ZEISS is technology and innovation. We develop, manufacture and sell highly innovative products and solutions for our customers in a variety of business fields – always testing the limits of what is feasible. ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries generating more than 11.8 billion euros in revenue with around 46,000 employees across 50 countries around the globe. Founded in Germany in 1846, we are proud of our rich heritage. As a company wholly owned by a foundation, ZEISS is rooted in and committed to responsibility in all its activities. Therefore, 15% of revenue is currently invested in science and R&D. ZEISS is convinced that innovation and technology are the key to a sustainable future and solutions for global challenges. If you want to enable business success and make a difference with us, ZEISS is the right place for you!
Purpose of this role
The Senior Program and Strategy Manager, Consumer Eyecare combines rigorous program governance with strategic business development. This individual…
Key responsibilities
Program governance & execution
- Own the integrated timeline: Build and maintain the timeline and critical path; ensure consistency/quality of workstream plans; manage dependencies and the critical path
- Run program governance end-to-end: SteerCos, weekly/bi-weekly cadences, workstream reviews, risk reviews; standardized agendas, pre-reads, minutes, action tracking, and follow-ups
- Drive cross-functional and cross-regional alignment: Align functions and teams, proactively resolve blockers, accelerate decisions
- Institutionalize RAID management and mitigation tracking: ensure risks/issues are surfaced early, owned, and actively closed
- Drive stage-gate readiness: Orchestrate gate deliverables, coordinate cross‑functional inputs, and ensure timely delivery & decisions
- Manage external partners and timelines (e.g., contract manufacturers): Together with Procurement, manage and track delivery, cost, and timing of external partners
- Support financial steering: Track cost center spends vs. plan, support forecasting, and quantify execution impacts (delay cost, scope changes)
- Lead quarterly OKR planning and review cycles across functions and regions: Ensure measurable outcomes, accountability, and transparent progress reporting
- Institutionalize ways of working: Templates, standards, routines, playbooks, and lessons learned to scale the Consumer Eyecare PMO
Strategy and Business Development
- Lead quarterly OKR planning and review cycles across functions and regions: Ensure measurable outcomes, accountability, and transparent progress reporting
- Institutionalize ways of working: Templates, standards, routines, playbooks, and lessons learned to scale the Consumer Eyecare PMO
Role requirements
- 5-8 years of combined experience in program/project management, strategy, management consulting, or business development-ideally in (Consumer) Healthcare, MedTech, or related industries
- Proven track record delivering multi-country product launches and/or large-scale programs with measurable outcomes (time, cost, quality)
- Strong governance and execution experience: integrated planning, RAID discipline, action management, escalation judgment, and executive-ready reporting
- Proven experience conducting market analysis, building business cases, and delivering strategic recommendations to senior leadership
- Ability to drive accountability; excellent stakeholder management across functions, regions, and seniority levels
- Strong dependency management and structured problem-solving; comfortable translating ambiguity into executable plans
- Advanced proficiency with project management and reporting tools (e.g., Smartsheet/MS Project), plus advanced skills in MS PowerPoint/Excel
- High-quality written and verbal communication; able to synthesize complex inputs into clear management narratives
- Comfortable operating across time zones and cultures; high reliability, ownership mindset, and resilience under pressure
Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That’s just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people. In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long‑term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.
Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.
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Senior Program & Strategy Manager in Birmingham employer: Carl Zeiss Vision UK Ltd.
At Carl Zeiss Vision UK Ltd., we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises employee development and satisfaction. As an Optical Quality Analyst, you'll benefit from comprehensive training programs and opportunities for career advancement, all while working in our state-of-the-art Birmingham facility, which is dedicated to excellence in product quality and customer service.
