U

UL Solutions

Global safety testing, certification, and inspection

Program Manager Lead - Global Operations

Full-Time
$120k - $150k/yr+ 20% target annual bonus
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, Master of Arts (MA)
Northbrook, IL, USA+1 moreMore locations: Chicago, IL, USA
HybridHybrid role; specific required in-office days are not stated.
Project & Program ManagementProgram Management

About the job

Requirements
  • Generally, 10 years or more of related discipline experience or demonstrated competency, including 5 years or more of relevant management or leadership experience or demonstrated competency.
  • Experience successfully executing programs in a diverse global business environment.
  • Experience leading or providing oversight to other project managers, including coaching on project planning, execution discipline, stakeholder management, risk management, and reporting.
  • Background in the development of strategic and tactical planning necessary for successful completion of large-scale projects.
  • Experience developing, evaluating, and submitting business cases for major capital investments.
  • Experience with cross-geographical project coordination and management.
  • Experience working with project and portfolio management tools such as Visio, Microsoft Project, and Clarity.
  • Experience in Organizational Change Management.
  • A bachelor's degree is required, or equivalent work experience.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability, technical and business acumen, and industry knowledge.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects under strict timelines and meet overall objectives in a demanding, dynamic environment.
  • Proven ability to build and lead integrated teams from various internal and external organizations across multiple sites.
  • Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop project managers and project teams to deliver complex initiatives with consistent standards, governance, and accountability.
  • Sound knowledge of business management.
  • Proven ability to lead diverse teams.
  • Background in the development of strategic and tactical planning for technology and people resources necessary to complete several large-scale projects.
  • Demonstrated analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and achieve broadly communicated objectives.
  • Excellent written, oral, presentation, and meeting facilitation skills.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills.
  • Financial, budget, and resource management skills.
  • Ability to provide recommendations on complex issues and navigate conflict.
  • Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work effectively across organizational levels, including executive-level reporting and escalation.
  • Ability to promote innovative ideas and accept the risks required to lead change.
  • Ability to make decisions independently and assume higher-level leadership responsibilities in critical situations.
  • Ability to work with senior leaders.
  • Professionalism, self-motivation, urgency, and personal integrity.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and deliver a broad portfolio of strategic initiatives supporting Global Operations, including footprint, lab, field, quality, operational excellence, and other enterprise priorities.
  • Develop workplans, manage execution, coordinate stakeholders, track risks and milestones, and drive outcomes aligned with Global Operations and enterprise strategies.
  • Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to other project managers.
  • Conduct research, collect and analyze internal and external data, prepare studies and recommendations, and identify approaches, resources, and tools to improve global operations.
  • Partner with business leaders, functional teams, project managers, and regional stakeholders globally on program design, project execution, stakeholder management, change management, and strategic communications.
  • Develop and maintain scalable project management processes, tools, and methods for Global Operations initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the enterprise project management office to maintain governance, processes, reporting, and project management capabilities.
  • Translate corporate and Global Operations strategies into actionable program plans.
  • Identify, prioritize, plan, and execute activities supporting Global Operations strategies, priorities, and special initiatives across lab, field, quality, and enterprise operations.
  • Manage implementation of large, complex programs and provide project management leadership, governance, and support to global project teams.
  • Lead, coach, and support project managers to strengthen delivery, improve consistency, and ensure alignment with Global Operations priorities.
  • Act as the front-line lead for program activities, issues, risks, dependencies, and decisions; manage risks and take corrective action.
  • Analyze information regarding customers, products, markets, geographies, and competitors in laboratory and operations-related areas to support opportunities.
  • Interpret information to determine costs and potential benefits to laboratory operations and UL Solutions.
  • Interface with C-suite executives, business unit leaders, and finance to develop business cases and financial measures.
  • Partner with purchasing to develop purchase orders and manage suppliers and vendor relationships.
  • Manage the program budget and financial performance.
  • Manage stakeholder communications.
  • Support communication and change management for laboratory and operations strategic-plan objectives with cross-functional, regional, and local management.
  • Coordinate with corporate communications and change management teams.
Desired Qualifications
  • An advanced degree or equivalent work experience.
  • MBA, Master of Arts in Project Management, or master's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology.
  • Project Management Professional and/or Agile certifications, with related hands-on delivery experience.

About the company

UL Solutions tests, inspects, and certifies products and systems to ensure safety, security, and sustainability. It applies rigorous safety standards across electronics, mobility, cybersecurity, and energy technology, issuing the UL Mark to products that pass. Its work blends laboratory testing, risk assessment, conformity certification, and advisory services to help manufacturers navigate compliance and supply-chain risk. Its goal is to help companies bring safer, more reliable products to market worldwide, supported by a long history and global reach.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Northbrook, Illinois

Founded

1894

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue reached $816 million, with 6.6% organic growth and raised full-year outlook.
  • September 24, 2026 prefabricated data-center power certification won Schneider Electric as first customer.
  • AI infrastructure demand lifts UL Solutions' liquid cooling, power distribution, and EMC testing pipelines.

