We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the NI Americas New Grad Program. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with proven experience in program design and execution, capable of working collaboratively within a team while also driving initiatives independently. This role will shape the future of early career talent by overseeing recruitment, onboarding, training, and business integration, ensuring that program graduates are well-prepared to contribute to organizational success.
The new talent will be placed in Sales, Sales Engineering, Pre-Sales, Customer Project Management, Delivery, and Sales Operations organizations. Therefore, an ideal candidate would have a strong business acumen and an understanding of the mechanics of the sales processes, technical enablement, and customer delivery.
Your responsibilities
- Design and maintain a 12-month New Grad program roadmap aligned with business priorities, including onboarding plans, learning paths, workshops, and mentoring to ensure program participants’ successful integration into their assigned teams and organization.
- Launch and continuously improve the NI Americas New Grad Program, overseeing program structure and timelines, delivering a consistent and high-impact experience.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition team to recruit top candidates, including sourcing, interviewing, and selection.
- Oversee onboarding and integration of new grads, ensuring readiness to contribute to business within the respective placement teams.
- Mentor and coach program participants, providing regular feedback and performance guidance.
- Facilitate mentor/mentee relationships and foster a psychologically safe environment that encourages learning, risk-taking, and growth.
- Collaborate with cross-functional leaders (Sales, Engineering, Delivery & Operations, etc.) to align program outcomes with organizational goals, build meaningful assignments, and support career pathways. Act as a trusted advisor to leaders, ensuring talent placements support business growth.
- Define success metrics and regularly assess program effectiveness, providing data-driven insights to leadership and scaling best practices across regions.
Other Duties as Required
Note: No relocation or sponsorship offered for this role
Your skills and experience
- Demonstrated experience in Program Management, leading complex, concurrent cross-functional programs
- Strong understanding of the sales process and customer engagement lifecycle.
- Ability to connect program participants development to broader business strategy and long-term organizational goals.
- Excellent executive communication and influence skills
- Demonstrated experience in training, learning and development, adult learning, or similar role.
- A genuine passion for empowering, mentoring, and developing people across all levels of the organization.
- Hands-on experience in coaching and mentoring both managers and early career talent.
It would be nice if you also had:
- Knowledge of Nokia Network Infrastructure business, product portfolio, and go-to-market structure.
- Experience managing early-career programs in a technical or sales-driven organization.
Required Competencies:
- Influencing & Relationship Building
