Lead Product Development Program Manager - Racing

Auto req ID: 37979

Title: Lead Product Development Program Manager - Racing

Job Function: Engineering

Location: OXFORD

Additional Location:

Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Full or Part-Time: Full Time

At Harley-Davidson, we are building more than machines. It’s our passion and commitment to continue the evolution of this storied brand and heighten the desirability of the Harley-Davidson experience. To keep building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion we need the best and brightest talent. We stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Are you ready to join us?

Our International Markets are focused on creating an inclusive and expanding rider community that appeals to new and existing riders. We strive to deliver an H-D experience with an unequivocal customer focus.

From the UK to Singapore and many places in between, our employees are essential to our success. Our efforts are concentrated on the highest priority markets, primarily North America, Europe and parts of Asia Pacific. We have concentrated our resources in-market for maximum impact in line with our future strategy. Our regional offices and in-market teams have the freedom within a clearly defined framework to make decisions to drive their business. In-market teams are agile and equipped to understand consumer needs, provide focused attention to dealers, and respond more quickly to local market conditions.

At Harley-Davidson, we are building more than machines. It’s our passion and commitment to continue the evolution of this storied brand and heighten the desirability of the Harley-Davidson experience. To keep building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution, and emotion we need the best and brightest talent. We stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Are you ready to join us?

The Harley-Davidson Motor Company first established a Factory Racing Department in 1914. Over 110yrs later racing remains a core pillar of our brand. It is here that we research and develop the latest innovations and technologies to continue pushing our company forward. You dream it. We build it. If pushing the limits of what is possible through racing inspires you, we would love for you to join our team.

Job Summary

The Lead Technical Program Manager – Racing owns program operations and leads project teams in all phases and execution of Harley-Davidson Factory Racing (HDFR) initiatives. This role will be primarily responsible for an all-new HDFR racing series being jointly executed between H-D and the motorcycle world championship. You will work closely with racing team members to set up the program for successful launch, troubleshoot issues, and advance the program forward. You will become a subject matter expert in all things related to the motorcycle racing series including build, setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair processes. You will work cross-functionally with US-based H-D teams, and the world championship (MotoGPTM), to remove barriers and focus teams on what is most critical to deliver the program for a repeating annual series. Alternate EU based locations will be considered.

Job Responsibilities

• Owns program/project and series health for new H-D spec series within the world championship (MotoGPTM)
• First point of contact for all racing teams as the subject matter expert for all aspects of H-D motorcycles, the race series, and logistics.
• Manages program targets, requirements, and approvals
• Executes program to deliver requirements and metrics for success
• Builds strong connections with cross-functional peers
• EU-based location manager for all racing motorcycle maintenance and logistics between championship rounds
• Manages team of technical specialists (mechanics) responsible for racing vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Liaison with US-based team to develop and improve race bikes and operational processes.
  
  

Specific Deliverable Include

• Critical Path Plan: Establish, manage, and drive the program-level critical path via a deep understanding of crucial deliverables and cross-functional timing interdependencies (e.g. testing dates, team needs, build events, maintenance, etc.). Provide options to maintain program timing and health when faced with challenges.
• Risk & Issue Management: Leverage technical knowledge to actively identify program-level risks & issues and steps to mitigate. Ensure cross-functional alignment on risks & issues with program implications understood, clear ownership, effective prioritization and actions that efficiently drive resolution.
• Resource Management: Own the resource management process for the program. Monitor health and identify issues that affect the program through its duration. Directly manage local team responsible for handling, maintenance, and repair of racing motorcycles and spare parts/assemblies.
• Maintenance: Oversee and drive the vehicle maintenance schedule for the EU-based fleet of racing motorcycles. Ensure all bikes are ready to run prior to every competition event. Define, procure, inventory, and distribute spare part process.
• Program Operations: Run the day-to-day business of the racing series including cross-functional communications, execution of events, and critical path timing (Cross-functional inputs, interdependencies, etc.) to ensure effective operation. Facilitate effective collaboration internally and externally with MotoGPTM and racing teams.
• Budget: Mange financial budget for the series to defined business objectives in all areas, including but not limited to headcount, part cost, logistics, capital investments, and depreciation.
• Positive Program Culture: Consistently center the team on what is most important and why. Mitigate dysfunction and waste by continually refining program operations to ensure efficient, consistent, and effective execution (e.g., process, tools, communications). Clarify who is responsible for deliverables and timing and hold them accountable. Empower individuals and get decisions made at lowest level practical and ensure all stakeholders at all levels embrace their primary role.
• Building Engagement: Build critical cross-functional support and alliances to drive engagement and energy. Amid chaos lead by example, provide stable ground, drive progress and celebrate wins! Identify and fill gaps by connecting individuals with relevant experts for help. Provide clarity throughout the program.
  
  

Education Requirements

• Associate/bachelor’s degree is preferred; technical/engineering degree with program/business management experience -OR- business degree with technical/development experience. Equivalent experience will be considered in leu of educational requirements.
  
  

Experience Requirements

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 or more years of related experience.
• Strong understanding of motorcycle components and vehicle system level interactions throughout the phases of product development.
• Effective communications skills, particularly the ability to communicate technical expertise.
• Proven ability to successfully lead complex projects with proficiency in the use of program management methodologies and tools.
• Demonstrated application of program management principles that have led to the successful creation or change of product development processes.
• Experience inspiring others to continuously improve execution to improve quality and streamline work.
• Illustrated accomplishment in coaching, mentoring, and leading individuals/teams resulting in the attainment of business objectives.
• Ability to manage, track, and communicate technical information in a clear, concise, and understandable manner to a broad group of stakeholders.
• Preparedness to travel, both domestically and internationally as required, to support all official Factory Racing activities (tests, competition events, and servicing/repair activities).
• Eagerness to step outside of immediate job responsibilities whilst supporting a cohesive team.
• Motorcycle license.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Design engineering and product development/delivery.
• Program management experience and/or certification.
• Previous experience working with the MotoGPTM world championship, or other high-level professional racing series such as British Superbike, IndyCar, F1, WorldSBK, etc.
• Motorcycle racing team manager experience.
• Advanced motorcycle riding skills.
  
  

Direct Reports: Yes

Travel Required: 25-50%

Visa Sponsorship: Not eligible.

Harley-Davidson is an equal opportunity employer that continues to build a culture of inclusion, belonging and equity through our commitment to attracting and retaining diverse talent from all backgrounds. We believe in fairness and providing a level playing field for all. We foster a culture that thrives on diverse perspectives and contributions to ignite the creativity and innovation to fuel our business and enhance the employee and customer experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, employee discounts on motorcycles and related products, general merchandise, and more. We welcome everybody to join our family and be united no matter who you are or where you come from. Learn more about Harley-Davidson (here).

Direct Reports: Yes

Travel Required: 25 - 50%

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Relocation: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance