NielsenIQ: Director, Program Management — Chennai, TN, India

About NielsenIQ

NielsenIQ, also known as NIQ, works in consumer intelligence and retail measurement. Its employer material describes using market information, consumer insights and analytics to help businesses understand buying behaviour. Its data operations address the accuracy and completeness of information behind client reports, while analytical services interpret that information. The business connects details about products and retail activity with broader views of markets, giving organisations evidence for understanding demand and making commercial decisions.

The position and its setting

NielsenIQ lists Director, Program Management in Chennai, TN, India, under reference R26_0017515|IN. The details below separate the work described by the employer from essential conditions, preferred experience and practical preparation advice.

• Employment type: Full-time
• Employer listing date: 22 October 2026
• Brands: NielsenIQ
• Job Family: Agile/Scrum Master Project/Program Management

Responsibilities and work described

• NIQ technology initiatives, like our clients, span the globe and require leaders who can connect the dots between business strategy, technology execution, and organizational transformation
• We are building a Program Management organization comprised of highly motivated, analytical, and leaders who drive outcomes across Product, Technology, Operations, and Enterprise-wide Business Functions
• As a Program Director at NIQ, you will lead strategic programs and portfolios that drive business transformation, operational excellence, technology modernization, and enterprise-wide capabilities across the organization
• Oversee a team of program managers responsible for delivering large, complex initiatives spanning multiple business functions, geographies, stakeholders, and technology domains
• Success in this role requires the ability to align business and technology priorities, lead cross-functional teams, manage strategic investments, and deliver measurable business outcomes
• This role combines portfolio leadership, organizational transformation, financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement, and people leadership
• Partner closely with senior business and technology leaders to define priorities, remove barriers, and ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives that support NIQ's long-term objectives
• At NIQ, we empower our Program Management leaders to drive results and organizational change
• If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy partnering across every business function, you would be a great fit for our team
• Program & Portfolio Leadership
• Coordination: between stakeholders and technology teams to develop and manage plans throughout the program lifecycle
• Leadership: and mentor program managers and program leads, providing guidance, coaching, and support
• Management: and develop a team of 4-8 Program managers or Senior Program managers, including performance management and career development
• Development: and implement program management processes, governance frameworks, best practices, and delivery standards across the organization
• Quality / delivery: successful delivery and tracking of portfolio and program objectives while maintaining overall program performance and value realization
• Management: program documentation, scope changes, stakeholder communications, and governance requirements

Essential requirements and candidate background

• 15+ years of experience in program management, portfolio management, transformation leadership, or a related role leading large-scale technology and business initiatives
• 8+ years of leadership experience managing complex programs, portfolios, and cross-functional teams
• Experience leading large-scale business transformation, operational improvement, enterprise application, or technology modernization initiatives within global organizations
• Understanding: enterprise business processes and operating models across functions such as Finance, Human Resources, Commercial Operations, Corporate Services, or Shared Services
• Partner with executive business and technology leaders to define strategy, prioritize investments, and deliver measurable business outcomes
• Experience overseeing complex initiatives involving process transformation, systems modernization, integrations, automation, data initiatives, or organizational change
• Portfolio management, governance, strategic planning, and execution capabilities
• Prioritize, manage, and deliver multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills
• Executive presence with the ability to influence, negotiate, and gain alignment across organizational levels, functions, and geographies
• Expertise in developing executive presentations and business communications using PowerPoint, Excel, and analytics tools
• Ability to lead globally distributed teams and work effectively across diverse cultures and regions
• Financial management experience, including business cases, budget planning, forecasting, investment management, and value realization
• Experience managing third-party vendors, consulting partners, and external service providers
• Practical experience with Agile delivery methodologies and organizational transformation initiatives
• Leadership skills with a bias toward action, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Positive attitude, team player, self-starter, and demonstrated ability to achieve results in ambiguous environments

Education and qualification routes

• Degree / qualification: Master's degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field

Preferred experience and additional strengths

• Experience leading portfolios that support enterprise-wide business capabilities and critical operational processes
• Experience managing large-scale transformation initiatives spanning multiple business functions and stakeholder groups
• Familiarity: modern cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and enterprise technology environments
• Experience working with globally distributed delivery teams and external consulting organizations
• PMP, PgMP, Agile, SAFe, or related professional certifications
• Education

Location, schedule and contract conditions

• Work arrangement: On-site
• Advertised location: Chennai, TN, India

Benefits mentioned by the employer

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)
• NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows
• These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria
• All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion
• Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans
• NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative
• For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

Pay and application dates

A verified salary figure is not established in this article. An online estimate for another Director, Program Management vacancy is not an offer for reference R26_0017515|IN; use the employer’s own pay disclosure and recruitment communication.

A closing date is not confirmed in this article. Check the current employer page before submitting: an undated posting can change or be withdrawn.

How to apply to NielsenIQ

Applications follow the official employer page linked below.

Open the official NielsenIQ posting below and match the title and reference R26_0017515|IN.

Compare your qualifications and experience with the essential conditions for the Chennai, TN, India position, then read the preferred criteria separately.

Prepare an accurate CV and the supporting items requested in that employer’s application. Provide only information and documents you are authorised to share.

Use the employer’s application option, complete the required fields and review the submission. Retain the acknowledgement when one is provided. Job Alerts World does not receive the application.

Practical preparation: Excel

Excel examples should identify the task, the data and the checks used to avoid an incorrect result. Explain whether you built a reporting workbook, reconciled records, automated a process or maintained an existing model.

Relevant skills

• Excel
• PowerPoint
• risk management
• compliance
• investment
• stakeholder management
• communication
• human resources
• commercial negotiations