Job Description
The Transition Program Manager will lead the development and deployment of standardized transition methodologies across Shared Service Centres and multiple business functions. This role requires managing complex, cross-functional transition programs with timelines exceeding 6 months and carrying moderate to high organizational risk. The successful candidate will serve as the primary architect of transition frameworks, governance structures and reporting mechanisms while partnering with functional leaders, Learning & Development teams and HR to ensure organizational readiness and successful program delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Transition Framework & Methodology
Design, develop and deploy comprehensive transition methodologies and frameworks aligned with organizational best practices
Establish standardized transition processes, tools, templates and governance structures applicable across all Shared Service Centres
Embed transition frameworks across functional areas, ensuring adoption and consistent application
Continuously refine and optimize transition approaches based on lessons learned and industry best practices
Program Management & Delivery
Define, scope, initiate and manage large-scale departmental transition programs from inception through closure
Lead cross-functional transition initiatives spanning multiple geographies and business units
Develop detailed program plans, including milestones, dependencies, resource allocation and critical path analysis
Manage program scope, schedule, budget and quality to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery
Identify and mitigate program risks and issues through proactive risk management strategies
Ensure alignment of transition activities with broader organizational strategic objectives
Stakeholder Collaboration & Consulting
Partner with functional change leads to consult on and co-design transition plans tailored to specific business needs
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on transition strategy, approach and execution
Facilitate cross-functional workshops and working sessions to drive alignment and decision-making
Build strong relationships with stakeholders across functions, geographies and organizational levels
Manage stakeholder expectations and communications throughout the transition lifecycle
Learning & Development Partnership
Collaborate closely with L&D teams to develop comprehensive pre-process and process training documentation
Define training requirements, delivery approaches and execution plans for transition initiatives
Ensure alignment between transition timelines and training readiness milestones
Coordinate the development of tailored pre-process training programs to ensure employee readiness
Monitor training completion rates and effectiveness as key transition readiness indicators
Employee Readiness & Change Management
Assess organizational readiness for transitions and develop mitigation strategies for gaps
Design and implement change management activities to support employee adoption and engagement
Ensure employees are prepared for process changes through targeted readiness assessments
Coordinate with HR teams on workforce planning, communication strategies and employee support mechanisms
Monitor and address employee concerns and resistance throughout transition phases
Coordination & Communication
Orchestrate coordination across multiple teams including functional leads, HR, L&D, IT and operations
Facilitate regular status meetings and working sessions with cross-functional team members
Ensure seamless information flow between project teams, leadership and stakeholders
Manage dependencies and interfaces between parallel workstreams and initiatives
Monitoring, Reporting & Governance
Establish comprehensive monitoring and reporting frameworks to track transition progress
Develop and maintain transition dashboards, scorecards and KPIs
Provide weekly and monthly executive reporting on transition tollgates, milestones and progress
Prepare and deliver presentations to global executive leadership on program status, risks and decisions required
Implement governance mechanisms including steering committees and tollgate review processes
Escalate issues and risks appropriately with recommended mitigation approaches
Required Qualifications
Education & Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Information Systems or related field required
Master's degree preferred
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire.
Transition or Change management certification (Prosci, CCMP or equivalent) preferred
Experience
7-10 years of progressive project/program management experience
Minimum 5 years managing large-scale, complex transition or transformation programs
Demonstrated experience with Shared Services environments and multi-site implementations
Proven track record managing programs with budgets exceeding $1M and teams of 10+ FTEs
Experience working in matrixed, global organizations with cross-cultural teams
Background in process improvement, change management or business transformation initiatives
Technical Skills & Competencies
Program Delivery Excellence: Proven ability to deliver complex programs on time, within budget and meeting quality standards
Financial Management: Strong budget development, forecasting and financial tracking capabilities
Risk Management: Expert in identifying, assessing, mitigating and monitoring program risks and issues
Estimating & Planning: Advanced skills in developing realistic estimates, schedules and resource plans
Transition Methodology: Deep understanding of transition frameworks, cutover planning and go-live execution
Change Management: Expertise in change management principles, stakeholder engagement and adoption strategies
Process Design: Ability to design, document and implement business processes and operating procedures
Tools & Technology
Advanced proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Jira or similar)
Expert-level Microsoft Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)
Experience with collaboration platforms (SharePoint, Teams, Confluence)
Familiarity with reporting and dashboard tools (Power BI, Tableau or similar)
Leadership & Soft Skills
Exceptional leadership and influencing skills without direct authority
Outstanding communication skills (written, verbal, presentation) for executive audiences
Strong consulting and advisory capabilities
Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity in complex situations
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across diverse global teams
High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management skills
Results-oriented with strong attention to detail and quality
Working Conditions
This role may require up to travel to Shared Service Centre locations and business units
Flexibility to accommodate global time zones for meetings and reporting
Hybrid work environment with expectation of on-site presence for key program milestones
Success Metrics
Successful deployment of transition framework across all 6 Shared Service Centres
Achievement of transition program milestones and tollgates within agreed timelines
Stakeholder satisfaction scores from functional leaders and executive sponsors
Employee readiness scores and training completion rates
Program delivery within budget and scope parameters
Quality of executive reporting and governance processes
Risk mitigation effectiveness and issue resolution timeliness
