Senior Director - Client Program Manager

Let’s be unstoppable together!

Circana (formerly IRI and NPD) is the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through unparalleled technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data, and deep expertise, we provide clarity that helps almost 7,000 of the world’s leading brands and retailers act and unlock business growth. We understand more about the complete consumer, the complete store, and the complete wallet so our clients can go beyond the data to apply insights, ignite innovation, meet consumer demand, and outpace the competition.

At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives. We have a global commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as we believe in the undeniable strength that diversity brings to our business, employees, clients, and communities (with us you can always bring your full self to work). Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Learn more at www.circana.com.

What will you be doing?

In this client-facing program management role, you will oversee the development and execution of programs that support shared objectives and goals for the Circana/client partnership. You will ensure supporting projects work together to achieve these goals and yield ROI-positive business outcomes. You will achieve this by implementing solutions that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Circana team operations and client execution. This role will focus on the following:

• Develop a Circana Thought Leadership Center of Excellence supporting senior stakeholders.
• Create and deliver a consistent program of Circana Thought Leadership for the C-Suite/senior executive level focused on macros economic and business trends and their impact on retail, consumer behavior, and the client.
• Partner with Circana industry experts and thought leaders to customize and package relevant content for different audiences
• Educate team members on available content and coordinate with them to create and execute a consistent delivery cadence
• Oversee and coordinate the deployment of Circana solutions for clients including, contracting, scoping and business requirements, process integration and training
• Develop and execute an on-going change management program aimed at greater driving business value, adoption, and utilization of Circana services and solutions, across all clients.
• Assess client needs and readiness, and develop the case for change
• Partner with team colleagues, Circana subject matter experts, and client stakeholders to formulate the change strategy including training, communications, and success measures
• Lead team efforts to develop and maintain training, best practice, and use case content library.
• Lead process to define annual objective and goal setting, workplans, track progress, measure business outcomes, and manage the pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate key events such as Circana Growth Summit and Innovation Showcases, and or quarterly client earnings prep sessions, contract renewals and RFPs.
• Share team program management best practices and tools with other Circana retail teams as appropriate.

About you

Successful candidates will have previous program and project management as well as management consulting in a retail setting. They are energized by the attention to detail and discipline needed to plan and coordinate complex programs and activities, solve problems, and execute with excellence. In addition, competitive candidates are highly consultative and must have a demonstrated record of success in client relationship management and delivering positive business outcomes.

Job Responsibilities

•  Planning: Plan the program, define governance, establish sustainable goals; ensure supporting projects align with overall program scope and goals. Provide team coaching and guidance to on effective project management best practice and techniques.
•  Coordination: Coordinate activities across multiple work streams, and manage the interdependencies between projects
•  Resource management: Manage resources across projects, and ensure resources are utilized effectively.
•  Risk management and contingency planning: Facilitate identification risks and issues, probability of occurrence, develop contingency plans, and take corrective action as required.
•  Program Assessment and ongoing process health monitoring: Identify process health metrics that can be used to measure and monitor overall health of engagement operations and outcomes. Develop protocols for evaluating and improving Circana programs.
•  Stakeholder management: Manage internal and client expectations and communications effectively and meet with them proactively to discuss program status, goals, and outcomes.
•  Strategic alignment: Ensure that projects and initiatives support both Circana and client business and partnership goals.
•  Communications and Presentation: Create and present fact-based arguments with clear next steps that influencing client decision-making. Ensure all work product, client deliverables, and communications are clear, timely, accurate, and polished.
•  Problem Solving: Use a systematic approach to break down problems into smaller pieces, understand the implications of situations, generate alternatives, and compare potential solutions before recommending and acting.
•  Knowledge of Circana capabilities: Understand how to utilize Circana data sets, solutions, and services to add value and solve business problems.
•  Budget management: Manage the program's budget and funding channels.

 Required Skills and Qualifications

•  Creative problem solver with strong critical thinking skills
•  Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills and reporting experience.
•  Excellent organizational and time management skills
•  Able to manage multiple projects concurrently, competing priorities, cope with ambiguity, and pivot effectively with poise and polish
•  Able to collaborate effectively in a cross functional environment
•  Able to define measurable goals and objectives, create process workflows, and detailed plans
•  Take initiative and operate independently or with minimum supervision
•  Able to create visually compelling, impactful, highly polished presentations and communications
•  10+ years senior level client relationship management experience
•  10+ years’ relevant program management experience in a retail setting
•  10+ years process design and solution implementation experience in a retail setting
•  Experience with project management software (e.g., Jira, Monday.com, or MS Project), MS Excel and Power Point, and data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Circana Unify)
•  Bachelor's degree, preferably in business, information technology, or quantitative field

Circana Behaviors

As well as the technical skills, experience and attributes required for the role, our shared behaviors sit at the core of our organization. Therefore, we always look for people who can continuously champion these behaviors throughout the business within their day-to-day role:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions
• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action
• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices
• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers
• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement
• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect and integrity
• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone

Location: Occasional travel to Woonsocket, RI.

The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs. The salary range for this role is $110,000.00 to $150,000.00.

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

You can apply for this role through the Circana Careers website.

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