Project Governance Manager Jobs in Hamden, CT (NOW HIRING)

At Zygo, your skills and insights will be integral to our core values of curiosity, collaboration, and persistence. For over 50 years, Zygo Corporation in Middlefield, CT, has been a global leader in designing and manufacturing advanced optical metrology systems, ultra-precise optical components, and complex electro-optical systems and assemblies. Join our team, where your expertise will drive cutting-edge solutions, address complex technical challenges, and uphold the highest standards of precision and safety.

The Project Manager, Operational Excellence & Transformation leads strategic, cross-functional initiatives that improve operational performance, manufacturing capabilities, facilities infrastructure, and organizational effectiveness. This role drives execution of complex projects and transformation programs by coordinating stakeholders, managing schedules and budgets, mitigating risks, and ensuring successful delivery of business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Leadership

• Lead cross-functional projects and transformation initiatives that support operational excellence, business growth, and manufacturing performance.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, budgets, resource requirements, risk mitigation plans, and governance processes.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.

Operational Excellence & Business Improvement

• Partner with business leaders to implement initiatives that improve productivity, quality, capacity, lead time, inventory management, and cost performance.
• Monitor project outcomes and ensure realization of operational and financial benefits.
• Promote standardized project management and continuous improvement practices across the organization.

Facilities & Transformation Initiatives

• Coordinate facility, infrastructure, manufacturing expansion, and capital investment projects.
• Support manufacturing transfers, footprint optimization, capacity planning, and multi-site improvement initiatives.
• Ensure project execution minimizes disruption to ongoing operations.

Change Management

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external partners to drive project success.
• Facilitate decision-making, issue resolution, executive communications, and project governance reviews.
• Build alignment and accountability across diverse stakeholder groups to support successful change adoption.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business or a related field.
• 7+ years of project, program, operations, engineering, or manufacturing leadership experience; multi-site experience or transformations preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong project planning, budgeting, risk management, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with project management methodologies and tools; PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Direct experience with facility modernization, manufacturing expansion, capital projects, cleanroom environments, or highly regulated manufacturing environments a plus.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Planning & Execution
• Change Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Risk Management
• Financial & Business Acumen
• Executive Communication
• Stakeholder Influence
• Results Orientation

Bring your passion and commitment to Zygo, where we are curious, collaborative, persistent, and confident, and where safety and quality guide every step of our journey. Grow with us as we solve complex challenges, inspire confidence, and drive excellence in manufacturing.

Are you ready to expand the boundaries of possibility, simplify the complex, and embody the values that define our success? We welcome your unique perspective and invite you to join us!

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, retirement (401k), and paid time off programs. Compensation and position level will be set based on experience.

*Due to the nature of Zygo's programs and products, applicants must have the legal right to work in the US and additionally must be legally authorized to access export-controlled information and source code