Neat is looking for a Director, Strategic Programs to own new product introduction (NPI) and strategic cross-functional projects across its portfolio. Reporting to the VP Strategy & Operations, the role will build and run the gate process that takes products from concept to launch and act as the single point of ownership for programme tracking, decision-making and executive reporting.
Strategic programme management involves turning ambiguous, high-stakes initiatives into structured execution by aligning stakeholders across the business, managing risk and holding every workstream accountable to a date. This is a hands-on role focused on both relationships and process, working closely with stakeholders and partners, following up with owners, helping clear blockers and keeping programmes moving towards committed dates.
Responsibilities include owning the end-to-end new product introduction process from concept through post-launch review; building and maintaining the gate calendar; scheduling reviews and maintaining the official record for every programme; partnering with Product, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales and Marketing; leading strategic cross-functional initiatives such as market entry and operating-model change; chairing launch-readiness and post-launch review gates; owning readiness checklists and gate criteria; managing intake and governance for projects such as commercial model changes, systems migrations, partnerships and market entry; maintaining a single portfolio view across products and projects; reporting portfolio health to the executive team and board; ensuring programmes and partners deliver on time; proactively surfacing and resolving risks; working directly with teams and partners; and representing Strategic Programs in leadership discussions by translating execution detail into clear business impact.
Applicants should have 10+ years of experience in hardware new product introduction, programme management or launch operations, with proven experience running a phase-gate or stage-gate process. Experience delivering cross-functional projects outside product launches, managing external certification requirements, and understanding commercial fundamentals including margin, pricing, discounting, distribution and channel management is required. The role also requires excellent written communication skills, experience producing concise executive summaries, experience building or scaling a programme management function at a company of roughly a few hundred to 1,000 employees, and strong stakeholder-management skills. The successful candidate should be comfortable working hands-on without direct reports initially, following up personally and driving outcomes. Experience in video collaboration, audio-visual or a related hardware category is desirable. Neat is an ambitious, accountable, collaborative, responsible and growing company based in Oslo, with employees working around the world.