Senior Program Manager, HR Systems and Data

Job ID: 289856
Location Name: CA-FSC SF Off (0174)
Address: 350 Mission St, 20th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States (US)
Job Type: Full Time
Position Type: Regular
Job Function: Human Resources
Work Location: Hybrid - San Francisco, CA

Belong to Something Beautiful

At Sephora, beauty is about feeling seen, valued, and empowered, individually and collectively. It is connecting deeply with others, celebrating diversity and inclusivity, unlocking your potential, and making a difference every day. Together, we belong to something beautiful. 

Your Role at Sephora:

Ready for a career glow up? As the Senior Program Manager for HR Technology & Data , you will drive the successful planning, execution, and delivery of highly visible HRIS and data initiatives. In this pivotal role, you will evaluate and manage project portfolios, translating global HR and IT stakeholder needs into actionable project plans and technical implementations. We are seeking an expert project manager with deep analytical capabilities, a foundational understanding of HR systems configuration, and a proven track record of delivering data-driven solutions. This role involves managing a team of one direct report and three indirect consultant reports, working alongside HRIS Leads, technical configurators, and data analysts to successfully execute cross-functional technology strategies on a global scale through rigorous project management standards.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic Project Leadership & Delivery:

• Lead the entire project lifecycle for multiple, concurrent HRIS and data projects, ensuring adherence to strategic objectives, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

• Define comprehensive project scope, goals, and deliverables in close partnership with global stakeholders, translating business needs into actionable project plans.

• Develop robust project plans, resource strategies, and proactive risk mitigation approaches for complex, multi-faceted HR technology initiatives.

• Continuously monitor project performance, anticipate challenges, and implement effective solutions to keep projects on track.

• Facilitate high-impact project meetings, workshops, and steering committee presentations, ensuring clear communication and decision-making.

HRIS Configuration Expertise:

• Knowledge of HR Systems (e.g., SuccessFactors) modules and their intricate interdependencies.

Advanced Data & Analytics Acumen:

• Possess a comprehensive understanding of HR data architecture, global reporting requirements, and advanced analytical methodologies.

• Champion the design of project solutions that ensure robust data collection, data flows, data storage, uphold data integrity, and enable sophisticated analytical capabilities.

Influential Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• Effectively collaborate and build consensus with diverse teams, including HRIS configurators, data analysts, technical experts, and business stakeholders across various HR systems and data platforms, to drive requirement gathering, solution design, and successful implementation.

• Proactively identify and clearly communicate complex project needs, interdependencies, and potential blockers to all organizational levels, including executive level leadership in Paris, influencing decisions and aligning expectations.

• Cultivate strong, productive relationships with internal teams, global partners, and external vendors.

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and compelling project status reports and presentations tailored for executive-level consumption.

Solution Orchestration & Adoption:

• Oversee comprehensive testing strategies, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT), to validate that solutions meet defined global business needs and quality benchmarks.

• Lead change management efforts, including training development and communication strategies, to ensure seamless adoption and realization of benefits or new HR systems and processes globally.

• Oversee contract management for all HR Systems related vendors and services, ensuring compliance, favorable terms, and effective vendor relationships.

• Collaborate with Tech and Global teams to ensure seamless support for infrastructure and integration projects, fostering cross-functional synergy and efficient problem resolution.

What You’ll Bring:

• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in program/project management, with a focus on HR systems and data initiatives
• Proven expertise delivering complex, global HR technology implementations and data-driven solutions
• Strong knowledge of HRIS platforms (e.g., SAP SuccessFactors) and system interdependencies
• Deep understanding of HR data architecture, governance, data privacy (e.g., GDPR), and analytics methodologies
• Advanced project management expertise across Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall frameworks
• End-to-end experience leading system implementation lifecycles, including discovery, requirements gathering, build/testing, deployment, and hypercare
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across matrixed, global teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail and execution excellence
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and working with external vendors and consultants
• Demonstrated success in change management and driving large-scale system adoption
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences and executive leaders

Core Competencies Required:

• Strategic Execution: Ability to align HR technology and data projects with the broader strategic goals of the HR function and the overall business
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Proven ability to lead and influence matrixed teams—including HR, IT, Finance, and external vendors—without needing direct reporting authority
• Change Management Champion: Strong capability to drive user adoption, manage resistance, and build effective communication strategies for system go-lives and data process changes
• Risk & Issue Mitigation: Proactive approach to identifying project roadblocks, scope creep, and data integrity risks, with the ability to swiftly develop contingency plans
• Complex Problem Solving: A highly analytical mindset capable of breaking down intricate HR workflows and data challenges into scalable technical solutions

Technical & Data Skills Required:

• Project Management Methodologies: Deep expertise in Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies, knowing when to apply each to different types of HR/Tech projects
• HR Data Fluency: Strong grasp of data governance, data privacy (e.g., GDPR), data migration strategies, and HR metrics
• System Implementation Lifecycle: End-to-end experience leading discovery, requirements gathering, building/testing, deployment, and hyper care for enterprise HR systems

Tool Proficiencies Required:

• PM Tools: Jira, Smartsheet, or MS Project
• Data/Reporting: Power BI, Tableau, or advanced Excel
• Mapping: Visio, Lucidchart, or similar for process mapping

Interpersonal & Soft Skills Required:

• Technical Translation: Exceptional ability to translate complex IT and data terminology into clear, accessible language for HR stakeholders and business leaders
• Executive Presence & Communication: Confident in presenting project statuses, business cases, and data insights to senior leadership
• High Adaptability: Ability to pivot and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment where project priorities or business needs may rapidly shift  #LI-SR1

What You’ll Get: 

The annual base salary range for this position is $205,200.00 - $228,000.00 The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the applicant’s qualifications for the position; years of relevant experience; specific and unique skills; level of education attained; certifications or other professional licenses held; other legitimate, non-discriminatory business factors specific to the position; and the geographic location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will perform the job. Individuals employed in this position may also be eligible to earn bonuses. This job will be posted for a minimum of five days. 

• Caring Community. You’ll collaborate with teammates who are equally passionate about innovating and driving the industry forward – together, united in beauty. 

• Fulfilling Path. Your career transformation starts here, with opportunities that will challenge, stretch and develop your skills. 

• Meaningful Work. As you make an impact on beauty, you’ll feel and see the positive change (consumer, industry, and social) that your individual voice is a part of. 

Rewards as Unique as You:

Some benefits have eligibility requirements and may depend on job classification and length of employment. 

• Health . Choose a healthcare plan to fit you and your family’s needs with medical, dental, and vision coverage. Sephora also fully covers our employees’ disability and life insurance. 

• Wealth . We offer a competitive 401k with 4% match as well as FSA and HSA programs. We also offer a Student Debt Retirement plan, where your student loan payments qualify to earn the 401k match from Sephora. 

• Balance . You’ll be empowered to find the perfect blend of work/life balance that actually works for you with PTO, flexibility, protected leave, and more. 

• Growth . Career growth is built into every role, with access to training, development, and tuition reimbursement. 

• Perks . Think you’ve tried it all? Enjoy a 30% discount on all merchandise/services, opportunities for free product or “gratis,” and flash sale discounts on LVMH brand products. 

• Support . Join a team that truly cares – with free mental health and financial coaching resources with 24/7 access to Modern Health and Financial Finesse. Plus, volunteer and donation matching. 

Sephora values a diverse and inclusive workplace and considers all applicants without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, religion, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. Sephora is committed to providing reasonable accommodation ta applicants with disabilities or other medical conditions.  

Sephora will consider all qualified applicants, including those with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.  

Join Us and Belong to Something Beautiful