Senior/Group Manager- Strategic Security Programs (APAC & Japan)

**Introduction** We are seeking a seasoned leader to serve as Senior/Group Manager for Strategic Programs in IBM's Security team for APAC & Japan. This highly visible, individual contributor role based in Gurugram, India reports directly to Director Security (APAC & Japan). You will be a part of an 86-full time employees team spread across 16 countries in APAC & Japan. The role will drive strategic alignment, orchestrate cross‑functional programs, and ensure operating rhythm and execution excellence for the broader APAC-J Security team. As a trusted advisor and execution partner to senior leadership, the role will shape governance, organizational effectiveness, and stakeholder collaboration across functions within APAC & Japan. You will bring structure to ambiguity by turning broad goals into concrete initiatives, support executive decision-making with clear analysis and narrative, and ensure that strategic initiatives are appropriately resourced, tracked, and delivered with measurable impact. **Your role and responsibilities** Key responsibilities Strategy & Planning ● Lead mid to long term strategic planning for the function, translating vision into clear roadmaps, OKRs, and measurable outcomes. ● Act as a thought partner to the Director Security (APAC & Japan), providing structured analyses, decision support, and synthesised insights on key business topics. ● Run the business cadence: quarterly business reviews, leadership meetings, strategy offsites, and governance forums, including content, pre‑reads, and follow‑through. ● Lead or oversee preparation for board updates, executive forums, and cross‑functional working groups, ensuring clear narrative, metrics, and alignment. ● Coordinate annual budget and headcount planning in partnership with Finance and HR; monitor spend, capacity, and ROI on strategic initiatives. Program Management & Execution ● Own end‑to‑end strategic program management for high‑impact, cross‑functional initiatives, from problem definition to benefits realisation. ● Track progress on strategic priorities, identify risks and inter‑dependencies, and drive timely issue resolution and course correction. Operational and Organisational Efficiency ● Review, design, and improve organisational structures, processes, and operating models to enhance efficiency and collaboration. ● Drive "grey space" work: clarify ownership, close gaps between teams, and create structure where none exists across ambiguous problem areas. ● Build strong stakeholder relationships across functions and geographies, acting as a central liaison for the leadership team. **Required technical and professional expertise** * 10-15 years of total experience in strategy, program management, consulting, or business operations, with significant exposure to senior leadership. * Demonstrated track record of leading complex, cross‑functional programs with material business impact. * Prior experience in Strategic Programs, PMO, or Strategy & Operations role is strongly preferred. * Graduate/Post-graduate qualification in business, program management, or a related field is preferred. Prior experience in Security is not mandatory. **Preferred technical and professional experience** Key skills and competencies • Strong strategic thinking and structured problem‑solving; ability to break down ambiguous problems and design practical solutions. • Expert program and project management skills, including planning, governance, risk management, and stakeholder management. • Demonstrable experience with multi‑stakeholder programs across multiple time zones, with measurable outcomes. • Exceptional communication and executive storytelling skills, with experience preparing materials for senior management level forums. • High degree of ownership, bias for action, and comfort operating in fast‑paced, unstructured environments. • Ability to influence without direct authority and build trusted relationships across senior stakeholders. • Strong business acumen and comfort with financials, KPIs, and performance dashboards. IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.