Heather Williams

About Heather Williams

I\'m a high-energy, optimistic leader passionate about driving strategic initiatives and launching impactful programs. As Manager of the Launch Program Office, I thrive at the intersection of technology, data, and business—bringing cross-functional teams together to deliver seamless, successful launches.Curious by nature and a lifelong learner, I’m always seeking to understand how things work and how to make them better. Whether it\'s solving complex operational challenges or building scalable processes, I bring a hands-on, thoughtful approach to everything I do.I believe in the power of collaboration, clear communication, and continuous improvement. My goal is to create environments where teams feel empowered, aligned, and excited to deliver great work.

Experience

1. Manager, Launch Program Office

   SAS

   Oct 2025 — Present · Cary, NC, US

   Vision & Purpose: • Lead a team driving strategic, high-impact product launches across SAS’s Data & AI portfolio. • Champion precision, collaboration, and execution excellence in go-to-market strategies. Key Responsibilities: • Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Product Launch Program Managers. • Set clear goals, conduct performance reviews, and support career growth. • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture. • Oversee end-to-end execution of cross-functional launch programs. • Standardize and improve launch processes, tools, and governance. • Align with product development and release management frameworks. • Partner with product, engineering, marketing, sales, and customer success teams. • Serve as escalation point and proactively remove roadblocks. • Define and track KPIs for program health and launch effectiveness. • Provide insights and reporting to senior leadership.Core Values & Competencies: • Strategic Alignment – Ensure initiatives align with portfolio and business goals. • Collaboration – Build strong cross-functional partnerships. • Innovation – Embrace creativity to accelerate market impact. • Execution Excellence – Commit to precision, agility, and continuous improvement. • Accountability – Deliver with integrity and ownership. • Adaptability – Thrive in dynamic environments with resilience. • Trust & Inclusion – Foster a respectful, high-trust, and inclusive culture. • Delegation & Empowerment – Accelerate results by enabling team autonomy.

Education

• North Carolina State University

  Bachelor's Degree

• Southern New Hampshire University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)