What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Management Director position at Paligentech?
Paligen Technologies is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Program Management Director to lead and manage complex defense programs from inception through completion, including construction, commissioning, and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in program management within the defense industry, with a proven track record of delivering large-scale projects on time and within budget. This role requires exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
In this leadership role the individual will be responsible for overall program management and is accountable for program execution, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. This position will have a direct interface with customers, suppliers, and stakeholder leadership. The role includes responsibility for guiding Paligen employees in their work and influencing them to deliver their best.
Key Responsibilities:
In this leadership role the individual will be responsible for overall program management and is accountable for program execution, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. This position will have a direct interface with customers, suppliers, and stakeholder leadership. The role includes responsibility for guiding Paligen employees in their work and influencing them to deliver their best.
Key Responsibilities:
- Program Leadership: Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex defense programs. Develop and implement program strategies, objectives, and deliverables. Ensure alignment with customer requirements and company goals.
- Stakeholder Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with customers, partners, and key stakeholders. Act as the primary point of contact for program-related communications. Manage customer expectations and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Project Management: Oversee all aspects of program management, including scope, schedule, budget, and risk management. Develop detailed project plans, milestones, and timelines. Monitor program progress and implement corrective actions as needed.
- Team Leadership: Lead and mentor cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, finance, and supply chain. Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture. Provide guidance and support to team members to achieve program objectives.
- Financial Management: Develop and manage program budgets and financial forecasts. Track program expenses and ensure financial targets are met. Identify and implement cost-saving measures without compromising quality.
- Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues. Develop and implement risk management plans and contingency strategies. Ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements.
- Reporting and Documentation: Prepare and deliver regular program status reports to senior management and customers. Maintain comprehensive program documentation, including contracts, reports, and records. Ensure all program activities are well-documented and traceable.
- Represents Paligen Technologies brand to external customers.
- Provides executive level briefings to key internal and external stakeholders; presenting at both internal and external meetings, with government officials, REPKON USA Leadership, and various technical teams in Türkiye and the US.
- Ability and drive to solve highly complex problems with significant business impact.
- Direct the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets, and financial terms/conditions of contracts
- Manage an integrated program team to include providing programmatic and technical leadership, coaching, mentoring, and succession planning
- Cross-functional coordination with matrixed leadership to accomplish objectives
- Ensure that all resources such as engineering, manpower, production, and facilities are available to support the program
- Direct the work of employees assigned to the program from technical, manufacturing, and administrative areas
- Develop and execute business roadmaps and strategies to grow the portfolio
- Define program parameters and/or guiding internal research and development efforts
- Ensure customer satisfaction, maintaining customer communication, and providing overall management of the customer relationship
- Act with integrity, work collaboratively, meet commitments, and apply continual improvement methodologies in all work.
- Other projects assigned and directed by Leadership.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience
- Strong knowledge of defense industry regulations and requirements, including ITAR, DFARS, and FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation).
- Proven experience managing large, complex programs with budgets exceeding $300 million.
- Experience working under Un-definitized Contract Actions and construction and commissioning of manufacturing facilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with internal stakeholders and customers.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex data and make data-driven decisions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite: Ability to create project and milestone charts, and use data and create value added presentations to report updates, status reports, etc.
- Proficiency in project management tools and software (ERP, Visio, Project etc.).
- Program strategy and capture experience.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent oral, written, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Experience with customer and stakeholder communication.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree preferred – MBA, Engineering, or related field
- PMP or equivalent certification is highly desirable.
- Experience building energetic or chemical factories.
- Earned Value Management System experience
- Experience leading cross functional teams and working across different business organizations and customer communities
Other Requirements:
- Travel: ~50%, to support manufacturing sites, suppliers and customers.
- Work Environment: Office work environment.
- Background Investigation / Drug Screen / US Person: Required.
Paligen Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value the unique skills and capabilities that our team members bring to our mission. We make all hiring and employment decisions based solely on individual qualifications, merit, and business needs. We strictly prohibit discrimination, ensuring a fair and objective selection process for all applicants.