THE ROLE & THE TEAM
Zalando is seeking an experienced and strategic Lead Program Portfolio Manager to oversee the Assortment & Inbound portfolio, which leads the development of cutting-edge tooling for both the wholesale and partner sides, enabling seamless operations across a highly interconnected ecosystem. The role involves close collaboration with key business units such as Markets, Propositions, Lounge, and Private Label, to drive innovation, streamline processes, and ensure alignment with Zalando’s ambitious strategic goals. As such, it is an opportunity to merge strategic vision with operational excellence while cultivating transformative cross-functional partnerships at Europe’s premier online fashion platform.
INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN
At Zalando, our vision is to be inclusive by design. And this vision starts with our hiring - we do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, personal expression, ethnicity, religious belief, or disability status. You are welcome to leave out your picture, age, or marital status from your application. We only assess candidates on their qualifications and merit.
We want to provide you with a great candidate experience. Feel free to inform us of any accommodations you may need, so we can best support you throughout the hiring process.
do.BETTER - our diversity & inclusion strategy: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/dobetter-our-diversity-and-i...
Our employee resource groups: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/our-employee-resource-groups
WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING)Strategic Alignment and Portfolio Optimization: Responsible for the overall success of the A&I project portfolio, ensuring its alignment with Partner Tech's (PT’s) strategic objectives. Support the prioritization and selection of projects that will have the greatest business impact, balancing risk, resource allocation, and expected outcomes to maximize portfolio value and performance.
Leadership and Team Management: Manage the program management team, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure high performance and successful project execution. Develop and foster a high-performance culture, building the team’s capabilities to handle complex and high-stakes projects across multiple functions.
Executive Stakeholder Management: Engage with senior executives and business leaders to provide regular updates on portfolio performance, risks, and opportunities. Effectively manage relationships with executive stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment on project goals, ensuring that the portfolio supports the organization’s strategic business outcomes.
Portfolio Health Monitoring and Risk Management: Continuously monitor portfolio performance, proactively identifying and mitigating risks that could threaten the successful delivery of projects. Provide actionable insights on project status, resource utilization, and dependencies to ensure that the organization’s investments are optimized and delivering expected returns.
Process and Governance Improvement: Establish and refine governance processes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of portfolio delivery. Work with functional teams to improve operational processes, introduce best practices, and increase agility in managing projects, ensuring that the organization can rapidly respond to market shifts and changing business conditions.
Resource and Budget Management: Oversee the effective allocation of resources across the portfolio, ensuring that the most critical projects have the necessary support and funding.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other senior leaders across Product, Engineering, Design & Tech Ops to ensure that project delivery aligns with the business needs and that cross-functional dependencies are managed effectively. Promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing between teams to achieve holistic business results.
WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF YOU BRINGYou have proven experience (7+ years) in project/portfolio management, preferably in a commercial or e-commerce environment.
You bring excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to engage and influence senior leaders.
You have demonstrated experience in managing cross-functional teams and navigating complex organizational structures.
You bring strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
You have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field; MBA or equivalent is a plus.
You are familiar with e-commerce business models.
Proficiency in project management and portfolio management tools (especially JIRA).
If you bring certification in project/portfolio management frameworks (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, MoP) it would be benefitial.
If you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!
OUR OFFER
Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer.
A collaborative culture that values diversity, inclusion, and innovation.
Employee shares program
40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Zalando Lounge, discounts from external partners
2 paid volunteering days a year
Hybrid working model with 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration
Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year
27 days of vacation a year to start
Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)
Family services, including counseling and support
Health and wellbeing options (including Gympass)
Mental health support and coaching available
Learn all about Zalando and our values here: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/?gh_src=22377bdd1us
