Senior Director, Chief Operating Officer (India)

Leading at Cognizant

This is a Leadership role at Cognizant. We believe how you lead is as important as what you deliver. Cognizant leaders at every level: Drive our business strategy and inspire teams around our future. Live the leadership behaviors, leading themselves, others and the business. Uphold our Values, role modeling them in every action and decision. Nurture our people and culture, creating a workplace where all can thrive.

At Cognizant, leadership transcends titles and is embodied in actions and behaviors. We empower our leaders at every level to drive business strategy, inspire teams, uphold our values, and foster an inclusive culture.

About the role

As a Senior Director, Chief Operating Officer, you will significantly influence the operations encompassing all delivery and commercial activities. This includes forecasting and budgeting targets, managing revenue and costs, and overseeing people management to achieve our operational metrics, thereby meeting our revenue and margin growth objectives. You will be a valued member of the CMT team working collaboratively with delivery leaders, commercial leaders, the finance team, other stakeholders, and clients. This role involves overseeing the operations of our $2B+ CMT practice.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and implementation of operational reporting strategies to enhance business performance

• Oversee portfolio and project management processes to ensure alignment with organizational goals

• Provide expert guidance on project planning to optimize resource allocation and timelines.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success and operational efficiency.

• Analyze data to identify trends and opportunities for process improvements

• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices in project management

• Monitor project progress and implement corrective actions as needed

• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead, which means operating with Personal Leadership (building trust, collaboration, and inclusion), Organizational Leadership (driving vision and purpose, demonstrating a strategic and enterprise mindset, and creating and communicating a bold direction that inspires purpose), and Business Leadership (exemplifying client focus, managing ambiguity with accountability and results, and operating with financial acumen)

  What you need to have to be considered

• 20+ years of experience in operational reporting techniques and tools at a global services company

• Expertise in portfolio and project management methodologies

• Expertise in forecasting, budgeting, and revenue management, with a proven ability to develop and implement strategies that ensure profitability

• Strong project planning skills with a focus on efficiency

• Proven track record of successful project delivery in a hybrid work model

• Proficient in data analysis and interpretation for informed decision making

• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business

• The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The right Thing, & Own It

  These will help you succeed

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Maintain a commitment to continues learning and professional development

• Support the development of project management tools and methodologies

• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in operational processes.

• Foster a culture of collaboration and excellence within the team

  Work model – Hybrid

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 4 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Chennai, India. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

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.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com with your request and contact information.

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.