Director, Program Management and Transformation

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director, Program Management and Transformation

Who is Mastercard?
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential.
Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

Overview
Mastercard is seeking a Director, Technical Program Management (TPM) within the Employee Access Management (EAM) organization in Security Engineering. This leader will drive strategic programs that enhance customer experience, strengthen security capabilities, and accelerate business outcomes through disciplined execution, innovation, and structured problem-solving.
The Director will own a portfolio of complex, enterprise-wide initiatives from strategy development through execution, launch, and operational transition. This role requires a hands-on leader who can operate effectively in ambiguous environments, simplify complex technical and organizational challenges, and influence outcomes across global, cross-functional teams.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical program management expertise with strong business acumen, executive communication skills, organizational leadership, and a track record of delivering large-scale transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Program Leadership
* Lead the execution of multiple strategic initiatives from ideation through planning, delivery, launch, and transition to business-as-usual operations.
* Partner with program leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to translate business objectives into executable roadmaps and measurable outcomes.
* Deliver multi-year strategic and delivery roadmaps supporting organizational and enterprise priorities.
* Define program strategy where business outcomes are known but execution approaches remain ambiguous.
* Build and maintain integrated plans that account for dependencies, risks, constraints, and resource requirements.
* Drive execution rigor through governance frameworks, operating mechanisms, scorecards, metrics, and reporting.
* Continuously assess business and technical tradeoffs to optimize organizational effectiveness and delivery outcomes.
* Lead escalations and resolution efforts for complex delivery, organizational, and technical challenges.
Organizational Leadership
* Lead and develop a global team of Technical Program Managers
* Mentor TPMs and engineering leaders while elevating program management best practices across the enterprise.
* Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, and succession planning activities.
* Serve as the executive point of contact for program status, risks, decisions, and strategic communications.
* Create executive-facing dashboards, status reporting, and concise business updates.
* Build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups and lead resolution of complex or contentious issues.
* Influence partner organizations' roadmaps and priority decisions.
Technical and Operational Excellence
* Apply expertise in Agile, Scrum, and CI/CD methodologies to improve delivery velocity and quality.
* Drive simplification of complex processes, and integrations to increase operational efficiency.
* Define success metrics, monitor key performance indicators, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
* Ensure programs successfully progress through the product development lifecycle, from concept and proof-of-concept through commercialization, go-to-market readiness, and operational transition.
* Leverage data-driven decision-making to identify opportunities, optimize investments, and improve execution performance.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Required Experience
* Proven experience leading large-scale technical programs with end-to-end ownership from strategy through execution.
* Demonstrated success operating independently in highly complex, ambiguous environments.
* Experience leading cross-functional initiatives spanning multiple business units, geographies, and technology organizations.
* Strong track record of managing escalations, resolving complex issues, and delivering measurable business outcomes.
* Experience building and leading high-performing technical program management teams.
* Ability to influence decision-making without direct authority and drive alignment among senior stakeholders.
Technical Expertise
* Deep understanding of Agile delivery models, Scrum practices, and CI/CD methodologies.
* Strong knowledge of software development lifecycles, platform engineering, and enterprise technology delivery.
* Understanding of system integration patterns, technical architectures, platform strategies, and organizational capabilities.
* Ability to evaluate technical risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs while guiding delivery decisions.
* Experience driving simplification and modernization of complex technical environments.
Leadership Competencies
* Exceptional strategic thinking and execution discipline.
* Strong ownership mindset with a bias toward action and results.
* Ability to create clarity and drive progress in ambiguous situations.
* Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
* Excellent coaching, mentoring, and organizational leadership capabilities.
* Demonstrated ability to build consensus and influence across organizational boundaries.
Communication Skills
* Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to distill complex technical and business challenges into clear, concise executive-level messaging.
* Experience presenting to senior leadership and executive audiences.
* Skilled at facilitating discussions that lead to timely decisions and aligned outcomes.
Education
* Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact reasonable_accommodation@mastercard.com and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

Pay Ranges

O'Fallon, Missouri: $152,000 - $258,000 USD