Position Summary:

Responsible for overseeing the end-to-end execution of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) to facilitate successful delivery of releases that provide new capabilities to SAP S4-Hana and other applications as assigned. Success in this role requires excellence in communication and close coordination with business subject matter experts, business liaisons/partners, PMO, process owners, delivery teams, and run/sustainability teams. The role also requires superior planning ability to accommodate multiple priorities in a complex portfolio of active programs and projects that compete for limited infrastructure and staff availability. The distinguished candidate will demonstrate a strong sense of accountability, ambition for performance excellence in delivering uncompromised quality while fostering an Agile delivery process that brings more value, more often.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee end-to-end SDLC activities from intake of demand to post-deployment transition-to-run activities.
• Develop and maintain annual release calendars and milestone-based schedules (e.g., t-1 plan) per planned release.
• Monitor pace of intake (i.e., demand) against available capacity and recommend resource adjustments.
• Align commitments to planned releases on an achievable schedule.
• Facilitate routine release status meetings.
• Prepare and deliver release status updates, release notes, and other relevant communications.
• Manage and resolve or mitigate release issues and risks and serve as a first-level point of escalation.
• Collaborate to create aligned environment strategies for in-scope platforms.
• Work with delivery/functional leads to create achievable delivery plans with clear milestones.
• Track committed delivery plans against milestones, holding committed actors accountable.
• Hold vendors accountable for meeting performance and quality expectations.
• Negotiate with partner applications (ecosystem teams) to align plans and resolve issues.
• Work with Accelerate Major Release and other program teams to analyze impact of requested work and develop aligned plans that mitigate and resolve risk.
• Oversee execution of the Change Control process in ServiceNow to ensure compliance to the process.
• Work with run/sustainability teams to facilitate knowledge transfer of new capabilities and ensure smooth transition into the support model.
• Lead intelligent and aggressive responses to quickly resolve hypercare issues and determine root cause with preventative actions.
• Foster an atmosphere of continuous improvement and contribute to successfully maturing processes and tools through documentation, trainings, and incremental changes.
• Establish and improve metrics that transparently convey achievement against identified key performance indicators.
• Partners with the IS Governance team to ensure compliance with regulations, policies, standards, procedures, and associated documentation.
• Special projects/assignments as required.

Education & Special Trainings:

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited university in the areas of Computer science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business, or equivalent field of study required.
• Masters degree in MIS, MBA or related disciplines preferred.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum 13 years of professional experience required, with at least 10 deploying or delivering software releases of enterprise platforms and 8 specifically on SAP. 
• Prior experience and demonstrated understanding of enterprise platforms or other complex business solutions with direct experience in global system rollouts required.
• Ability to maintain strong relationships within Stryker Divisions and Geographies 
• Ability to consider upstream and downstream process impacts and implications.
• Exhibits acute business acumen and understanding of organizational issues and challenges.  
• Versatility and willingness to work with constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Experienced in enterprise solution methodologies, preferably in both traditional waterfall and agile approaches preferred.
• International experience and/or exposure working in other business functions preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean, ITIL, PPM, PMO, etc. standards and processes preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Senior Management.
• Must be able to generate, explain, and present detailed schedules, objectives, reports, and other documentation accurately.
• Demonstrated ability to work cohesively across a cross functional and matrixed organization.
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to drive initiatives and projects independently from start to finish.
• ​​Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills to a diverse set of audiences​.