to achieve growth, retention and efficiency goals. This highly visible, strategic "utility player" focuses heavily on enabling revenue expansion and protecting the customer base through direct sales campaigns, proactive growth initiatives, and expansion through our indirect channel partners. Additionally, this person acts as a trusted advisor to the leadership team, developing repeatable programs and processes, key performance metrics, and high-level executive communications. This person serves as a critical bridge between Product, Technology, Legal, Finance, and frontline Sales stakeholders, managing complex dependencies to accelerate speed-to-revenue and drive strategic organizational effectiveness. This is a hybrid role based out of our Clayton, MO office. Candidates must be available to work on-site every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. What You Would Do Establish and lead cross-functional strategic initiatives ((planning, preparing, launch, execution, follow up) to achieve business objectives Liaison between Employer Services and COEs on strategic projects to drive business execution and growth Design objectives and work plans to execute on key revenue initiatives Ensure all relevant stakeholder groups are identified and classified for each initiative ensuring they are consulted at the appropriate level Drive strategy, provide oversight and manage accountability for direct sales campaigns Partner with finance, technology, operations, sales, and marketing, and use influence to drive progress when things are stalled Act as a trusted advisor to VP-level executives, providing strategic planning guidance and feedback on key initiatives, and advocate for sales team and client needs in all project meetings Present to VP level and above, as well as plan, coordinate and host 200+ person virtual and in-person events What Experience You Need 5-7 years of progressive business experience specializing in enterprise program management, strategic planning, business transformation, or specialized management consulting. Bachelor's Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline required; an M.B.A. or relevant advanced degree is highly preferred. Proven track record of navigating complex matrixed organizations and successfully leading multi-disciplinary initiatives that intersect across technology, finance, operations, and corporate legal groups. What Would Set You Apart Assertiveness & Drive: Displays an enthusiastic "owner's mindset," utilizing personal influence and professional diplomacy to push progress forward and eliminate organizational inertia when projects become stalled. Confidence & Executive Presence: Comfortably engages with, advises, and presents strategic rationales directly before Vice President (VP) and Senior Vice President (SVP) audiences. Elevated Emotional Intelligence: High degree of self-motivation, organization, resilience, and adaptability when navigating nonstandard situations, shifting requirements, and high-stakes multi-stakeholder conflicts. Customer Centricity: Remains completely aligned with the strategic vision of our markets, advocating for sales teams and enterprise customer requirements across all internal technical design sessions Project Management Certifications: Deep knowledge of diverse project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid frameworks); an active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus. #J-18808-Ljbffr