Product Operations Program Manager

Company Description

At WD, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, WD is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and WD_BLACK™.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, WD is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

Job Description

Overview

WD is seeking a highly strategic and execution-focused Program Manager to support the Product organization, reporting to the Chief of Staff. This role is designed for a strong operator who thrives in fast-paced, complex environments and brings rigor, clarity, and discipline to how the business runs.

You will own and evolve the Product operating cadence, drive executive-level decision support, and ensure alignment across Product, Engineering, Finance, Operations, and HR. This is not a reporting role—it is an inspection and execution role that directly influences business outcomes and leadership effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Own and Run the Product Operating Cadence

• Own end-to-end execution of core operating mechanisms, including Weekly Business Reviews (WBR), Monthly Business Reviews (MBR), Quarterly Business Outlooks (QBO), and Product staff meetings
• Ensure consistent, high-quality inputs, structured outputs, and disciplined follow-through across all forums
• Enforce mechanism standards (inputs, outputs, decision records, action tracking) and continuously improve operating rigor and effectiveness

Executive-Level Synthesis & Decision Support

• Synthesize complex, cross-functional inputs into concise, decision-ready materials (scorecards, one-pagers, dashboards) for senior leadership
• Surface tradeoffs, risks, and misalignment early; frame decisions with clear options and recommendations rather than status reporting

Inspection, Not Reporting

• Drive an inspection mindset across all operating reviews—focusing on metrics, drivers, deltas, and path-to-green
• Hold leaders accountable for clear ownership, measurable outcomes, and timely closure of commitments

Cross-Functional Program Leadership

• Partner with Product, Engineering, Finance, Operations, and HR to ensure alignment across roadmaps, headcount, and financial plans
• Act as a trusted operator who challenges assumptions, drives clarity, and resolves dependencies without over-reliance on executive escalation

Action & Decision Hygiene

• Maintain rigorous action tracking across all forums, including aging, escalation, and closure
• Ensure decisions and commitments are clearly documented and carried forward across cadences
• Drive continuity from QBO → MBR → WBR to ensure execution aligns with strategic commitments

Business and Financial Acumen

• Analyze operating metrics, targets, trends, and variances; connect execution performance to roadmap, headcount, and financial outcomes
• Operate effectively in ambiguity, balancing incomplete data with the need for timely decisions

Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication

• Produce clear, concise executive-level materials suitable for VP/SVP audiences and global teams
• Maintain strong meeting hygiene and consistently represent the operating model across stakeholders

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in program management, business operations, product operations, or a Chief of Staff–adjacent role
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional programs at scale
• Strong analytical skills with experience working with business and financial metrics
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level presentations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Product or Engineering organizations in a technology company
• Demonstrated success building