Director, Program Management

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex, multi-year programs involving multiple functions and business units.
• Serve as the focal point for cross-business unit initiatives, ensuring alignment of priorities, scope, resources, and timelines.
• Establish and maintain program governance, including program plans, milestones, risk management, issue escalation, and performance reporting.
• Partner with senior leadership to align programs with strategic objectives and operational priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems, and operating effectiveness.
• Monitor program performance against defined metrics; prepare and present status updates, risks, and recommendations to executive stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and dependencies; proactively resolve issues that may impact program outcomes.
• Cook up and influence cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and accountability without direct authority.
• Support change management efforts to ensure adoption, sustainability, and realization of program benefits.
• Promote program management with best practices and contribute to the maturation of program management capabilities across the organization.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field required. Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
• Experience: 12–15+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. 7+ years of managerial and/or diversified leadership experience, including planning, communication, organizational effectiveness, and people motivation.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional or cross-business unit programs.
• Experience operating in a senior leadership environment with executive-level stakeholders.

Skills

• Strong program and project management skills, including planning, governance, risk management, and execution.
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities in a matrixed organization.
• Excellent written, verbal, and executive-level communication skills.
• Proven ability to influence and build alignment across diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, or similar).
• Preferred: Experience with program management tools and reporting systems.
• Preferred: Program or project management certification (e.g., PMP, PgMP).

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE): Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Cohesive Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.

About Us: Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!