Position Title: Program Lead

Duration: Contract or Permanent

Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

*Applicants must have immediate, ongoing, and valid authorization to work full‑time in Sweden, be fully fluent English*

Description of the assignment:

Our Client is seeking a highly organized and strategic Program Lead (PL) to join the Technology & Innovation team. The PL will be instrumental in increasing the efficiency and impact of the department organization by managing various programs, driving operational excellence, and fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams.

The PL acts as the operational backbone for the team, managing the project lifecycle for all the product initiatives. This strategic role ensures that the projects are well-planned, resourced, and delivered on time while maintaining a high standard of quality. You'll be a key partner to the department leadership, translating high-level goals and requirements into clear, actionable deliverables that teams can confidently execute.

Key Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for project status, risks, and decisions.
• Coordinate with various Product Line departments ('Customer' in China), Quality (VQM/DQM, China), and the Global Design PMO (China & Sweden).
• Align stakeholders around goals, deliverables, and success metrics.
• Identify bottlenecks early, propose solutions, and keep projects unblocked.

Delivery Management

• Handle incoming requests and keep delivery dates on track.
• Build and maintain clear project plans, timelines, and milestones for project initiatives.
• Secure the technical input we need and that everyone is on the same page.

Expand the reach

• Drive special projects and innovations by connecting with external organizations, including Marketing, Merchandise, and Intelligent Drive, HMI, etc.

Process Optimization

• Partner with stakeholders at the working level to refine processes and increase collaboration efficiency.

Tracking & Control

• Stay on top of budget shifts, scope changes, and shifting vehicle timelines.
• Track progress and ensure work is delivered with quality and on schedule.
• Document and share program updates and roadmaps

Qualifications and skills:

• 5+ years of experience in Program Management, Project Management, Design Operations, or a similar role, ideally within digital product development organizations.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex, cross-functional projects and programs from concept to launch.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to keep multiple projects in motion.
• Expertise with project management and collaboration tools (Jira, Excel).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable navigating ambiguity and rapid change.

Good to have:

• Experience in automotive, software, consumer tech, or innovation environments.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies and product development lifecycles.
• Experience with headcount and capacity planning for project teams.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g. Design, Business, Communications, Computer Science).
• Mandarin Language skills

Personal Attributes:

• Strong drive, communicative with good leadership skills, independent and confident as well as a good team player.
• Methodical and analytical with good planning skills.
• Flexible and able to work under constrained time schedules and frequently revised circumstances.

Other:

• The assignment will take place in the Clients' studio in Gothenburg, and they have an 'office first' environment with some flexibility to WFH.
• Travel to China may be needed (approx. 2-3 trips per year).
• Everyone in the team has a high level of responsibility and mandate and is expected to be able to work autonomously.
• Fluent in English, spoken and written

Why work through Contechs?

Contechs is a leading Automotive, Design, Engineering, Technology and Innovation Recruitment Consultancy. Founded in 1997, with an inhouse Contractor Care Team to support all external employees, acts as an employment agency for permanent and contract recruitment.

How to Apply

If you're interested in applying for this position, submit your application and one of our recruiters will be in touch.

If you know anyone that is suitable for the role, please visit the below page where we offer up to £600 referral fee: https://www.contechs.com/refer