Director Process Architecture & Governance (m/f/d)

Are you ready to help transform Customs Operations at DHL Express—Globally?

We are launching one of the most ambitious Customs Transformation programs in our history, and we’re looking for exceptional people who want to make a real, lasting impact. This is a once in a career opportunity to be part of a major, multi-year change program spanning people, processes, and technology—designed to radically elevate our Customs Operations and Quality across DHL Express Globally. We are scaling our Global Operations and IT business teams from fewer than 30 colleagues today to more than 100+ high impact professionals, building new capabilities and strengthening existing ones. This includes establishing a best-in-class Program Management Office (PMO), creating a Global Customs Process team, expanding Business Capability teams (currently CCG), growing our Business IT teams, and significantly increasing investment in IT development and solution capabilities. This is not a short-term initiative. Customs Transformation represents a long-term capability strategy, backed by an investment of over €100 million, to deliver smarter processes, more powerful systems, and a future ready Customs Operations landscape.

It will be complex. It will be demanding. At times, it will be frustrating. But for those who thrive on challenge, impact, scale, and purpose, it will also be deeply rewarding. Your work will directly shape how DHL Express delivers excellence to customers around the world.

If you want to be part of something big and truly transformational—this is your moment.

We are looking for a Director Process Architecture & Governance .

Role Location: Whilst this role has been advertised as located in a specific location, we will also be considering locating this role at other GHO locations in Europe, including Bonn, Brussels, Maastricht and Leipzig .

As Director Process Architecture & Governance, you will be the strategic owner of the Global Customs Process architecture, responsible for defining and governing the standards, frameworks, and blueprints used across the Global Processes organization. This role oversees the functional areas of Process Governance & Quality (PMO), Enterprise Process Architecture, BPM Tools & Systems, and KPI & Performance, ensuring coherence and alignment across all process‑related activities such as — process maps, standards, systems configurations, KPIs, and governance artifacts. Drawing from enterprise‑level architecture practices, the role ensures that global customs processes follow consistent, scalable principles, harmonized standards, and fit-for-purpose integration approaches.

How will you contribute to the success of DHL?

Process Governance & Quality

• Own the global process governance across process areas, liaising between Process Owners, IT, Regions on design decisions
• Establish and chair "Process Design Authority" forums for customs process change and standardization; ensure cross‑functional representation and transparent decision records.
• Manage framework, including lifecycle rules (create → approve → maintain → retire).
• Ensure global process standardization and regional variations are applied across all process areas.
• Establish governance model in-line with Global SOP standards and processes.
• Ensure business requirements are incorporated consistently across all documentation and in-line with process framework.
• Provide architectural decision-making and escalate support needs/ risks to respective design & change board.
• Ensure decisions are carried forward into development & deployment

• Define process framework and pipeline for process & requirement design.
• Maintain the process architecture (what, how, scope, dimensions) at a conceptual and governance level
• Set and enforce process design standards, templates, modeling conventions, and E2E integration principles, potentially influencing regional stakeholders
• Ensure process architecture reflects scalable design principles, best‑practice integration patterns, and digital enablement opportunities.
• Perform gatekeeping during requirements, testing, acceptance, approvals.
• Ensure SOP updates and training material definition and updates after changes.

• Oversee definition of methodology standards for BPM usage, meta‑modeling, naming conventions, and tool governance.
• Ensure adherence of methodology standards as defined by the Methodology & Project Tools team.
• Oversee and align the use of technology platforms, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture principles such as modularity, reuse, integration consistency, and compliance with global digital standards.

• Ensure KPI frameworks reflect architectural principles such as automation readiness, digital performance, and process integration quality.

• Represent Process Architecture in cross‑functional governance boards & forums.
• Work directly with global & regional / country teams to ensure cross-domain alignment.

Do you have what it takes?

• Relevant university degree, MBA/ Bachelor/ Master in Business Administration/ Informatics, Process Engineering, Information Systems, or related field beneficial, consistent with reference architect profiles.
• English fluency required; other languages are beneficial in a global customs context.
• 7-10 years of experience in defining and governing process architecture, frameworks, and standards.
• Deep understanding of how to set process standards and direction for detailed process modeling.
• Experience applying enterprise architecture concepts (modularity, integration patterns, automation enablement), aligning processes with platforms.
• Strong conceptual understanding of digital tooling, BPM systems, and process governance platforms, e.g. Signavio.
• Familiarity with automation (RPA, OCR, ML), workflow platforms, and integration technologies to guide standards and architectural decisions.
• Understanding of data and integration principles (e.g., API routing, service orchestration) to guide subordinate roles.
• Ability to think E2E and translate global strategic objectives into process architecture requirements.
• Strong analytical ability to evaluate design proposals, dependencies, and architectural impacts.

Please submit your application along with your CV and a copy of your highest educational degree (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA certificate).

DHL is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.