Cross Program Data Lead

Description

The Role

The Cross Program Data Lead is a hands-on analytics expert who turns GMNA Design program and studio data into clear, actionable insights. This role owns core Design Operations data and reporting systems , partners with IT on enhancements, and builds reports, scorecards, dashboards, and visualizations that inform decisions across Program & Studio Management and Cross Vehicle Program Management (CVPM) within the Design organization.

This position mines data across various Design program sources such as on-time program deliverables and execution, Design Workload Model (WLM), Design Change Requests (DCR/eMERGE), and other program health indicators to create metrics and tools that help the Senior Manager, Program & Studio Management and the Cross Vehicle Program Manager (CVPM) run the Design enterprise more effectively. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, data-savvy, drives change, and thrives in a dynamic environment.

What You'll Do

1. Data Ownership & Systems Stewardship

• Own and curate core Design Operations data sets across workload, program execution, program readiness, DCRs, and related program management systems (e.g., WLM, GRDS, eMERGE, PM tools, finance views) with a future expectation of integrating with events and facilities data.
• Act as business owner for key reporting and analytics solutions , partnering with IT, Data, and tool owners to define requirements, prioritize enhancements, test changes, and ensure data quality and availability.
• Maintain a "single source of truth" for Design program and workload data, including documentation, data dictionaries, and governance standards.

• Design, build, and maintain standard reports, scorecards, and dashboards that support Program & Studio Management, CVPM, Design leadership forums, and studio teams (e.g., on-time performance, late change, rework, workload balance, DCR metrics).
• Develop high-impact data visualizations (Power BI or similar) that make complex data easy to understand and use in discussions, reviews, and decision forums.
• Create executive-ready views (slides, one-pagers, visuals) that synthesize key messages for senior stakeholders.

• Mine program data across studios and vehicle lines to identify patterns, risks, and opportunities related to workload, on-time execution, late changes, and design churn.
• Generate insights and narratives , not just numbers-translating data into clear stories and recommendations to guide decisions by the Senior Manager, Program & Studio Management and the CVPM.
• Support ad-hoc analysis requests (e.g., "what-if" scenarios, deep dives on specific programs, portfolio cuts) while working to standardize and automate recurring needs where possible.

• Define, refine, and maintain key metrics that measure the performance of the Program & Studio Management team and studio operations, including but not limited to:
  
  
  • On-time deliverables and gate readiness
  • Late change / DCR volume, timing, and rework
  • Workload balance and capacity vs. demand (by studio/brand/team)
  • Execution quality indicators for program and studio management
• Partner with leaders to set targets, track progress, and highlight trends ; ensure metrics are consistently defined and used across forums.

• Serve as a dedicated data partner to the Senior Manager, Program & Studio Management and the Cross Vehicle Program Manager , ensuring they have timely, reliable information for planning, escalations, and performance reviews.
• Provide the data foundation for cross-program views (e.g., portfolio health, studio comparisons, advanced/concept work vs. production, resource trade-offs).
• Support preparation for key forums (e.g., GDLT, NADR, DPR, X-EDoD, GSO, MRR, internal Design Ops reviews, etc) by assembling and packaging the right data for the right audience.

• Partner closely with cross-functional Design teams, Finance, and Global Design partners to align data sources, reconcile discrepancies, and ensure common definitions of metrics and performance.
• Collaborate with Finance to connect operational metrics to financial views (e.g., FTEH/FTEG, budget vs. workload) and support planning discussions.
• Align with Design GVDP/Process & Governance and CVPM on how data supports GVDP deliverables, DCR process improvements, and forum standards.
• May require occasional support outside standard business hours during key reviews, portfolio discussions, or critical decision points .

• Identify opportunities to reduce manual reporting and rework by automating data pipelines, standard reports, and self-service dashboards.
• Contribute to process and tool roadmaps for Design data and reporting (e.g., GRDS, WLM, eMERGE, Power BI), providing input based on user needs and analytic gaps.
• Help drive adoption of new metrics, dashboards, and reporting standards through clear documentation, demos, and one-on-one support.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Data Analytics, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Typically 3+ years of experience in data analysis, business intelligence, or program analytics; experience in product development or portfolio planning.
• Typically 3+ years of experience in operations reporting with insight development.
• Strong proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Maxis, Excel, SQL, PowerApps/Power Automate, or similar), and comfort working across multiple systems.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, concise insights and visual stories for non-technical audiences.
• Experience defining and tracking operational KPIs , building dashboards, scorecards, and supporting leadership decision-making.
• Proven track record of being detail-oriented , organized, and capable of managing multiple concurrent requests and deadlines.

• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-changing environment , with a bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled analytics or automation to streamline reporting and analysis.

• Experience working with Design Program Management, GVDP, DCR/eMERGE, WLM/GRDS, Purchasing , Resource Balancing tools , or similar automotive development processes and systems.
• Prior exposure to Design Operations, Program & Studio Management, Portfolio Planning, Product Programs, and/or Cross Vehicle Program related work .
• Experience partnering with Finance on workload and budget, FTE, or budget analyses.

• Data & Analytical Rigor - Able to structure problems, validate data, and derive meaningful insights.
• Visualization & Storytelling - Presents data in compelling, easy-to-use formats that guide decisions.
• Vision Development - Able to define and translate emerging trends in the discipline into aspirational objectives and goals.
• Detail Orientation & Quality - High bar for data accuracy, documentation, and clarity.
• Data Judgement - Reviews data and uses inductive and deductive reasoning to make meaningful inferences and/or recommend further investigative steps.
• Change Agility - Comfortable iterating quickly, adapting to new priorities, and helping others through change.
• Collaboration & Influence - Works effectively across Design, Finance, IT, and global partners; can influence without formal authority.
• Ownership & Follow-Through - Takes end-to-end ownership of data products, from requirements to deployment and maintenance.