Principal Program Manager Job at Zalando Lounge (Dublin)

Job Description

The Group Program Management Organization (GPMO) helps Zalando achieve its strategy by driving the intake and successful delivery of Zalando’s most impactful, collaborative, and technically complex initiatives. In order to deliver against the organizational ambitions and goals, we steer the complexity and challenges around prioritization, ranking and transparency while owning the process. Our organization with its Leadership, Portfolio Managers, and Program Managers ensures these initiatives are driven to successful delivery across services, products, business units and teams in the organization. To manage the delivery of strategic programs and projects, we are seeking to hire an experienced Principal Software Program Manager to lead key initiatives and champion program management standards in Zalando. As a Principal Software Program Manager, you will drive multiple large-scale, high-impact software programs that power our eCommerce platform. You will operate at the intersection of technology, product strategy, and execution—aligning cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and scalable customer and business solutions. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep program management expertise, exceptional leadership through influence, and a strong understanding of modern software development practices.

Job Responsibility

Strategy Translation: Convert high-level Group Strategy into executable, measurable programs that drive business growth and customer experience
Delivery: Manage complex, multi-team software programs end-to-end, ensuring stability in scope, schedule, cost, and quality
Data-Driven Decision Making: Use KPI tracking and rigorous data analysis to resolve bottlenecks and enable informed executive decisions
Risk & Dependency Management: Proactively identify and mitigate program risks and cross-portfolio dependencies to ensure reliable outcomes
Executive Alignment: Partner with leadership and PMO to champion prioritization and trade-offs across the organization
Stakeholder Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor and communication bridge between Engineering, Product, Design, Data, and Operations
Technical Communication: Translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable narratives for both technical and non-technical audiences
Influential Leadership: Motivate and align distributed, cross-functional teams through vision and credibility without direct reporting authority
Mentorship & Coaching: Support the professional development of program managers and peers in execution and delivery excellence
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster a culture of shared ownership and inclusive collaboration across diverse geographies and disciplines
Operational Excellence: Apply and evolve best-in-class methodologies to raise the organizational bar for software development practices
Problem-Solving: Lead through ambiguity and pressure, modeling accountability and proactive solutions in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

Are a strategic thinker with a proven ability to drive business outcomes through effective program and project management
Have experience in software program or technical program management, (ideally within eCommerce), with an understanding of software development methodologies
Have proven success leading multiple concurrent programs with cross-functional, globally distributed teams
Have strong stakeholder satisfaction and alignment across functions, and exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills with experience engaging at executive levels
Have a tangible impact on platform performance, customer experience, and business outcomes
Have demonstrated leadership in improving program management practices company-wide
Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced e-commerce environments, navigating seamlessly between technical and business contexts to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and execution across all hierarchy levels
Are comfortable with ambiguity and change while proactively bringing solutions to help move decisions and the organization forward
Have mastered project management methodology and frameworks
Have empathy, awareness, and understanding related to working in a mission driven and highly diverse and inclusive environment like Zalando

What we offer

40% off products sold and shipped by Zalando
2 paid volunteering days a year
Hybrid working model
Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
27 days of vacation per year to start
A one-time allowance to set up an ergonomic workstation (outside of Zalando office)
Health & Dental Insurance (opt-in)
Pension scheme & match up to 10% (opt-in)
Life Assurance
Income Protection
Cycle to Work Scheme
Tax Saver Commuter Tickets
Employee shares program
Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)
Family services, including counseling and support
Health and wellbeing options, including Gympass/Wellhub
Mental health support and coaching available
Professional development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer reviews

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Principal Program Manager

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