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Strategic Program Manager Middle and Eastern Europe (m/f/d) - Job Opportunity at SAP

Walldorf, Germany
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 9, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 85,000 - 120,000 annually plus performance bonuses and equity compensation. This estimate reflects the senior-level responsibilities, international scope, and specialized SAP expertise required. The role's strategic importance to SAP's regional growth and the candidate's responsibility for multi-million dollar customer engagements justify compensation in the upper quartile of the market range for similar positions in Germany.

Benefits

Employee referral program providing financial incentives for successful candidate recommendations
Hybrid work model offering flexibility to balance remote and office-based collaboration
Comprehensive learning and development programs designed to accelerate professional growth
Recognition programs that acknowledge individual contributions and achievements
Flexible benefit options allowing customization based on personal needs and preferences
Health and well-being focused initiatives supporting physical and mental wellness
Inclusive workplace culture promoting diversity and equal opportunity advancement
International travel opportunities expanding global business exposure and cultural understanding

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic customer engagements across Middle and Eastern Europe region, directly impacting SAP's largest revenue-generating accounts and driving multi-million dollar transformation initiatives
Develop and sponsor comprehensive customer success strategies that align with regional business objectives and establish SAP as the preferred technology partner for enterprise digital transformation
Create and implement best practice frameworks for CSS Cloud Transformation, establishing standardized methodologies that enhance service delivery quality and accelerate customer time-to-value across the region
Orchestrate complex stakeholder coordination across regional and global Customer Success teams, ensuring seamless service delivery and maintaining strategic alignment with corporate objectives
Execute proactive problem-solving and customer de-escalation strategies, protecting critical business relationships and maintaining customer satisfaction scores that directly impact contract renewals and expansion opportunities
Manage end-to-end project lifecycle for large-scale SAP implementations exceeding $5 million in value, utilizing agile and SAP Activate methodologies to deliver transformational business outcomes
Drive bid management activities and implementation planning that directly supports software and services sales closure, contributing to regional revenue targets and market share expansion
Establish and lead project steering committees and governance structures that ensure on-time, on-budget delivery while maintaining the highest levels of customer satisfaction and business impact measurement
Develop and mentor cross-functional project teams spanning multiple business units and international boundaries, building organizational capability and ensuring knowledge transfer for sustainable growth
Create long-term value roadmaps and strategic plans that align with customer business objectives, positioning SAP solutions as critical enablers of digital transformation and competitive advantage

Requirements

Education

Master's degree, preferably in finance, commerce, engineering, information technologies, computer science, MBA or equivalent

Experience

Ideally 12+ years project management experience (SAP software) with numerous large scale implementations (> 5 Mio. $)

Required Skills

Excellent knowledge of project management methodologies SAP methodologies (including SAP Activate and SAP Solution Manager) Proactive attitude in managing stakeholder satisfaction to position and secure customer success Demonstrated ability to command the attention and respect of senior level leaders and confidently make presentations to large and executive audiences Experience managing a number of internal and external stakeholders Interpersonal skills and abilities Team oriented: ability to build strong relationships at every level of the organization Strong motivator who knows how to influence others to deliver consistently their best work Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills Fluent in English, another language is beneficial Results-driven / Self-organized / Decision making Knowledge of one or more functional business processes (Logistic, Finance, etc.) Experience in Client-facing/Service roles Exceptional written and verbal Communication skills with fluent German and English Proven Presentation skills Team Player Strong technical aptitude and ability to understand technical concepts quickly Ability to prioritize and manage workload to meet deadlines and budget Virtual global team management Excellent customer focus / Networking / Relationship Building

Certifications

PMP certification or other project management certifications are desirable
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Enterprise cloud transformation is accelerating globally with organizations prioritizing hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, creating unprecedented demand for strategic program managers who can navigate complex technology ecosystems and deliver measurable business outcomes. The Middle and Eastern Europe region specifically is experiencing rapid digital adoption as companies modernize legacy systems to remain competitive in global markets. The shift toward outcome-based consulting and customer success models is reshaping how technology companies deliver value, moving beyond traditional implementation services to long-term strategic partnerships. This trend is particularly pronounced in the enterprise software sector where vendors are increasingly measured on customer business results rather than just software deployment success. Geopolitical considerations and data sovereignty requirements in the MEE region are driving increased demand for localized expertise and cultural understanding in technology implementations. Organizations are seeking program managers who can navigate complex regulatory environments while delivering global-standard solutions that meet local compliance requirements.

Role Significance

The role typically involves leading cross-functional teams of 15-25 professionals including project managers, technical consultants, business analysts, and partner resources. Additionally, the position requires coordination with extended virtual teams spanning multiple time zones and cultural contexts, effectively managing a broader ecosystem of 50+ stakeholders across customer organizations, partner companies, and internal SAP business units.
This is a senior leadership position with direct accountability for SAP's most strategic customer relationships in a key growth region. The role operates at the intersection of sales, delivery, and customer success, requiring executive-level decision-making authority and the ability to influence outcomes across multiple organizational levels. The position reports to senior management and has significant autonomy in shaping regional strategy and customer engagement approaches.

