Project Management Leader

Our Mission:

Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of electric vehicles (BEV) for millions of people around the world.

Why Drivemode:

Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the EV market.

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced PMO Lead to strategically head our project management function and mentor a talented team of Technical Program Managers (TPMs). In this critical leadership role, you will serve as the primary liaison between Drivemode and various Honda teams, overseeing the delivery of next-generation mobile app and platform development. You will play a crucial role in expanding Honda's presence in the EV and mobility markets while transforming the company's product development culture towards a more agile approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and Mentoring: Manage and develop a talented team of Technical Program Managers and Project Managers located in Japan and the US, supporting their career growth and ensuring program success.
• Strategic Partnership: Lead relationships with Honda project leaders as Drivemode's representative, driving alignment on overall program strategy, planning, and delivery.
• Driving Continuous Improvement: Actively identify and resolve bottlenecks to enhance the efficiency of engineering and program teams, continuously improving operational processes and communication channels.
• Program Delivery Execution: Lead the entire lifecycle of multiple projects, from requirements definition, ensuring technical alignment with backend and regional teams, to creating detailed project plans and high-quality documentation.
• Effective Communication: Track and report program status, roadmap progress, and critical issues. Provide clear and effective reports to both Drivemode and Honda leaders in both Japanese and English.
• Risk and Resource Management: Lead a proactive approach to risk management, identifying, communicating, and implementing mitigation strategies. Manage resource planning and program budgets in collaboration with the finance department and Honda PMO members.

Qualifications/Skills

• Experience: Over 12 years of practical experience in a related industry, including over 8 years of experience as a project manager or program manager in large-scale software development projects.
• Industry Knowledge: Proven track record of building and leading a team of TPMs or project managers in a multicultural and globally distributed environment.
• Bilingual Ability: Fluent communication skills in both Japanese (native level) and English (business level or higher).
• High technical aptitude. Ability to understand specifications and requirements related to in-car embedded software, cloud systems, mobile apps, and API implementation.
• Deep expertise in both Agile and Waterfall development methodologies and a proven track record of their appropriate application.
• Advanced skills in project management tools including JIRA, Confluence, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven track record of successfully completing complex projects, including physical or operational elements, within deadlines and budget.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management certifications such as PMP®.
• Technical background as a software engineer, system architect, or verification engineer.
• Work experience in both tech startups and large corporations.
• Practical experience in the automotive industry or with software products for connected/IoT devices.

EEOC Statement:

Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents/20 countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world. Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique.