Principal IT Program Manager

The Principal IT Program Manager – Global Manufacturing and Service serves as a senior strategic process leader responsible for planning, governing, and delivering complex portfolios of technology programs that enable Generac’s capability to manufacture and service to the hyper-scaler market globally. This role provides end-to-end leadership across multiple interconnected initiatives, aligning technology investments with business strategy, operational priorities, customer needs, and long-term organizational objectives.

The Principal IT Program Manager partners closely with executive leadership, product organizations, engineering teams, cybersecurity, infrastructure, enterprise architecture, and business stakeholders to drive transformational outcomes through technology modernization, cloud adoption, process automation, data enablement, and operational excellence.

This position is accountable for program governance, financial stewardship, risk management, organizational change readiness, and successful realization of business value across highly visible strategic initiatives.

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Develops and executes program strategies that align technology investments with organizational priorities and growth objectives.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, automation, AI, cloud platforms, and digital capabilities to improve business performance.
• Drives enterprise-wide adoption of scalable technology solutions and operating models.
  
  

Portfolio & Program Governance

• Oversees multiple complex programs and project portfolios simultaneously, ensuring alignment across scope, priorities, dependencies, and resources.
• Establishes governance frameworks, executive steering committees, stage-gate reviews, and performance metrics.
• Provides strategic oversight of program execution, delivery schedules, budget management, and business outcomes.
• Ensures organizational readiness, release planning, and operational transition activities are successfully completed.
  
  

Executive Stakeholder Management

• Provides regular executive-level reporting regarding program health, risks, financial performance, and strategic recommendations.
• Influences decision-making across multiple business functions and technology organizations.
• Facilitates alignment among senior leaders regarding priorities, investments, and transformation strategies.
  
  

Risk Management & Compliance

• Establishes enterprise-level risk identification, mitigation, escalation, and contingency planning processes.
• Anticipates program risks associated with technology implementation, cybersecurity, integration, regulatory requirements, and organizational change.
• Ensures compliance with governance standards, security policies, audit requirements, and technology controls.
• Drives proactive issue resolution to minimize delivery disruptions and business impacts.
  
  

Organizational Change & Continuous Improvement

• Leads transformational change initiatives, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Drives process optimization and operational improvements across technology delivery organizations.
• Establishes repeatable frameworks, governance standards, and best practices for enterprise program management.
• Mentors program managers and contributes to organizational capability development.
  
  

Financial Stewardship

• Monitors program expenditures and benefits realization.
• Partners with Finance and executive leadership to evaluate technology investments and strategic priorities.
  
  

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, or related field.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
  
  

Work Experience

• 10 years of progressive experience in technology program management, project management, digital transformation, business operations, or related strategic leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, enterprise technology programs and transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams across multiple business units and technology disciplines.
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership and influencing strategic business decisions
  
  

Work Experience

• Manufacturing, industrial technology, or global operations environments.
• Mergers, acquisitions, and business integration programs.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, analytics, and emerging technology initiatives.
• Large-scale ERP, CRM, or enterprise platform implementations.