Senior Manager, Project/Program Management (People Leader) – CAI Inventory Solutions PMO

Company

Cox Automotive - USA

Business Operations

Sr Lead Project / Program Manager

Sr Manager - Non People LeaderHybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week

Yes, 25% of the time

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $122,600.00 - $204,400.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

**Location Requirement:** This role is based in the Atlanta, GA area and requires work on-site a few days each week. 

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Strategic Portfolio / Program Management is a people-first delivery leader responsible for building, developing, and retaining high-performing Program Manager(s) while owning the execution of the most complex, strategic, and cross-functional programs at Manheim. This role is a portfolio-level integrator and trusted thought partner to executive sponsors, shaping how the PMO delivers measurable business value.

As a direct people manager, this leader helps set team direction, owns performance and career development, and holds direct reports accountable to delivery standards and professional growth. They establish the delivery approach, embed AI-powered and responsible program management practices, and elevate the storytelling quality of the team so the right decisions get made faster.

The Senior Manager brings executive presence, deep program management craft, and the ability to influence without authority across all levels of the organization. They are sought out by senior leaders for their judgment, not just their process rigor — and they build teams that reflect that same standard.

Responsibilities

Lead, Develop & Retain the Team

•         Directly manage 1-2+ Program Managers; owns hiring, onboarding, performance management, and offboarding with full accountability for their effectiveness and output quality.

•         Establishes clear performance expectations and conducts regular, candid coaching conversations, addresses performance gaps early and with directness.

•         Owns the stakeholder feedback loop for direct reports — proactively solicits input from program sponsors, cross-functional partners, and executive stakeholders to inform development conversations, performance calibration, and visibility for the PM team.

•         Creates individualized development plans for each direct report; identifies growth opportunities aligned to their career goals and the evolving needs of the PMO.

•         Cultivates a high-trust, psychologically safe team culture where candor, continuous improvement, and ownership are expected norms — not aspirational values.

•         Partners with HR and leadership on compensation and promotion decisions for direct reports.

•         Models the behaviors and delivery standards expected of the PMO team; leads from the front on executive communication, structured thinking, and accountability.

Prepare, Manage & Lead Programs

•         Leads and manages large, complex enterprise-level programs spanning multiple teams, business units, and integration points outside normal project scope.

• Works on programs that have strategic importance to the business, ensuring alignment to Manheim’s overall strategy.

• Understands the long-term strategy of the Business Units (s)he supports and works to ensure the programs and projects within the overall portfolio align to those strategies.

• Translates ambiguous strategies into actionable project plans.

•         Proactively identifies when a program scope has drifted from its strategic in