Vice President, Program Management

Role Description

The Vice President of Program Management serves as the cross-functional integrator and accountability mechanism for customer commitments across the entire program lifecycle at Nortek Data Center Cooling. This executive-level role leads custom and configurable development programs, ensuring flawless execution from customer commitment through delivery, installation, commissioning coordination, and warranty handoff.

• Coordinates Engineering, Test, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance, and Service teams to meet schedule, cost, quality, and customer commitments.
• Accountable for program-level P&L execution and customer commitments—delivering revenue, margin, cost, cash, schedule, change orders, and overall program performance.
• Drives cross-functional alignment, manages contract and program risk, and establishes scalable program management processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Delivery & Execution:
  • Own end-to-end program health from customer commitment through delivery, installation, commissioning coordination, and warranty handoff.
  • Manage the cross-functional team to schedule with a relentless focus on critical-path items.
  • Establish structured workflows for project kickoff, engineering release, drawing approval cycles, and more.
  • Continuously refine program execution practices to reduce rework and improve predictability.
  • Define program intake and scoping processes incorporating feasibility assessments and technical requirements.
• Program Risk Management:
  • Implement a robust program risk management process with clear methodologies and governance.
  • Deploy a standardized risk identification, escalation, and mitigation process across all major programs.
  • Maintain executive visibility to top program risks through monthly reviews.
  • Ensure every high-risk issue has a documented mitigation plan.
• Program-Level P&L and Contract Management:
  • Accountable for program-level P&L execution and customer commitments.
  • Ensure all financial commitments established during the deal model are achieved.
  • Manage change orders, warranty exposure, and cash flow throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Partner with various teams to drive cost, schedule, and scope decisions.
  • Own the contract governance processes to optimize profitability and reduce contractual risk.
• Installation, Commissioning & Service Coordination:
  • Ensure Service has visibility to installation schedules and customer requirements.
  • Coordinate and escalate warranty issues, field modifications, or customer concerns.
  • Track financial and customer impacts associated with post-delivery issues.
  • Remain engaged whenever there are material issues impacting customer commitments.
• Portfolio Visibility & Performance Analytics:
  • Develop real-time dashboards that track critical ETO and NPD program indicators.
  • Implement portfolio dashboards that visualize backlog health and risk areas.
  • Collaborate with teams to consolidate data into a single source of truth for program performance.
  • Ensure dashboards highlight bottlenecks to support proactive decision-making.
• Leadership & Organizational Development:
  • Build and develop a high-performing Program Management organization.
  • Establish standardized processes and templates for program execution.
  • Manage, coach, and mentor Program Managers and cross-functional contributors.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, proactive communication, and continuous improvement.
  • Represent Program Management at the executive level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in program or project management.
• Demonstrated success owning program-level P&L execution and customer commitments.
• Proven success building, leading, and scaling program management organizations.
• Strong command of program management methodologies and tools.
• Deep experience managing complex, cross-functional new product development programs.
• Exceptional executive communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to understand, adopt, and drive new technologies and processes.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment; able to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives.

Preferred

• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification or equivalent.
• Experience establishing or leading an enterprise PMO or program governance function.
• Direct experience with engineered-to-order products.
• Experience supporting hyperscale data center customers.

Benefits

• Play an important role on a growing team.
• Contribute to a company helping power the next generation of AI‑ready data centers.
• Work in an environment with meaningful growth opportunities.