Job Description

Overview (Why This Role?)

We are hiring a Director of Program Management and Operations to lead the Program Management Office (PMO) and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. This leader will drive operational excellence by establishing clear standards, creating accountability across teams, and ensuring consistent execution. A successful candidate will combine strong Program and Project Management skills with the ability to design, roll out, and enforce organizational processes that enable the Product and Technology teams to deliver maximum value at speed.

About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)

Hearst Magazines’ portfolio of more than 30 iconic brands in the U.S.—including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s BAZAAR, and Popular Mechanics—inspires, entertains, and builds new and bold experiences for an engaged and growing audience across digital, video, social and print, reaching nearly 130 million readers and site visitors each month. With sophisticated content creation, cutting-edge technology, and industry-leading data capabilities, we make media and products that move people across all platforms. We are a global media company that publishes nearly 200 magazine editions and 175 websites around the world—and together, we are shaping what’s next.

Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)

• Develop and implement program strategies, plans, and initiatives that support organizational objectives and drive successful execution.
• Champion the consistent use of PMO tools, templates, and reporting mechanisms to drive transparency, accountability, and predictability across all projects.
• Implement and lead change management efforts to promote adoption of new ways of working across the organization.
• Oversee project and program health, ensuring risks are proactively identified and addressed through corrective actions.
• Create and maintain full visibility into the Product and Technology roadmap, surfacing dependencies, risks, and bottlenecks early.
• Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of Program and Project Managers; foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with senior leadership to align initiatives, secure resources, and resolve delivery barriers.
• Manage the balancing of staff, budget, and timelines across multiple programs for optimal execution.
• Define and continuously evolve the PMO framework to increase effectiveness, speed, and impact.
• Leverage agreed-upon KPIs and post-launch analytics to assess initiative success and inform future planning.

Qualifications (What We’re Looking For)

• Strong leadership, team building, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across organizational boundaries.
• Proven ability to drive accountability, enforce delivery standards, and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Extensive experience in Program Management, including planning, execution, monitoring, and risk mitigation at scale.
• Deep understanding of Agile, Scrum, and scaled agile practices, with expertise using Jira, Confluence, and portfolio-level reporting tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to senior executives.
• Experience leading PMOs in dynamic, matrixed environments, ideally during periods of transformation or growth.
• Preferred prior experience in media, publishing, or consumer digital product companies.
• Preferred experience implementing PMO standards and frameworks from the ground up.
• Preferred familiarity with tools such as Jira Align, Smartsheet, or equivalent portfolio management platforms.
• Preferred track record of delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives involving Product, Engineering, and Business teams.

Benefits (What We Offer)

• Work with the Best: Collaborate with top-tier professionals across media, advertising, tech, fashion, lifestyle, and publishing, shaping the future of these dynamic industries.
• Grow Your Skills: Unlock your potential with access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops, and exclusive industry events.
• Work-Life Harmony: Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, empowering you to balance professional success with personal priorities.
• Foster Connection & Belonging: Join our Employee Resource Groups and help create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
• Wellness First: Prioritize your well-being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance from Day 1.
• Plan for Your Financial Future: Enjoy competitive financial perks, including a 401(k) plan with a generous company match.

The base salary for this role is between $168k-200k. The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. 

Hearst Magazines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.