This role requires exceptional stakeholder management capabilities, strong technical understanding of modern software delivery methodologies, and the ability to successfully lead cross-functional teams in a multicultural and global environment.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Program & Project Leadership :

- Lead end-to-end execution of automotive platform modernization and migration initiatives.

- Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, milestones, and delivery roadmaps.

- Define project objectives, scope, timelines, budgets, and resource requirements.

- Drive successful delivery of large-scale connected vehicle and mobility platform transformation programs.

- Ensure alignment between business goals, technology strategies, and customer expectations.

2. Platform Modernization & Migration :

- Manage migration of legacy automotive platforms to modern cloud-native architectures.

- Oversee system integration activities involving multiple enterprise applications and third-party ecosystems.

- Coordinate platform transition activities while ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.

- Support modernization initiatives involving connected vehicle services, telematics systems, and digital mobility platforms.

- Ensure seamless interoperability between existing and future-state technology environments.

3. Stakeholder & Customer Management :

- Act as the primary interface between clients, executive leadership, engineering teams, and delivery organizations.

- Facilitate governance meetings, steering committee discussions, and executive reviews.

- Present project updates, risks, mitigation plans, and status reports to senior stakeholders.

- Build strong relationships with customer teams and business leaders.

- Ensure transparent communication across all levels of the organization.

4. Risk & Delivery Management :

- Identify project risks, dependencies, issues, and constraints proactively.

- Establish mitigation strategies and contingency plans to ensure project success.

- Monitor delivery health, quality metrics, timelines, and resource utilization.

- Drive resolution of escalations and critical program challenges.

- Ensure compliance with organizational governance frameworks and delivery standards.

5. Global Team Coordination :

- Coordinate delivery activities across geographically distributed teams.

- Manage collaboration between onsite, offshore, and partner organizations.

- Facilitate communication between Japanese stakeholders and international delivery teams.

- Foster alignment across business, product, engineering, architecture, and operations functions.

Required Skills & Experience :

1. Mandatory Skills :

- 12+ years of experience in Project or Program Management.

- Proven experience managing large-scale digital transformation initiatives.

- Strong domain expertise in :

1. Automotive OEM environments

2. Connected Vehicle Platforms

3. Telematics Solutions

4. Mobility Services

5. Vehicle Data Platforms

- Experience delivering :

1. Platform Modernization Programs

2. Legacy System Transformation Initiatives

3. Large-scale Migration Projects

4. Enterprise System Integration Engagements

- Strong knowledge of :

1. Risk Management

2. Issue Management

3. Dependency Tracking

4. Stakeholder Management

5. Governance Processes

- Demonstrated executive-level communication and customer engagement capabilities.

- Experience managing global delivery teams across multiple regions.

- Strong understanding of :

1. Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

2. Agile Methodologies

3. Scrum Frameworks

4. Waterfall Delivery Models

5. Hybrid Delivery Approaches

- Excellent planning, organizational, and leadership skills.

- Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English (Mandatory).

2. Preferred Skills :

- Experience in connected car ecosystems and mobility technologies.

- Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

- Knowledge of DevOps, CI/CD, and cloud-native application modernization.

- Familiarity with automotive communication protocols and vehicle connectivity architectures.

- Experience working with Japanese automotive manufacturers and suppliers.

- PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, or Scrum certifications are preferred.

3. Educational Qualification :

- Master's degree in Business Administration or Project Management will be an added advantage.

Key Competencies :

- Strategic thinking and execution excellence.

- Strong leadership and decision-making capabilities.

- Exceptional client-facing and presentation skills.