Key Projects

Multi-year enterprise-wide SAP S/4HANA transformations involving complex system integrations, business process reengineering, and organizational change management across multiple countries and business units Strategic cloud migration initiatives that require careful orchestration of hybrid architectures, data governance frameworks, and compliance requirements specific to regional regulations and industry standards Large-scale digital transformation programs that extend beyond technology implementation to include business model innovation, analytics capabilities, and artificial intelligence integration to drive competitive advantage

Success Factors

Executive presence and communication skills are paramount, as the role requires regular interaction with C-level executives who are making multi-million dollar investment decisions. Success depends on the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value propositions and maintain credibility during challenging project phases or customer escalations. Cultural intelligence and regional market understanding are critical for success in the MEE region, where business practices, decision-making processes, and relationship-building approaches vary significantly across countries. The ability to navigate these differences while maintaining consistent service delivery standards determines long-term customer satisfaction and business growth. Strategic thinking combined with operational excellence is essential, as the role requires both visionary planning for long-term customer relationships and meticulous execution of complex project deliverables. Success requires balancing competing priorities while maintaining focus on measurable business outcomes that justify continued investment in SAP solutions. Stakeholder management expertise across multiple dimensions including internal SAP teams, customer organizations, partner ecosystems, and regulatory bodies. The ability to align diverse interests and maintain momentum toward common objectives while managing conflicting priorities and expectations is fundamental to achieving project success and customer satisfaction.

Market Demand

Very High - The convergence of digital transformation acceleration, cloud adoption mandates, and the critical shortage of experienced SAP professionals with strategic program management capabilities creates exceptional market demand. Companies are competing aggressively for professionals who can bridge technical implementation expertise with business strategy and customer relationship management.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

SAP methodology expertise and technical understanding are absolutely essential as the role requires credible guidance on complex implementation decisions and the ability to troubleshoot technical challenges that could impact project success. Without deep SAP knowledge, it would be impossible to maintain customer confidence or provide meaningful direction to technical teams. Executive communication and presentation skills are critical for success as the role requires regular interaction with C-level executives who are making multi-million dollar investment decisions. The ability to articulate complex technical concepts in business terms and maintain composure during challenging situations directly impacts customer relationships and business outcomes. Multi-cultural stakeholder management capabilities are essential given the diverse nature of the MEE region and the complexity of managing relationships across different countries, cultures, and business practices. Success requires understanding and adapting to local customs while maintaining consistent service delivery standards. Strategic thinking and business acumen are fundamental as the role requires developing long-term customer success strategies that align with business objectives and market conditions. The ability to see beyond immediate technical requirements to understand broader business implications determines the effectiveness of customer engagement strategies.

Beneficial Skills

Additional language skills beyond English and German would provide significant advantages in the MEE region, enabling more effective communication with local stakeholders and deeper cultural understanding that enhances customer relationships and business development opportunities Industry-specific knowledge in key sectors such as manufacturing, energy, or public sector would enhance the ability to understand customer business challenges and provide more relevant solutions that drive measurable business value and competitive advantage Advanced analytics and data science understanding would be increasingly valuable as customers seek to leverage SAP's analytics capabilities and artificial intelligence features to drive innovation and operational efficiency Change management and organizational development expertise would enhance the ability to support customers through complex transformation initiatives, addressing the human and cultural aspects of technology implementation that often determine long-term success

Unique Aspects

This role combines strategic customer relationship management with complex technical program delivery, requiring a unique blend of business acuity, technical understanding, and cultural sensitivity that is rarely found in traditional program management positions
The position offers direct exposure to SAP's most strategic customers and highest-value implementations, providing exceptional learning opportunities and career advancement potential within one of the world's leading technology companies
The role's focus on the MEE region provides unique international experience and cultural development opportunities, with exposure to diverse business environments, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics that enhance global business competency
The integration of sales support, delivery management, and customer success responsibilities creates a comprehensive understanding of the entire customer lifecycle, providing valuable experience that is highly transferable across industries and functional areas

Career Growth

Career progression to director-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the strategic nature of this position and the accelerated learning opportunities. The combination of regional responsibility, large-scale project management, and customer success accountability provides comprehensive executive development that supports rapid advancement in SAP's leadership hierarchy or transition to senior customer-side roles.

Potential Next Roles

Regional Customer Success Director or Vice President overseeing broader geographic territories and larger customer portfolios, with full P&L responsibility for service delivery operations Global Practice Lead or Principal for SAP's consulting organization, responsible for methodology development, capability building, and thought leadership across multiple regions Senior Director of Strategic Accounts with responsibility for SAP's largest global enterprise customers, requiring deep industry expertise and executive relationship management at the highest levels Transition to customer-side roles such as Chief Transformation Officer or VP of Digital Strategy at large enterprises, leveraging deep SAP expertise to drive organizational change from within

Company Overview

SAP

SAP is the world's largest enterprise application software company and a market leader in enterprise resource planning software, serving over 440,000 customers in more than 180 countries. The company has successfully transformed from a traditional software vendor to a cloud-first organization, with significant investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics capabilities that position it at the forefront of digital transformation initiatives.

SAP maintains dominant market share in enterprise resource planning and is recognized as a leader in multiple Gartner Magic Quadrants including Cloud ERP, Analytics and Business Intelligence Platforms, and Customer Success Management. The company's strong financial performance, consistent innovation pipeline, and extensive partner ecosystem reinforce its position as the preferred choice for large-scale enterprise transformations.
The Middle and Eastern Europe region represents a key growth area for SAP, with increasing adoption of cloud solutions and digital transformation initiatives across diverse industries including manufacturing, retail, energy, and public sector. SAP's regional headquarters in Germany provides strong support for MEE operations, while local offices and partner networks ensure comprehensive market coverage and cultural alignment.
SAP's culture emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and purpose-driven work, with strong commitments to diversity, inclusion, and employee development. The company's hybrid work model and focus on work-life balance reflect modern workplace expectations, while its investment in employee growth and recognition programs support long-term career development and job satisfaction.
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