Director - Programs and Operations

Job Description:

You will lead a team of program managers and schedulers, guiding their performance and professional development. In addition, you will manage a select portfolio of high-technology programs across the product lifecycle, ensuring technical, cost, and schedule objectives are achieved. Reporting directly to the Vice President/General Manager, you will exercise substantial decision-making authority and collaborate with cross-functional leaders to shape business strategy and customer relationships.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages and leads next level program managers and scheduling staff in their weekly tasking and professional development.
• Manages multiple programs in accordance with contracts and policies, procedures and department instructions. Leads program execution to meet technical performance within cost and schedule.
• Builds relationships with key customers and stakeholders to improve and promote business growth opportunities.
• Improves organizational effectiveness through program execution discipline, innovation, metrics, clear communication and quality reviews of work performed by your staff.
• Manages, oversees, monitors and approves all elements of assigned program activities from inception to completion including proposal development, product design, procurement, subcontracting, manufacturing, testing, delivery, installation and acceptance of products.
• Effectively manages major programs ($10M or greater in sales) within a project or matrix organization.
• Performs program financial management to ensure that profit is earned and cash is collected.
• Performs Earned Value Management System (EVMS) tasks effectively.
• Actively performs risk management and pursues risk reduction on assigned programs.
• Plans and directs integration of cross-functional program teams that represent various organizations within the Company.
• Works with peers (Engineering Director, Business Development Lead, Contracts, Finance, etc.) to define and execute against the business strategy on behalf of the VPGM.
• Identifies and escalates program and organizational issues with sufficient lead for timely resolution.
• Participates in marketing new technology, developing potential new business, and responsible for obtaining follow-on business in conjunction with Business Development.
• Works to grow the business through contract changes, preplanned product improvements and adjacent/new opportunities through customer affinity and insight.
• Leads proposal efforts for new business, including proposal preparation, statements of work, WBS development, risk assessment, labor and material estimation, negotiation and administration of contracts.
• Mentors program managers in successful execution of programs.
• Prepares and delivers executive level briefings each month as part of the business Operating System.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 6 years experience; or equivalent experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional program teams.
• Proven understanding of communications technology program development.
• Proven understanding of contract administration, finance, engineering, operations (procurement, subcontracting, and manufacturing), system integration and test, quality assurance, configuration management, logistics, standard business practices, and the relationship of programs within a portfolio.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, make presentations and conduct negotiations with customers, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Requires knowledge of government procurement, contracting, and standards and specifications.
• Requires active or ability to obtain a U.S. DoD Top Security Clearance.