The Software Delivery Lead is responsible for delivery predictability, readiness discipline, and execution orchestration for complex, embedded, and regulated software programs.
This role does not include people management or technical design authority. Instead, it focuses on ensuring that software work starts ready, progresses predictably, risks are surfaced early, and delivery trade‑offs are framed clearly for decision‑making.
Key Responsibilities
Delivery Orchestration & Predictability
Own planning and delivery for assigned software programs
Define and enforce readiness criteria before execution begins
Track execution against milestones and commitments
Use delivery indicators and milestone confidence signals to surface risks early
Identify delivery risks, dependencies, and constraint violations proactively
Experience managing delivery in environments with both iterative and milestone-driven work
Status & Planning Coordination
Serve as the primary point of contact for software delivery status, planning coordination, and cross‑functional dependencies
Consolidate delivery inputs into clear, leadership‑ready updates
Create dashboards to communicate delivery status, progress and risks
Ensure consistent delivery messaging across project and program forums
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Lead structured scope change impact assessments across:
Schedule
Capacity
Cost
Dependencies
Risk
Support delivery‑level resource planning and identify capacity risks early
Track software delivery budget and spend at the project or program level
Frame trade‑off options and support commitment resets when required
Cross‑Functional Coordination
Coordinate dependencies across software, hardware, systems, quality, regulatory, and operations teams
Remove blockers or escalate when resolution exceeds team‑level authority
Support one or more projects in parallel, depending on size and complexity
Role Boundaries
This role owns
Delivery orchestration and readiness discipline
Execution tracking and delivery predictability
Delivery risk identification and escalation
Cross‑functional coordination and dependency management
Delivery‑level resource and budget visibility
This role does NOT own
People management or performance management
Software architecture or technical design authority
Formal technical or regulatory approval or sign‑off
Cost center ownership or financial approvals
Tool administration or Scrum‑only ceremony ownership
Authority & Leadership Model
The Senior Software Delivery Lead leads delivery orchestration, readiness, and cross‑functional coordination.
Final trade‑off decisions when scope, schedule, risk, and quality conflict remain with senior leadership.
Strong facilitation and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead through ambiguity
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and coordinate across stakeholder groups
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs. Assoc.+9 yrs.; M.S.+2 yrs.; PhD+0 yrs.)
The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
5 Years of Relevant Experience
Preferred Qualifications
5+ years as an embedded software developer
Delivery or program certifications such as PMP, SAFe, or equivalent
Experience supporting multiple concurrent programs in regulated environments
8+ years of experience in software delivery, technical program management, or delivery leadership
Experience delivering embedded and/or regulated software, including hardware‑software dependencies
Demonstrated ability to lead through influence without direct authority
Strong executive‑level communication and stakeholder management skills
Experience with delivery and planning tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Microsoft Project, or Planner
Strong understanding of the software development life cycle and working with technical teams
What Success Looks Like
Predictable software delivery with fewer late surprises
Clear readiness before execution begins
Early visibility into schedule, capacity, and budget risks
Reduced coordination and status burden on Software Leads
Sustainable execution across multiple parallel programs
ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker
If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.
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Compensation and Benefits
Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long‑term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short‑term and long‑term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well‑being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.
The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.
Pay Range 128,350.00 - 166,100.00
Pay Frequency Annual
Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
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