Senior Director, Global Program Management (Early Stage R&D - Instrumentation)

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.

We are currently hiring for a Senior Technical Leader within Instrumentation to drive execution of its most critical product development projects. The role is to be based at our Lake Forest, California site.

Role Summary: The Sr. Director, Global Program Manager is responsible for leading and driving the execution of Alcon's most critical development projects (Alcon Top Projects, ATPs) with full ownership and accountability for technical, commercial, and strategic deliverables. The role serves as the single Project and Core Team leader, fostering cross-functional collaboration to ensure the timely and cost-effective progress of project deliverables. Reporting directly to Tech Platform Leads, the Global Program Manager works to align all relevant functional stakeholders and senior management with the project strategy. Drives delivery of quality project milestones while seeking opportunities to accelerate delivery and navigate challenges with urgency and complete accountability. Responsible for content reporting to Alcon’s Innovation Board for new product development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define the project’s execution path in alignment with governance requirements.

• Collaborate with functional stakeholders and senior management to design, develop, and launch products that meet customer needs and business objectives.

• Engage, influence, and ensure alignment of Core Team members and stakeholders with project strategy, providing constructive challenge to team members and other stakeholders where relevant

• Resolve conflicts within the team and stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of projects.

• Manage cross-functional dependencies and drive accountability for project deliverables.

• Lead project reviews with senior management and relevant governance bodies.

• Manage project budgets, risks, and issue escalation, ensuring proactive resolution.

• Prioritize and balance activities that drive value, quality, and business acceleration.

• Participate in the selection and performance management of Core Team members.

Key Skills & Essential Requirements:

Domain:

• Strong technical/scientific knowledge

• Proven product development experience with a track record of having developed complex, high visibility and strategically important projects and product launches.

• Demonstrated business acumen and deep understanding of market requirements and alignment with company strategy.

• Proficient project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, budgets, and resources.

Leadership:

• Proven leadership experience in a matrixed, multifunctional environment.

• Strong communication skills and executive presence with the ability to drive progress and align senior stakeholders.

• Ability to network and orchestrate across the organization and lead people effectively.

• Experience managing risks and resolving issues in complex, cross-functional settings.

Behavioral:

• Takes ownership and demonstrates accountability for project and team outcomes.

• Leads decisively, driving swift decision-making based on enterprise considerations.

• Thinks strategically, challenges the status quo, and ensures focus remains on value-driving activities.

• Fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and trust within the team.

• Reacts quickly to new information, and quickly/nimbly re-aligns project activities (across the project) with business strategy

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Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Salary : $205,920 - $308,880