Operational Program Manager Jobs in Columbus, OH

POSITION SUMMARY

The New Product Development Program Manager will be instrumental in leading the development and successful launch of stateoftheart edge data center solutions, with a strong emphasis on softwaredriven, hybrid hardware/software programs. This role is responsible for managing both global and regional New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI) programs from initial concept through commercialization, including development, integration, verification, and controlled market release of software, firmware, and enabling services. It combines strategic oversight with a hands-on approach to ensure that projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget, while effectively managing multiple workstreams throughout the product life cycle.

In this role, the New Product Development Program Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams-including engineering, operations, sales, and marketing-to ensure seamless coordination and execution of all project phases. This role requires exceptional leadership, and the ability to achieve results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. A solid understanding of edge data center technologies, coupled with strong program management expertise, is essential to drive efficient project execution and deliver high-performance solutions. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Leadership: Lead and manage global and regional programs within the IT Solutions portfolio, ensuring all timelines, deliverables, and budgetary requirements are met. Provide strategic guidance to project teams and foster a collaborative environment.
• Own DaytoDay Execution: Own daytoday execution of assigned programs, including maintaining integrated schedules, tracking deliverables across engineering, quality, operations, and commercial teams, and actively driving closure of open actions.
• Comprehensive Planning & Execution: Develop and maintain detailed program schedules using enterprise tools (e.g., Smartsheet), allocate resources, and monitor progress via weekly execution reviews, metrics, and milestone health indicators. Oversee all stages of the product life cycle, ensuring compliance with the New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI) phase gate model. Manage NPDI artifacts and phase gate readiness, including Gate reviews, entry/exit criteria, corrective action plans, and schedule recovery plans.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify risks and challenges through continual engagement with workstream owners, dependency tracking, and issue escalation mechanisms, and develop mitigation strategies to ensure program success. Develop and implement mitigation strategies to ensure program success, while maintaining momentum in high-stakes situations. Own schedule slip reporting, including root cause analysis, documented recovery actions, and communication to leadership forums.
• Stakeholder Communication: Deliver clear and concise status updates and program insights to diverse stakeholders through established governance forums (e.g., weekly Project Status Reviews, cadence calls, and leadership reviews). Tailor communication for senior leadership, technical teams, and external partners. Prepare and maintain standardized program communications, including executive summaries, decision requests, risk dashboards, and action logs.
• Problem Solving & Creative Solutions: Balance business and technical requirements, driving discussions to find creative solutions that meet both operational needs and technical constraints. Act as the primary integrator across software, firmware, hardware, and operations, resolving crossfunctional conflicts, prioritization issues, and resource constraints that impact delivery commitments.
• Execution & Governance: Own and maintain program execution systems, including schedules, action trackers, and decision records. Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all program data used for leadership reporting. Enforce program operating rhythm, including agenda preparation, meeting facilitation, and followup on assigned actions. Maintain program documentation repositories and ensure artifacts are auditready at all times.
• Success criteria: Success in this role is defined by predictable program execution, transparent communication of risk and status, disciplined NPDI gate readiness, and ontime delivery of committed milestones.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of Phase-Gate NPDI processes and methodologies. 
• Experience with edge data center products is highly desirable.
• Leadership capabilities that foster teamwork, accountability, and problem-solving across diverse, global teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proactive, self-starting mindset.
• Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and change management.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical discipline; equivalent work experience will be considered.
• 3-5 years of program management experience within the critical IT systems space or a similar technical field, with a successful track record in delivering complex programs.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM, PMI-ACP, or an equivalent certification is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in project management and execution tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint, with the ability to establish and maintain scalable program tracking mechanisms. 
• Experience managing softwarecentric or hybrid programs with frequent iteration, phased release models, and evolving requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in matrixed, globally distributed teams, driving accountability without direct authority.

TIME TRAVEL REQUIRED

• 15-20% travel domestically and internationally required, with occasional participation in global meetings outside normal working hours.

#LI-RB1

The successful candidate will embrace Vertiv's Core Principals & Behaviors to help execute our Strategic Priorities. 

OUR CORE PRINCIPALS:  Safety.  Integrity.  Respect.  Teamwork.  Diversity & Inclusion.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• High-Performance Culture
• Innovation
• Financial Strength

OUR BEHAVIORS

• Own It
• Act With Urgency
• Foster a Customer-First Mindset
• Think Big and Execute
• Lead by Example
• Drive Continuous Improvement
• Learn and Seek Out Development

At Vertiv, we offer the stability of a global leader in a growing industry and the opportunity of a startup. We design, manufacture and service the mission-critical infrastructure technologies for vital applications in data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. With $5 billion in sales, a strong customer base and global reach in nearly 70 countries, our move to establish a standalone business enables us to deliver greater value to our customers and create new opportunities for our people.

 Vertiv is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We promote equal opportunities for all with respect to hiring, terms of employment, mobility, training, compensation, and occupational health, without discrimination as to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression (including transgender status or sexual stereotypes), genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, protected veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, you can request help by sending an email to help.join@vertivco.com. If you are interested in applying or learning more about this role, please visit the company's career page located on Vertiv.com/Careers

Work Authorization

No calls or agencies please. Vertiv will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.