Strategic Initiative (SI) Program Manager (E6201)

Job Summary The SI Program Manager is the dedicated process owner and coordination point for Strategic Initiative ideas moving through IEEE's investment pathways and stage-gate process. As ideas enter the pipeline, this role participates in the initial screening and classification process, working closely with both the strategy and innovation arms of the Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Engagement (SIE) to determine whether an idea is SI in nature and to ensure alignment between the two functions before an idea is confirmed and moves forward. Once classified, the SI Program Manager facilitates the idea's progression through the stage-gate process, working directly with the submitter, managing the idea's status in the IEEE Ideas portal, and coordinating the logistics of readiness, including determining when an idea is prepared to move to Innovation Committee for funding review. This is fundamentally a process and facilitation role, but its value lies in being a close, informed bridge between Strategy and Innovation: the SI Program Manager must understand SI and adjacent investment categories clearly enough to identify them accurately, flag synergies or recategorization needs as they surface, and keep the Senior Director of Enterprise Strategy, Innovation, and Engagement, the Innovation Operations Principal, and the Innovation Director regularly informed so that classification and progression decisions are made collaboratively.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Classification & Alignment:
• Participate in the initial screening of incoming ideas to help determine whether they are SI in nature, working jointly with Strategy and Innovation stakeholders
• Facilitate alignment discussions between the Strategy and Innovation arms of SIE when an idea's classification is unclear or contested
• Flag ideas that may have synergies with other pathways or that need recategorization, and work with Strategy and Innovation leads to resolve them
• Stage-Gate Facilitation:
• Once an idea is confirmed as SI and alignment is reached, facilitate its progression through the stage-gate process (Submission, Screening & Refinement, Review & Pitch, Execute Pilot, Scale), working directly with the submitter at each step
• Maintain the idea's status and record in the Ideas portal as it moves through the pipeline, ensuring the system of record reflects where each idea actually stands
• Track open items and follow-ups per idea; identify stalled or at-risk ideas early
• Funding Readiness & Committee Logistics:
• Work with idea owners to shape submissions into funding-ready cases and guide them through the appropriate funding pathway based on thresholds
• Coach idea owners in preparing their pitch for Innovation Committee review
• Manage the logistics of moving an idea to Innovation Committee once it is ready, coordinating scheduling, materials, and readiness confirmation
• Coordination & Reporting:
• Serve as the primary, ongoing bridge between the strategy and innovation arms of SIE on all SI-related activity
• Run a regular touchpoint/status update with the Senior Director of Enterprise Strategy, Innovation, and Engagement, the Innovation Operations Principal, and the Innovation Director - covering new classifications, alignment questions, progression status, readiness for committee, and any recategorization or synergy flags
• Track Idea decisions along the stage-gate process (Advance / Strengthen & Iterate / Redirect / Close-Hold) and manage next steps for each outcome
• Other:
• Support refinement of SI classification criteria and process as the pipeline matures
• Participate in regular check-ins with Strategy & Innovation stakeholders; field ad hoc classification or status questions as they arise

Work Experience

• 4-7 years Program/project management, portfolio coordination, or process facilitation, ideally spanning both strategic and operational functions Pref
• Strong judgment and pattern recognition; able to assess an idea against defined investment-category criteria and recognize when something doesn't cleanly fit, rather than forcing a classification Pref
• Comfortable operating as a bridge between two functions (Strategy and Innovation), synthesizing input from both to inform one another Pref
• Strong stakeholder coordination skills; able to manage multiple concurrent relationships (Idea Owners, Strategy and Innovation leads, Innovation Committee) without things falling through the cracks Pref
• Able to translate a rough or early-stage idea into a structured, funding-ready case, and coach idea owners through that process Pref
• Clear, proactive communicator; expected to surface classification questions, progression status, and emerging risks to leadership on a regular cadence without prompting Pref
• Comfortable working within a defined tool/process (portal-based stage-gate workflow) Pref

Other Requirements:

As defined in IEEE Policies, individuals currently serving on an IEEE board or committee are not eligible to apply.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is not budgeted for employer-sponsored immigration support, this includes all persons in F (both CPT and OPT), J, H, L, or O status.

For information on work demands and conditions required for this position, please consult the reference document, ADA Requirements. This position is classified under Category I - Office Positions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. =============================================== Disclaimer: This job description is proprietary to IEEE. It outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.