Principal Program Lead

The Principal Program Lead is a senior individual contributor responsible for leading the organization’s most complex, high-visibility strategic programs. Working across business, technology, operations, and external partners, this role drives alignment, governance, execution, risk management, and delivery of initiatives that are critical to organizational success. Principal Program Leads are deployed against the company’s highest-priority strategic initiatives and may move between programs over time based on business needs and portfolio priorities. These leaders operate with significant autonomy and are accountable for driving successful outcomes across highly matrixed environments. The initial assignment for this position will focus on technical delivery and operational readiness associated with major media facility construction and relocation initiatives. Partnering closely with Global Real Estate, Engineering, Production Operations, Technology, Security, and external vendors, the Principal Program Lead will coordinate the successful delivery of all technology-related workstreams required to activate and transition new media facilities. This role does not own facility design, construction, or real estate delivery. Instead, it serves as the strategic program leader responsible for integrating and coordinating the technology, operational readiness, and business transition activities necessary to support successful facility launches. Level and Scope The Principal Program Lead represents one of the highest levels of individual contributor program leadership within the organization. The role is equivalent in scope, complexity, organizational impact, strategic influence, and executive engagement to Director and Senior Director-level positions while remaining an individual contributor role. Success in this position requires the ability to lead through influence, align diverse stakeholder groups, navigate organizational complexity, and deliver results without direct authority over resources or teams. Key Responsibilities Strategic Program Leadership Lead large-scale, cross-functional strategic programs from initiation through delivery. Establish program governance structures, operating models, and executive reporting frameworks. Develop and manage integrated program plans, milestones, dependencies, and critical path activities. Drive alignment across business, technology, operations, and external stakeholders. Translate strategic objectives into executable delivery plans and measurable outcomes. Program Execution & Delivery Coordinate complex workstreams spanning multiple functions, teams, and vendors. Manage program risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, and mitigation strategies. Drive decision-making processes and issue resolution across stakeholder groups. Monitor program health and proactively address delivery challenges. Ensure successful execution against program objectives, timelines, and business outcomes. Executive Stakeholder Management Build trusted relationships with executive leaders and key stakeholders. Prepare and deliver executive communications, status reporting, and decision support materials. Facilitate governance reviews, steering committees, and cross-functional leadership forums. Influence outcomes across teams where no direct reporting relationships exist. Organizational Readiness & Change Leadership Drive readiness planning and organizational alignment for major initiatives. Coordinate transition activities required to move programs from planning into operational execution. Ensure business, operational, and technical stakeholders are prepared for implementation and adoption. Support successful realization of intended business outcomes and value.