Overview:
Join Cognizant as an inspiring leader within the Program & Project Management community. This key role is responsible and accountable for Program Management activities associated with complex, multi-service (Application Development and Maintenance, Infrastructure, Business Process, and Digital) programs delivered via offshore delivery centers (e.g., GCC). Successful candidates will bring a strong consulting and transformation mindset — capable of defining strategic outcomes, advising clients with confidence, and driving business value through disciplined, AI-enabled program execution. They will manage delivery objectives while maintaining responsibility for customer satisfaction and the client relationships required for successful program delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Governance & Delivery
• Establishes, executes, and oversees program governance (i.e., stakeholder management, communication ceremonies, benefits management, change management, scope management)
• Establishes, executes, and oversees delivery estimation and planning (team resource and timeline) across Cognizant organization (pursuit through sprints/PIs)
• Ensures tracking/measurement and progress against established measures and metrics (e.g., bid vs did, SLA, and any other operational or contractual measures)
• Drives optimal business value through scope management, change management, and communication ceremonies
• Owns MSA and SOW activation, monitoring compliance and adherence to contractual terms and intent
Strategy, Transformation & Consulting
• Brings a strategy and consulting mindset to every engagement — shaping program direction, framing business problems, and aligning delivery to measurable client outcomes
• Leads client-facing programs by defining outcomes, governance, and business value while supporting solutioning and proposals
• Partners with clients to identify transformation opportunities, translate strategic intent into executable program roadmaps, and sustain advisory-level relationships with IT, VMO, and business stakeholders
• Drives end-to-end program delivery using AI-enabled tools and modern PMO practices to improve execution, reporting, and decision-making
• Contributes to practice growth through best practice development, knowledge sharing, and mentoring teams on AI-enabled program management
Client & Business Development
• Supports pursuits (and/or runs them as programs) as required
• Collaborates with Commercial/Account Team to grow the business by identifying and defining business value opportunities for the client
• Establishes and builds relationships with client and other stakeholders for program and portfolio
Leadership & Community
• Leads team by supporting and driving career growth, personal/team development, well-being, diversity, and inclusion
• Leads and personally contributes to the continuous improvement of the program management community (i.e., best practices, networking, standards, training, tools)
• Mentors program and project managers on AI-enabled program management approaches, modern PMO tooling, and consulting mindset
• Supports 1 or more PPM CoE OKR initiatives
Required Qualifications:
• 12-15 years in strategy, operations, process consulting, stakeholder management, project/program delivery within legacy modernization or digital transformations
• Demonstrated consulting and transformation mindset with experience advising client stakeholders on program strategy, business case development, and outcomes-based delivery
• Project/Program training and certifications (PMI/SAFe 5.0/Prince II); PL3 (Specialist) proficiency across Project and Program Management, Consultative and Commercial, Industry/Archetype Specialization, Leadership, and AI Fluency
• Experience in the set-up and/or operation of offshore delivery centers
• Experience delivering complex programs involving teams across multiple geographies
• Experience supporting deal solutioning, proposals, and identifying relevant program risks
• Demonstrated ability to present solutions from a Program Management and consulting standpoint
• Experience managing client stakeholders across IT, VMO, and business
• Adept with multicultural, multi-geo working teams and stakeholders
• Experience in contract management
• Program delivery experience involving 3 or more service lines
• Hands-on experience with AI-enabled PMO tools, reporting automation, and data-driven decision-making in program delivery
• Experience in delivering Transformational commitments, productivity goals, and offshoring commitments
Required Education:
MBA or Master's degree strongly preferred; Bachelor's degree required
Work Authorization:
Must be legally authorized to work in India without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time 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.
Additional employment information
Compensation 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.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
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, state or local laws.
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.
