PMO Director, a Chinese Retail Company

Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Leadership & Planning:Partner with the North America leadership team to develop, refine, and communicate the multi-year strategic plan for the region.Lead market analysis, competitive intelligence, and internal capability assessments to identify key growth opportunities and potential risks.Facilitate strategic workshops and planning sessions to align senior stakeholders on priorities, resource allocation, and strategic trade-offs.Translate high-level strategic goals into actionable initiatives with clear KPIs and success metrics.2. PMO Governance & Execution:Establish, lead, and mature the North America PMO, setting standards for project governance, methodology, and reporting.Direct a portfolio of high-priority projects, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the North America business.Implement and manage a robust project intake, prioritization, and resource allocation process.Provide executive-level reporting on portfolio health, project status, risks, and benefits realization.3. Cross-Functional Project Leadership:Lead and oversee large-scale, cross-functional initiatives such as:New market entry and retail footprint expansion.Digital & e-commerce platform enhancements.Supply chain and logistics optimization projects.Mergers, Acquisitions, and Integration (M&A) activities.Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) programs.Act as a strategic advisor to project sponsors and initiative owners, challenging assumptions and ensuring strategic integrity.4. Performance & Benefits Realization:Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and ROI of strategic initiatives.Establish a framework for post-implementation reviews to capture lessons learned and ensure continuous improvement.Ensure that completed projects transition smoothly to business-as-usual operations with clear ownership for sustained benefits.5. Team Leadership & Development:Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Strategy Managers and Project Management professionals.Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence within the PMO and across project teams.Qualifications & ExperienceEducation: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field required. MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred.Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in a combination of corporate strategy, management consulting, and project/portfolio management leadership roles.Industry Background: Proven experience in the Consumer, Beverage, or Retail industries is essential. Deep understanding of the North American market landscape.PMO Expertise: A track record of successfully standing up and leading a PMO or similar strategic execution function in a complex, matrixed organization.Strategic Mindset: Exceptional analytical, financial, and strategic problem-solving skills. Ability to think big picture while managing critical details.Leadership & Influence: Demonstrated ability to influence and align senior executives (VPs, SVPs) and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.Communication Skills: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, executive-ready presentations and reports.