Strategic Development Program Manager

Strategic Development Program Manager

Element is seeking a Strategic Development Program Manager to support strategic planning and operational transformation within the A&E Business Unit. This position may be based in Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Boxborough, MA; Jupiter, FL; or Chicago, IL. This role is well suited for candidates with approximately 36 years of professional experience who are highly organized, execution-driven, and motivated to learn the business quickly.

This role provides exposure to multi-site operations, strategic initiatives, and senior leadership while building the skills needed to progress into future operational leadership roles such as Operations Manager or Department Manager.

Salary: $80,000- $100,000/yr DOE

Responsibilities

1. Support the development and execution of strategic initiatives aligned with A&E and PQT objectives.
2. Lead or support cross-functional projects focused on operational performance, quality, and business improvement.
3. Apply foundational project management principles to plan, organize, and execute project deliverables.
4. Build strong relationships across the organization to support integration, alignment, and collaboration.
5. Use influence and collaboration to drive progress and support change initiatives without direct authority.
6. Own assigned actions through completion with a strong focus on execution, follow-through, and closing results.
7. Communicate project status, milestones, risks, and outcomes clearly and effectively to stakeholders.
8. Support training, coaching, and change-management activities tied to improvement initiatives.
9. Use digital tools, enterprise systems, and data analysis to support decision-making and performance tracking.
10. Demonstrate a proactive, go-getter mindset with a strong bias toward execution.

Skills / Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Strategy, or a related field.
• Approximately 36 years of experience in operations, strategy, consulting, continuous improvement, or related roles.
• Exposure to project management through professional experience, internships, co-ops, or formal coursework.
• Highly organized with strong prioritization, time-management, and execution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership and drive work to completion.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to integrate quickly, influence stakeholders, and collaborate across teams.
• Foundational knowledge of Lean or continuous improvement concepts. QRM exposure is a plus but not required.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and basic data interpretation.
• Comfortable working with digital tools, enterprise systems, and business platforms (deep technical expertise not required).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (40%+).

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

"If you need an accommodation filling out an application, or applying to a job, please email Recruitment@element.com"