Overview

Lead / Manager

Director, Program Management Excellence

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

HARMAN International

Compensation

$ 161,250 - $ 236,500

US_Novi_30001 Cabot Drive

On-site

Posted April 30, 2026

Job Description

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

About the Role

As Program Excellence Lead, you are responsible for strengthening the effectiveness of program execution across the Global Customer Group (GCG) by defining execution standards, ensuring consistent adoption, and intervening when delivery performance is at risk.

You establish the standards that define what good program execution looks like, ensure those standards are applied across program portfolios, and engage directly in complex or high-risk delivery situations to restore stability and prevent escalation.

Your impact is measured not only by the frameworks you define but by improved delivery outcomes across the program portfolio, including stronger program health, earlier risk identification, and reduction of RED programs.

In partnership with Program Management, Quality, and Customer Group leadership, you act as the global authority for program execution standards, ensuring both preventative governance and hands-on intervention when required.

Your Team

You are part of the Customer Excellence organization and operate as the senior authority on program execution standards across the Global Customer Group.

You lead through influence across Program Management, Quality / PMO, Customer Account Management (CAM), Engineering, Operations, and Finance, and act as a global escalation point for complex delivery execution challenges.

Over time, the capability may expand to include regional program excellence resources embedded within customer groups to support local program teams and ensure consistent adoption of global execution standards.

What You Will Do

Define and Institutionalize Program Execution Standards

Define the standards that describe how programs should be executed across HARMAN Automotive, including expectations for governance discipline, program health transparency, escalation timing, and leadership behaviors.

Ensure standards are consistently adopted across customer groups and program portfolios.

Ensure execution frameworks translate into  measurable delivery improvements.

Partner with Program Management leaders to embed standards into daily execution, identify systemic delivery gaps, and influence leadership decisions that improve program outcomes.

Drive Adoption and Impact of Program Excellence Frameworks
Monitor Program Health and Intervene in High-Risk Programs

Maintain visibility into program health across the portfolio and engage directly in programs facing elevated risk.

Diagnose systemic execution issues, coordinate cross-functional recovery plans, and support leadership teams in restoring delivery stability before escalation occurs.

Align Execution Governance with PLM and Quality Processes

Partner with Product Launch Quality (PLQ) and PMO teams to ensure alignment between PLM200 / PLM300 governance and execution practices.

While Quality owns process compliance and audits, Program Excellence ensures execution effectiveness beyond process adherence.

Drive Continuous Improvement Across Program Delivery

Capture lessons learned from delivery execution and translate them into improved standards, governance practices, and leadership expectations across the program portfolio.

Ensure insights from program execution are systematically incorporated into pursuit, commercial, and program management practices.

What You Need

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field

10+ years of experience in automotive program management, product development, or delivery leadership roles

Strong understanding of program lifecycle management, cross-functional program execution, and delivery risk management

Proven ability to influence leaders across a global matrix organization and resolve complex delivery challenges

What is Nice to Have

Master’s Degree in Engineering or Business

PMP certification

Experience in complex automotive hardware and software product development programs

Experience working across global customer portfolios and program organizations

What Makes You Eligible

Willingness to travel 30% of the time

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and applicable screenings.
Willing to work in an office in Novi, MI (Hybrid)

What We Offer

Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)

Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University

Competitive wellness benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Access to HARMAN Campus Fitness Center and Cafeteria

An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

Salary Ranges:

$ 161,250 - $ 236,500

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.