Program Director, Certification

SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (ITC), Performance Review Institute (PRI) and SAE International (SAE), deliver shared solutions to industry's common challenges.

Join us and create a higher standard for a better world.

The Program Director is a strategic leadership role responsible for the overall performance, profitability, and growth of PRI’s Certification program. This position involves setting and executing strategic product direction, managing full profit and loss (P&L) responsibilities, and acting as the primary liaison between PRI, customers, and external stakeholders. The Program Director collaborates with executive leadership to develop future strategies and ensure alignment with PRI’s long-term goals while maintaining strong relationships with clients and industry partners.

Essential Functions

• Strategic Leadership & Vision:
  
  

Develop and execute strategic plans for PRI’s Certification program aligned with organizational goals and market trends. Collaborate with executive leadership to define program strategies that enhance business outcomes, scalability, and customer satisfaction.

• Profit & Loss Management
  
  

Assume full responsibility for program profitability, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. Identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and revenue growth to ensure financial viability of all programs.

• Program Development & Optimization
  
  

Continuously refine and enhance program strategies to achieve business objectives and meet evolving customer needs. Track and analyze program performance metrics to ensure alignment with goals and identify areas for improvement.

• Customer Engagement & Representation
  
  

Serve as the “face of PRI” and the “voice of the customer,” maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure programs meet or exceed expectations. Act as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the program lifecycle, gathering feedback and promoting PRI’s value propositions.

• Collaboration & Communication
  
  

Work closely with departments such as Marketing, Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Business Development to ensure cohesive execution of program objectives. Present program updates, gather feedback, and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
  
  

Drive innovation within PRI programs by staying updated with industry trends, technological advancements, and best practices. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement through proactive risk identification, analysis, and mitigation.

Other Non-essential Functions

• Represent the organization at industry events, conferences, and meetings as needed.
• Conduct regular program reviews to ensure alignment on priorities and expectations.
• Maintain consistent communication with executive leadership, providing updates on progress, performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Engage with stakeholders to address operational challenges and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
• Stay informed about industry trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies that may impact program delivery or customer needs.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field
• Experience:
• 10–15 years of relevant experience in program management, product management, or leadership within industries aligned with PRI’s scope (aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, etc.).
• Proven experience leading complex programs and collaborating across functional teams.
• Strong understanding of financial principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management.
• Demonstrated experience in customer relationship management and acting as a customer advocate.
  
  

• Skills:
• Familiarity with auditing, industry managed programs, ISO standards, certification processes, and industry-specific requirements is a plus.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, P&L Management, and resource allocation.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and team development abilities, with experience fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
• Experience working within matrix-based, functional-based, and program-based organizational structures.
  
  

• Key Competencies:
• Ability to align program objectives with PRI’s broader mission and long-term goals.
• Strong capability in budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and mitigating operational risks.
• Proven skill in building, mentoring, and motivating high-performing, cross-functional teams.
• Utilizing data and metrics to make informed decisions and drive improvement.
• Continuously pursuing innovation and staying updated with industry trends.
• Commitment to enhancing client satisfaction, developing partnerships, and building relationships.
• Effective leader with a focus on talent development, collaboration, and innovation.
• Skilled communicator, capable of engaging with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Results-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Disciplines such as Mechanical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering preferred.
• A Master’s degree or MBA is strongly preferred.
  
  

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel 15-20% of the time.
• Standard office environment.
  
  

About The Organization

SAE Industry Technologies Consortia® (SAE ITC) enables organizations to define and pilot best practices. SAE ITC industry stakeholders are able to work together to effectively solve common problems, achieve mutual benefit for industry, and create business value.

The Performance Review Institute® (PRI) is the world leader in facilitating collaborative supply chain oversight programs, quality management systems approvals, and professional development in industries where safety and quality are shared values.

SAE International® (SAEI) is a global organization serving the mobility sector, predominantly in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries, fostering innovation, and enabling engineering professionals. Since 1905, SAE has harnessed the collective wisdom of engineers around the world to create industry-enabling standards. Likewise, SAE members have advanced their knowledge and understanding of mobility engineering through our information resources, professional development, and networking.

Fullsight is a shared services group working across three affiliate organizations, SAE ITC, SAE International, and Performance Review Institute (PRI), uniformly delivering HR, IT, Legal, Customer Success, Finance, and Procurement services, which enables us to distribute resources across all parts of our businesses.

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Fullsight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.