Principal Program Manager

About Us

CDK Global is a leading provider of cloud-based software to dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) across automotive and related industries. The Company’s cloud-based, software as a service (“SaaS”) platform enables dealerships to manage their end-to-end business operations including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, repair, and maintenance of vehicles. By automating and streamlining critical workflows, the integrated platform of modern solutions enables dealers to sell and service more vehicles by creating simple and convenient experiences for customers and improves their financial and operational performance.

Leads multiple product or platform portfolios and/or manages SME's working within those products or platforms.  Coordinates roadmap direction, identifies and engages stakeholders both internal and external to CDK, is able to look outside of CDK for potential solutions relative to Customer Care goals and initiatives.  Provides detailed focus to strategy and aligns said strategy with other departmental influencers including engineering, sales, implementation and finance when necessary.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions 

• Works collaboratively across internal and external teams to assist with project roadmaps in order to assure ongoing supportability and customer satisfaction. Acts as the SME for team and jumps in where needed to assist in complex projects and situations. 
• Identifies greater team needs/priorities and develops and delivers in-house training plans to meet those needs, specifically for product/platform tools & processes.  Responsible for training plans. Works with stakeholders to ensure training is executed accurately. Works with upper leadership to ensure alignment cross-functionally.  Ensuring team is able to action new training and execute on direction. Delivers supporting documentation when necessary and store documentation in an efficient and centralized manner
• Proactively takes the lead on identifying areas of opportunity and ways to enhance efficiency across the team. Looking for ways to reduce time; ways to upskill newly hired employees and decrease ramp up time
• Although not fully designed as a tiered escalation point, is able to take on critical and higher ordered issues while acting as both SME and Managerial liason within Customer Care.  This may include onsite client engagement representing CDK in an executive capacity.
• Proactively defines and drives opportunities that include product/platform efficiency, performance enhancement, security, profitability and cost reductions
• Facilitates product/platform launch/MBR/QBR meetings in alignment with roadmap management to serve as product/platform expert representing Customer Care
• Anticipates bottlenecks, provides escalation management, supplies tradeoffs analysis, and balances the customer and/or business needs versus technical constraints.
• Provides regular context and communication. Facilitates the acceptance of change in the workplace. Acts as a change agent for their team. Takes the unpopular stand to challenge the status quo, but support the unified decision of the management team, even if initially against it.
• Identifies business opportunities for efficiency and modernization within the scope of their team and across the organization as a whole. Defines business strategy and articulates budget required to achieve with full risk/opportunity scope
• Develops strong working relationships with cross functional departments and or outside vendor.  Is accessible to contributors at all levels.
• Responsible for the care and wellbeing of team members without sacrificing business objectives.  ​

Qualifications

• A fluent and highly articulate communicator with excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with functional business leaders, subject matter experts and peers to support project goals, timelines, and resource plans. Ability to achieve through influence in addition to direct ownership of needed resources.
• Ability to collaborate and drive difficult decisions among business partners
• Analytically driven and fluent with data-driven analysis and performance metrics including data visualizations for leadership presentations
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks or projects across the organization that align with the strategic objectives and business goals
• Ability to problem-solve and work well in complex, ambiguous situations
• Experience in managing and directing outcome in a vendor partnered relationship along with experience in managing and directing virtual and remote teams and resources.
• Excellent written and verbal skills with a strong aptitude for presenting succinctly
• Some travel may be required

Education/ Experience 

• Five + years' experience supporting technology programs or platforms
• Bachelor’s Degree Computer Science, Business, or Engineering

Salary Range: $145,000 - $185,000

CDK Global is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Compensation packages are based on several factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, certifications, and work location.  The total compensation package for this position may also include annual performance bonus, benefits and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans.We offer Medical, dental, and vision benefits in addition to:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• 401K Matching Program

• Tuition Reimbursement

At CDK, we believe inclusion and diversity are essential in inspiring meaningful connections to our people, customers and communities. We are open, curious and encourage different views, so that everyone can be their best selves and make an impact.

CDK is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workforce where everyone is valued. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed or religion, age, disability (including pregnancy), results of genetic testing, service in the military, veteran status or any other category protected by law.

Applicants for employment in the US must be authorized to work in the US.  CDK may offer employer visa sponsorship to applicants.