About the group:
Cognizant’s Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services Practice (CIS), is all about accepting digital transformation by driving core modernization holistically across layers. We help customers transform infrastructure and workplace to meet the constantly evolving needs of the digital era. Our broad approach delivers key results for our customers by achieving cloud driven modernization and workplace and operational transformation to own the business in a secure environment.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
Role Title: Infra- Program Director
Location: Remote
Role Summary
The Program Director will lead and govern large-scale technology transformation programs across infrastructure, cloud, modernization, automation, digital transformation, and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), divestiture, carve-out, separation, and post-merger integration initiatives. The individual will be responsible for end-to-end program ownership, including strategy alignment, governance, stakeholder management, financial oversight, risk management, delivery execution, and business outcomes.
The role requires strong leadership capabilities, experience managing large enterprise transformation and M&A programs, and the ability to bridge business, technology, legal, finance, compliance, and delivery organizations while ensuring successful execution of strategic initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Governance
• Lead complex enterprise transformation programs from initiation through closure.
• Establish program governance structures, steering committees, and executive reporting mechanisms.
• Define program objectives, success criteria, operating model, and delivery roadmap.
• Ensure alignment of program outcomes with client and organizational strategic goals.
• Manage cross-functional delivery teams across multiple geographies and workstreams.
M&A Transformation & Separation Management
• Lead technology workstreams for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and post-merger integration programs.
• Develop and execute IT integration and separation strategies across infrastructure, applications, cloud, data, cybersecurity, and identity platforms.
• Establish and govern Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), service disentanglement activities, and TSA exit plans.
• Manage Day 1 readiness, Day 2 transformation, operational stabilization, and long-term integration objectives.
• Drive infrastructure migration, application rationalization, identity separation, data migration, and operational transition activities.
• Coordinate business and technology separation activities across multiple functional teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Ensure business continuity, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness during integration and separation events.
Stakeholder Management
• Act as trusted advisor to executive stakeholders, business sponsors, and client leadership.
• Facilitate steering committee meetings and executive governance reviews.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and provide transparent communication on program health.
• Build strong partnerships across business, architecture, engineering, operations, and vendor organizations.
Financial & Commercial Management
• Own program budgets, forecasting, resource planning, and financial governance.
• Monitor revenue, cost optimization, profitability, and financial performance.
• Ensure delivery commitments remain aligned with contractual and commercial obligations.
• Manage change requests, scope adjustments, and investment decisions.
• Track synergy realization, TSA-related costs, and financial outcomes associated with M&A integration and separation initiatives.
Risk & Compliance Management
• Establish program controls and governance frameworks.
• Drive proactive risk identification, mitigation planning, and escalation management.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, security standards, and audit controls.
• Oversee business continuity and operational readiness activities.
• Manage technology integration and separation risks, including TSA dependencies, cybersecurity, privacy, compliance, and operational continuity risks.
People Leadership
• Lead and mentor program managers, delivery leads, architects, and project teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build high-performing teams and support talent development initiatives.
• Drive performance management and succession planning across program leadership roles.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of IT industry experience.
• 8+ years of experience leading large-scale enterprise technology transformation programs.
• Proven experience managing multimillion-dollar transformation initiatives.
• Extensive experience with cloud, infrastructure, digital transformation, and modernization programs.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading globally distributed teams.
• Proven experience leading M&A technology integration, separation, divestiture, carve-out, or post-merger integration programs.
• Experience delivering Day 1 readiness, Transition Service Agreement (TSA) governance, operational transition, and post-close transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, identity management, cloud, and data migration activities within M&A environments.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience within Financial Services, Insurance, Banking, or Healthcare industries.
• Expertise in cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• Experience managing large-scale infrastructure consolidation and migration programs.
• Familiarity with AI, AIOps, automation, and operational transformation initiatives.
• Experience supporting pre-sales, solutioning, and transition-to-delivery activities.
Compensation: We are offering between $130,000 – $145,000. Applications will be accepted until Sep 18, 2026.Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Things to know before you apply
- Work authorization: Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
- Accommodations: If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
- AI in hiring: We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help us screen and assess applications more efficiently. Our team performs additional human review and ultimately decides who moves forward in our hiring process.
- Open position: Unless otherwise stated, this job posting is for an open position on our team.
- Language proficiency: We ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.
- Inclusion: Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
