Senior Customer Project / Program Manager

Job Description

The Sr. Project Manager provides project management leadership for moderately complex, cross‑functional initiatives within a diverse customer and stakeholder base. This role partners closely with both customers and internal teams to define project needs, develop structured project plans, and drive successful execution from initiation through close‑out. The Sr Project Manager ensures consistent application of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. Candidates will come into the office 1 day / week and should be located within 25 miles of the posted location (Atlanta, GA; Burlington, VT; Draper, UT; and Overland Park, KS). Key Responsibilities : Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborates with customer stakeholders to understand key business challenges, operational needs, and process issues.

Identifies where and how organizational capabilities and solutions can address customer requirements and deliver value.

Project Planning & Scope Definition

Works with internal functional teams to define detailed project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success measures based on client expectations.

Creates and maintains comprehensive project plans covering schedule, tasks, resources, risks, and dependencies.

Project Execution & Management

Supports end‑to‑end project execution, including :

Requirements gathering and documentation

Project charter creation

Scope definition and validation

Detailed project planning and timeline management

Change control processes

Risk and issue identification, tracking, and mitigation

Project close‑out activities and lessons learned

Status reporting and communication across stakeholders

Financial & Resource Management

Facilitates resource planning and allocation across project teams.

Supports cost estimation, budget development, forecasting, and ongoing cost control.

Process Governance & Quality Assurance

Ensures consistent application of project management methodology, standards, tools, and documentation throughout the project lifecycle.

Monitors project health and compliance with internal governance requirements.

Continuous Improvement

Evaluates project outcomes and operational processes, identifying opportunities for improvements in efficiency, communication, and delivery effectiveness.

Recommends enhancements to project management practices, tools, and workflows.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 4 years experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 2 years experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years experience in a related field

Experience with Excel, PowerPoint and Copilot.

Experience managing moderately complex projects across cross‑functional teams.

Strong understanding of project management principles, methodologies, and tools.

Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to lead requirements gathering, documentation, and scope definition.

Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience working with customer-facing projects or operational process enhancements.

PMP, CAPM, Scrum Master, or similar certification.

Experience in budget development, cost control, and resource planning.

Drug Testing

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and / or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

About Us

Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation / wellness days, and / or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants / employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship.Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. No OPT, CPT, STEM / OPT or visa sponsorship now or in future.