Overview:

Join Cognizant as an inspiring leader within the Program & Project Management community. This key role is responsible to design transition solutions and to lead/drive transition of multi-service, multi-geo and multi-vendor transitions. Successful candidates will not only manage transition objectives but will also have responsibility for ensuring satisfaction of client stakeholders.

The Transition Director is accountable for planning governing and executing the transition of production support services from incumbent teams to Cognizant ensuring operational readiness and minimal disruption. This role drives transition strategy stakeholder alignment and readiness milestones across global delivery locations.

Key Responsibilities and Capabilities:

· Governance & Leadership Establish and lead transition governance: Steering Committee (monthly) Transition Management Committee (weekly) and Operational forums (daily) Act as the single point of accountability for transition execution risk management and client communications.

· Transition Planning & Execution Define and manage transition phases: Planning/Readiness Knowledge Acquisition Shadow Reverse Shadow and Go-Live Track readiness criteria: staffing access coverage breadth/depth and productivity targets

· Ensure compliance with scope timelines and risk mitigation plans.

· Stakeholder & Change Management Collaborate with client leadership and incumbent teams to secure approvals infrastructure and SME bandwidth

· Drive organizational change management (OCM) and communication plans.

· Financial & Contractual Oversight Manage transition budgets cost components and reporting against actual vs. target metrics

· Enablement & Handover Ensure knowledge transfer completion runbook sign-off and operational readiness for steady state.

· Align delivery teams for seamless handover post-transition.

Required Skills & Experience

· 15+ years in IT delivery with multi-service line transition experience.

· Proven track record in large-scale transitions (100+ FTE) and governance leadership

· Strong knowledge of ITIL processes production support operations and managed services models.

· Expertise in risk management, stakeholder engagement and financial governance during transition.

· Success Metrics Transition completed within agreed timelines and cost.

· Readiness criteria met (staffing access coverage productivity) Zero major service disruptions during transition.

Required Education: MBA or Master’s degree strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required

Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in US without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $115,000.00 – $200,000.00 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

· Technical Skills & Qualifications:

· Experience across multiple industry domains

· Experience in managing transitions larger than 500 FTEs across Application support and Application development services

· Experience in designing transition solutions and in making orals presentations to clients as part of sales pursuits/ RFP process

· Experience with transition Infrastructure services transition is desirable

· 18+ years of experience

Required Education: MBA or Master’s degree strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required

Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in US without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $115,000.00 and $200,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

#CB #LI-Hartford

The Cognizant community:
We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

About us:
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer:
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.