Project Manager, NAM Strategy Execution

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

•   Develop, support and manage key strategic initiatives/projects/programs, from planning to execution, across the NAM organization
• Translating high-level, long-term corporate strategy into concrete activities, milestones and goals
• Driving and guiding initiative owners in planning, execution and tracking the modules and initiatives – while providing deep-dive support on select initiatives with value-added analysis
• Initiating regular communication and working sessions with the management team on initiative progress, issues, decisions and recommended future actions
• Developing, sharing & implementing best practices across the organization

Key Responsibilities:

Planning  

• Develop and execute a systematic approach to support senior management in identifying the right strategic priorities to focus on
• Coordinate and manage initiative development, planning and prioritization across functions
• Drive and guide initiative business owners in setting objectives, developing detailed plans and KPIs
  
   

Management

• Alignment with director to ensure projects are focused on the right strategic initiatives and priorities
• Engage with business owners and management to determine role and contribution for each initiative
• Coordinate and drive regular progress updates while ensuring consistent planning and execution from function to function
  
   

Financial  

• Drive budget management, business case modelling, cost/return estimations, analytics (as required)
  
   

Systems and Processes

• Closely track project life cycle and organize regular updates with management on initiative progress
• During planning and execution, provide value-added analytical support to enable fact-based decisions
• Coordinate with Human Resources on initiative KPI’s and performance evaluation
• Creates and maintains tools to support Strategy Execution governance processes

People Management

• Develop and lead the project/program team leveraging adidas values to fulfil its mission and targets
• Provide objective perspective on progress, priorities and directions while managing expectations
• Provide feedback to initiative business owners/team to ensure high quality, timely execution
• Actively manage a network across the organization to ensure the project remains highly relevant to the business and its priorities

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Global project leaders, stakeholders, and subject matter experts
• Senior management, functional leaders, stakeholders and subject matter experts

External

• Service providers / vendors
• Accounts

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to define, plan, structure and lead a project (scope, schedule, budget, resources)
• High emotional quotient and stakeholder management aptitude
• Ability to summarize complex topics in simple terms and adapt to diverse audiences
• Ability to understand the strategic objectives of a market and tie project objectives and KPIs into the financial/strategic goals to track project success
• Strong team player with proven ability to work cross-functionally to achieve goals and objectives
• Self-starter with ownership attitude who thrives under tight deadlines
• Communication and presentation skills (both written and verbal)
• Ability to lead and facilitate discussions in small and large groups
• Ability to manage and participate in complex global and regional projects as assigned.
• Ability to understand and use data to make decisions and influence outcomes.
• Extensive knowledge of project management principles and methodologies

• Proficiency in MS Office & basic financial and modelling knowledge

• Excellent logical thinking and analytical skills
• Proficiency in SmartSheet required
• Willingness to learn – to build business acumen and develop general management competency

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• Proven project management experience
• Minimum of 3-5 years of general business experience
• Experience working in/with a leading consumer brand
• Experience in working closely with senior managers and leaders across functions
• Experience in management consulting preferred
• MBA or other business-related qualification