Role Overview
The Strategic Program Analyst is a driven, autonomous delivery practitioner who independently manages moderately complex, cross-functional programs across vAuto's software module portfolio — from initiation through release, launch, and adoption. They own their programs end-to-end, bring a consultative mindset to every engagement, and are hungry to grow.
This role operates with a high degree of initiative and a relentless drive to deliver. This person doesn't wait to be directed — they identify what needs to happen, move on it, and close the loop. They bring a standard of excellence to every artifact, every meeting, and every stakeholder interaction — and they're always asking how to do it better. Coaching and mentorship are available, but this person doesn't wait for either.
They are expected to apply AI-powered practices to their work, contribute to PMO standards, and model the consultative behaviors that define this team. This role is aligned to vAuto's module portfolio and is a deliberate stepping stone toward senior program leadership.
Responsibilities
Prepare, Manage & Execute Programs
- A self-starter who identifies what needs to happen and drives it forward — without being directed, without being chased, and without cutting corners.
- Independently manages moderately complex, cross-functional programs spanning product, engineering, and marketing — owning the full lifecycle from initiation through delivery, close, and adoption.
- Translates program objectives into clear plans, schedules, and delivery milestones; identifies dependencies, critical path, and resource needs without being prompted.
- Produces and maintains high-quality program artifacts including charters, risk and issue logs, communication plans, and status reports calibrated to the stakeholder audience.
- Manages scope, change control, and escalates proactively when constraints threaten delivery outcomes.
- Coordinates shared resources across workstreams; flags capacity conflicts before they become delivery risks.
- Contributes to PMO playbooks, templates, and delivery frameworks; brings forward observations and improvement ideas grounded in their program experience.
- Leads retrospectives on programs they manage; surfaces learnings that inform continuous improvement.
Communicate & Engage Stakeholders
- Drives clarity across their programs by communicating status, risks, and decisions proactively — calibrating message and medium to the audience.
- Produces clear, concise program narratives for program leads and cross-functional partners — translating execution detail into insights that enable faster decisions.
- Establishes productive working relationships with product, engineering, and marketing partners; builds trust through consistent follow-through.
- Identifies and escalates risks and issues with a clear point of view on mitigation — does not wait to be asked.
- Facilitates effective working sessions and status meetings at the program level.
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Applies AI-Powered Delivery Practices
- Actively uses AI productivity tools to improve delivery velocity; applies AI assistance to meeting synthesis, status reporting, risk identification, and documentation quality.
- Contributes to team AI fluency by sharing what's working and flagging what isn't.
- Maintains full alignment with Cox Automotive AI policy; ensures all AI-assisted artifacts are reviewed, owned, and accountable to the PM.
Shows up as a Strategic Partner
- Approaches every program with genuine curiosity — asks 'why' before 'how,' challenges assumptions, and takes time to understand the real business problem before building a plan.
- Comes to conversations prepared. Brings a point of view, not just a status update — so partners can make decisions rather than gather information.
- Reads the room. Pays attention to organizational dynamics and competing priorities that affect program delivery, and factors those into how they communicate and escalate.
- Earns trust through judgment and follow-through — builds a reputation for flagging problems early and delivering on commitments without needing to be chased.
- Holds themselves to a standard of excellence — not because they're asked to, but because they genuinely care about the quality of their work, the credibility of the PMO, and the success of the programs they own.
Supports Launch Readiness
- Ensures all impacted internal teams are informed, prepared, and equipped to adopt changes before launch.
- Supports basic change enablement activities on their programs — including impact assessments and drafting communications — with guidance available when needed.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in technical, business, or management-related field
- 4+ years of project or program management experience with demonstrated ability to independently own and deliver cross-functional programs
- Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple concurrent workstreams without losing detail or momentum
- Clear, confident communicator — written and verbal — with the ability to synthesize program status into concise, actionable narratives
- Demonstrated familiarity with AI productivity tools and genuine curiosity for applying emerging technology
- Proficiency with Smartsheet, Microsoft 365, and Teams
- Fluency in Agile, hybrid, and traditional delivery methodologies
Preferred
- Experience in automotive, technology, or digital marketplace industry
- Understanding of software product development lifecycle
- PMP, PgMP, Six Sigma, HCD, or Agile certifications
Note: This job description provides a general summary of essential responsibilities and is not meant as an exhaustive list. Assignments may differ based on business conditions, departmental need, or program portfolio scope.
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.
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $89,400.00 - $134,000.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
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.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
Application Deadline: 08/10/2026
EOE, including disability/vets