What critics are saying

  • June 2026 restructuring exits cut about 1% of revenue and finish only by Q1 2027.
  • Q2 2026 margins faced pressure from compensation, professional fees, and acquisition-related integration costs.
  • Intertek, SGS, and TÜV compete directly; certification commoditization threatens UL's pricing power.

What makes UL Solutions unique

  • UL Solutions monetizes century-old safety standards, certification, and follow-up testing across 110 countries.
  • September 29, 2026: UL 4501 certification targets direct-to-chip liquid cooling for AI data centers.
  • Toyota City EMC lab, opened July 1, 2026, deepens automotive safety-testing breadth.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Remote Work Options
  • Wellness Program
  • Mental Health Support

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Sep 29th, 2026
UL Solutions certifies direct-to-chip liquid cooling for AI data centers

UL Solutions has launched a certification programme for direct-to-chip liquid cooling equipment used in AI data centres. The certification evaluates liquid cooling subassemblies for safety, performance, leak integrity and interoperability. AI chips generate intense heat that traditional air cooling may not adequately address. Direct-to-chip liquid cooling uses coolant flowing through a cold plate attached to the chip to absorb and carry away heat. The certification covers components including cold plates, manifolds and quick disconnects. UL Solutions evaluates these using UL 4501, assessing coolant compatibility, pressure integrity, durability and interoperability. Global data centre electricity use is expected to more than double between 2024 and 2030, with cooling accounting for up to 40% of energy consumption. The certification aims to help manufacturers demonstrate product readiness whilst enabling data centre operators to make informed purchasing decisions.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 14th, 2026
UL Solutions launches certification for vehicle-to-grid tech enabling EVs to supply power back to the grid

UL Solutions has launched a certification programme for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, enabling electric vehicles to supply power back to the grid during high demand periods. The programme aims to build confidence in technologies that transform parked EVs into backup power resources. V2G systems allow parked vehicles to send electricity to the grid when demand is high and recharge during lower-demand periods. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, approximately 90% of electric vehicles remain parked at any given time under typical driving patterns. A recent E3 study commissioned by General Motors estimates V2G could potentially deliver 5 to 15 times more per-vehicle value than one-way managed charging in many markets. The certification programme helps manufacturers demonstrate safety and reliability whilst supporting grid stability.

Business Wire
Aug 24th, 2026
UL Solutions launches Retail Total Access software to help retailers manage supply chain quality

UL Solutions has launched Retail Total Access, a software platform designed to help retailers manage product quality and supply chain risk through unified data visibility. The platform consolidates testing, inspection, and audit information into a single system, enabling teams to monitor supplier performance and identify recurring issues. The software addresses common challenges retailers face, including limited supplier visibility and disconnected systems. It allows users to track which vendors are performing well, identify repeat failures, monitor shipment delays due to quality issues, and assess regional risk levels. Retail Total Access includes tools for submitting requests, tracking progress, accessing reports, managing failures, and reviewing performance analytics. The platform was developed based on customer input and will continue evolving to support changing quality and compliance needs across global supply chains.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 13th, 2026
UL Solutions beats EPS estimates despite margin pressures from higher compensation and restructuring costs

UL Solutions reported second-quarter revenue of $816 million, meeting analyst expectations, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.59 beating estimates of $0.56. The company posted 5.2% year-on-year revenue growth and maintained an operating margin of 18.4%. CEO Jennifer Scanlon attributed performance to demand across Industrial and Consumer segments, driven by electrification, automation, and energy transition. The company saw double-digit growth in data centre-related power and automation services. However, higher employee compensation, incentives, and professional fees pressured margins. CFO Ryan Robinson said integration expenses and performance-based compensation created near-term headwinds, though management reaffirmed its full-year margin outlook. Despite meeting expectations, the market reacted negatively to the results.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 4th, 2026
UL Solutions reports Q2 2026 revenue up 5.2% to $816M with 161.9% net income growth

UL Solutions Inc. reported strong second quarter 2026 results with revenue growing 5.2% to $816 million, driven by 6.6% organic revenue growth led by Industrial and Consumer segments. Net income surged 161.9% to $254 million, whilst adjusted net income increased 17.3% to $129 million. The company's net income margin expanded to 31.1%, up 1,860 basis points year-over-year, boosted by the sale of its Employee Health and Safety software business. Adjusted EBITDA rose 11.2% to $219 million, with margin expansion of 140 basis points to 26.8%. Diluted earnings per share climbed 168.9% to $1.21, and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 13.5% to $0.59. CEO Jennifer Scanlon highlighted the company's alignment with megatrends and strong positioning for the remainder of 2026.