Program Management Director

Professional Services

Tampa, FL Direct Hire Sep 29, 2026

Job Title: Program Management Director

Department: Program Management

Location: Tampa, FL. Fully on-site on a 9/80 schedule, with no designated remote days.

Role Type: Full-time, direct hire (permanent)

About Our Client

Our client is an aerospace and defense company that develops and delivers solutions for U.S. government and defense customers, including energetics-related programs. They work with government officials, industry partners, suppliers, and manufacturing sites, on programs that span construction, commissioning, and manufacturing. The culture values integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, and they are growing their Tampa leadership team.

Job Description

This is a newly created, fully funded leadership role. You will be responsible for overall program management and accountable for program execution, customer satisfaction, and financial performance on complex defense programs, from inception through completion, including construction, commissioning, and manufacturing. You will be the direct interface with customers, suppliers, and stakeholder leadership.

You will lead an integrated program team, providing programmatic and technical leadership, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning. You will guide and influence employees across technical, manufacturing, and administrative areas, coordinate with matrixed leadership, and make sure engineering, manpower, production, and facilities are in place to support the program. You will also direct proposals, business plans, and contract terms, and give executive-level briefings to internal and external stakeholders, including government officials and technical teams in the U.S. and abroad.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader who solves highly complex problems with significant business impact. They can also build roadmaps and strategies that grow the portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex defense programs from inception through completion.
• Develop and implement program strategies, objectives, and deliverables aligned with customer requirements and company goals.
• Own program execution, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for program communications and manage the overall customer relationship.
• Oversee program scope, schedule, budget, and risk, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Manage an integrated program team, providing programmatic and technical leadership, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Direct the work of employees assigned to the program across technical, manufacturing, and administrative areas.
• Coordinate across matrixed leadership and make sure engineering, manpower, production, and facilities resources are available to support the program.
• Direct the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements, specifications, operating budgets, and contract terms.
• Develop and manage program budgets and forecasts, and identify cost savings without compromising quality.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, and ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements.
• Develop and execute business roadmaps and strategies to grow the portfolio.
• Define program parameters and guide internal research and development efforts.
• Deliver executive-level briefings to internal and external stakeholders, including government officials and technical teams in the U.S. and abroad.
• Prepare regular program status reports and maintain complete, traceable program documentation.
• Travel to manufacturing sites, suppliers, and customers [confirm travel percentage, see below].
  
  

Required Experience/Skills

• 15 years of relevant program management experience in the defense industry.
• Proven experience managing large, complex programs with budgets exceeding $300M.
• Strong knowledge of ITAR, DFARS, and FAR.
• Experience working under Undefinitized Contract Actions (UCAs).
• Experience with construction and commissioning of manufacturing facilities.
• Program strategy and capture experience.
• Proven leadership, including coaching, mentoring, and succession planning for program teams.
• Excellent oral, written, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Experience communicating with customers and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including analyzing complex data to make data-driven decisions.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including creating project and milestone charts and presentations for status reporting.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software (ERP, Visio, Project, etc.).
• Authorization to work in the U.S. and U.S. person status.
• Ability to pass a background investigation and drug screening.
  
  

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience building energetic or chemical factories.
• Earned Value Management System (EVMS) experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across business organizations and customer communities.
• PMP or equivalent certification.
• Master's degree (MBA, Engineering, or related field).
  
  

Education

Bachelor's degree required, with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience. Master's degree (MBA, Engineering, or related field) preferred.

Pay & Benefits Summary

• Salary: $190,000–$210,000 per year, depending on experience.
• Bonus: 20% annual bonus potential.
• Schedule: 9/80 work schedule.
• Start date: ASAP.
  
  

Call-to-Action

Ready to lead high-visibility defense programs in Tampa? Apply now, and our team will be in touch quickly.

Keywords: Program Management Director | Director of Program Management | Defense Program Director | Aerospace and Defense | Tampa, FL | ITAR | FAR | DFARS | EVMS | UCA | Energetics | Capture | Government Contracts | Direct Hire