Lead CAPTG-wide hiring governance, forecasting, and cross-functional coordination for engineering and technology. Own headcount approvals, Early Career and internal mobility programs, and hiring frameworks. Drive forecasting, analytics, playbooks, and executive reporting while resolving escalations and improving hiring processes and governance.
The Senior Program Manager, Hiring Strategy & Governance owns the Cox Automotive Product Group (CAPTG) wide hiring governance, forecasting, and cross-functional coordination for Engineering and Technology organizations in CAPTG. This role translates workforce strategy into clear, scalable operating models and ensures hiring programs run with strong governance, data integrity, and accountability. Leads and operates enterprise workforce and hiring programs from design through sustained execution. Serves as the primary business owner for CAPTG headcount approvals, Early Career programs, Internal Mobility, and business-driven hiring initiatives in partnership with Talent Acquisition, HR, Finance, and Engineering leadership.
The role combines hands-on operational involvement with program leadership. The Senior Program Manager is actively engaged in day-to-day aspects of the CAPG process, including supporting pre-approval flow, resolving escalations, partnering on in-cycle issue resolution, and soliciting SVP- and EVP-level approvals as needed. At the same time, this role is accountable for defining and maintaining the forecasting, governance model, decision frameworks, intake standards, and escalation paths-using day-to-day signal to identify systemic issues and drive durable improvements to how hiring operates at scale.
What You'll Do:
Hiring Governance & Program Leadership
Early Career & Internal Talent Programs
Forecasting, Analytics & Change Enablement
Who You Are:
Preferred
USD 98,300.00 - 147,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $98,300.00 - $147,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
EOE, including disability/vets
The role combines hands-on operational involvement with program leadership. The Senior Program Manager is actively engaged in day-to-day aspects of the CAPG process, including supporting pre-approval flow, resolving escalations, partnering on in-cycle issue resolution, and soliciting SVP- and EVP-level approvals as needed. At the same time, this role is accountable for defining and maintaining the forecasting, governance model, decision frameworks, intake standards, and escalation paths-using day-to-day signal to identify systemic issues and drive durable improvements to how hiring operates at scale.
What You'll Do:
Hiring Governance & Program Leadership
- Own and evolve hiring forecasting, governance frameworks, leadership approvals, intake standards, and approval guardrails.
- Define and document clear ownership boundaries between governance and operational execution.
- Facilitate cross-functional forums to review demand, trends, risks, and constraints.
- Surface systemic issues and recommend data-backed improvements.
Early Career & Internal Talent Programs
- Own governance and annual planning for Early Career and intern programs.
- Partner with Talent, Finance, HR, and Engineering leaders on approvals, capacity planning, and conversion strategy.
- Define decision criteria and resolution paths for non-standard scenarios.
- Align Internal Mobility initiatives with hiring governance and workforce constraints.
Forecasting, Analytics & Change Enablement
- Lead portfolio-level hiring and headcount forecasting in partnership with Finance and Engineering Operations.
- Produce executive-ready insights on hiring trends, risks, and outcomes.
- Design and maintain hiring playbooks, documentation, and change enablement materials.
Who You Are:
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline, and 4 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 2 years' experience; a Ph.D. and up to 1 year of experience; or 8 years 'experience in a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in program management, business operations, workforce planning, or HR-related roles.
- Proven success leading cross-functional programs with senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and influencing without authority.
Preferred
- Experience with enterprise-scale hiring or early career programs.
- Demonstrated ability to design governance models separate from tactical execution.
USD 98,300.00 - 147,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $98,300.00 - $147,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
EOE, including disability/vets
Cox Enterprises Austin, Texas, USA Office
Austin is one of the top tech hubs in the US, and we’re proud to offer rewarding careers to eclectic folks who call Texas home. When you’re not building a better future with us in Austin, you’ll have easy access to live music, amazing restaurants, and outdoor activities. And tacos.
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