Strategic Program Manager, Retail Business Planning

Overview

Our client is seeking a dynamic and strategic Program Manager to drive the integration and execution of Small & Medium Business (SMB) initiatives within their Retail ecosystem. The ideal candidate will be a proactive leader, adept at managing complex programs, fostering cross-functional alignment, and using data driven insights to influence senior leadership. This role requires a high degree of independence and strategic problem-solving to enhance both customer and employee experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership:

• Drive the SMB program’s management system, from strategic planning to action tracking.
• Lead key meetings, including weekly working sessions and business cases, and support preparation of senior leadership reviews, ensuring they are productive and outcome-oriented.

Operational Excellence:

• Maintain rigorous program documentation, including accurate trackers and professional, error-free communications.
• Independently manage and triage urgent requests based on strategic priorities.

Strategic Integration:

• Lead the integration of SMB efforts across Retail.
• Develop and implement frameworks to embed program goals into workflows and align priorities across various teams.

Stakeholder & Risk Management:

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to align priorities and manage program risks, dependencies, and budgets for seamless execution.
• Proactively align with stakeholders on key decisions.

Data/Business-Driven Influence:

• Articulate compelling, data/business-driven narratives to highlight program impact, engage technical and field teams, and influence senior leadership.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Problem Solving: Proactively identifies challenges, develops data-backed solutions, and drives discussions toward clear, actionable next steps with minimal supervision.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Strategically focuses interactions on business outcomes, proactively aligning with key partners on decisions before broader socialization.
• Ownership & Prioritization: Demonstrates the ability to connect disparate workstreams, own discussions to drive strategic outcomes, and effectively prioritize tasks based on high-value contributions.
• Executive Communication: Consistently provides strategic context and delivers clear, concise, seniorready communications and reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in program management or management consulting, leading initiatives across complex, cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to drive alignment across diverse partner groups, including corporate and field organizations, while effectively influencing senior leadership with a clear articulation of strategic vision and program impact.
• Experience working with the Small & Medium Business (SMB) sector, ideally within a retail environment.
• Familiarity with field sales organizations and direct-to-customer sales models.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. 

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.