Defense Division Director

James Fisher Technologies•Loveland, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

James Fisher Technologies (JFT) is a leading provider of remote solutions, specialty engineering, and technical services for hazardous environments. We get things done for the nuclear industry. Everyone at JFT has the chance to forge their career in an environment that values initiative, persistence, respect, curiosity, and passion. JFT is growing and looking for a Defense Division Director to join our team in Loveland, CO. JFT offers work from home flexibility and a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off. The anticipated closing date for this posting is 2/28/26 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The Division Director leads the strategic, commercial, and operational performance of JFT's Defense Division. This role oversees project execution, financial performance, organizational development, quality, and customer engagement across all squads and projects within the division. The Division Director is accountable for P&L performance and ensures successful execution consistent with JFT mission and values. Additionally, the Division Director serves as an Acting Senior Project Manager, leading select strategic or high-visibility projects within a designated Squad. This includes direct ownership of project scope, cost, schedule, and customer engagement while modeling best-in-class project delivery behaviors and mentorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical discipline required.
Minimum 12 years of progressive leadership experience in nuclear or hazardous industries with demonstrable ownership of business unit profitability and growth.
Advanced understanding of Profit & Loss responsibility, including forecasting, margin protection, indirect rate impacts, cost-of-quality, and working capital velocity.
Proven ability to manage multiple project portfolios as a commercial enterprise while balancing risk, prioritization, staffing, and delivery strategy to achieve business goals.
Expertise in cost estimating, schedule development, earned value management, and financial performance reporting at both the portfolio and project level.
Strong contract management and commercial negotiation background including strategic subcontractor engagement.
Demonstrated leadership experience growing capability, developing future leaders, and enabling scalable systems across business units.
Adept at developing multi-year strategic plans and business cases, including CapEx justification, operational scaling, and new market entry.
Skilled in identifying performance trends via quantitative metrics and leading corrective actions to maintain corporate and customer alignment.
Familiar with DOE and NRC regulatory structures, project requirements, and commercial execution factors unique to nuclear programs.
Strong executive presence, communication skills, and ability to represent the business during senior-level interactions with customers, stakeholders, and suppliers.
Proficient in project management and cost control tools including Microsoft Project and Excel.
Ability to travel up to 30% to support customer engagement, supplier qualification, and multi-facility production operations.
Commitment to nuclear safety culture, compliance frameworks, and Human Performance Improvement principles.
Ability to develop and implement strategic plans for the PMO.
This role requires routine access to restricted information, including but not limited to Export Controlled Information (ECI), Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI), Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Department of Energy Official Use Only (DOE OUO); and/or ITAR-controlled technical data. As required by applicable federal laws and regulations, candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and all offers of employment will be contingent on satisfying applicable licensing, training, and other requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or MBA preferred.
Primavera P6 experience is a plus.
PMP, Professional Engineer, or equivalent highly preferred.
Experience with engineered-to-order nuclear hardware, gloveboxes, manipulators, remote handling systems, or hot cell equipment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership for all division activities including project management, procurement, fabrication, integration, testing, subcontracted manufacturing, field execution, and overall delivery.
Manage division financial performance including revenue, gross margin, backlog, and cashflow.
Collaborate with business development to establish contract pipeline and timeframe for fulfillment requirements.
Serve as Senior Project Manager for key strategic projects while working alongside project controls to drive discipline, exposure management, and customer outcomes.
Oversee cost, schedule, scope, quality, and safety performance across the project portfolio using EVMS and other project control tools, while identifying and mitigating risks proactively.
Lead customer relationships with DOE, National Laboratories, utilities, commercial SMR developers, and major nuclear prime contractors.
Champion nuclear safety, NQA-1 quality culture, and regulatory compliance including adherence to DOE Orders, ASME Code, and NRC requirements.
Drive strategic growth initiatives aligned with JFT's long range plan including pursuit of FOAK/NOAK innovation programs.
Approve major contractual commitments including subcontracts, POs, pricing actions, cost-to-complete forecasts, and change orders.
Support executive-level financial forecasting and resource planning including hiring, workforce development, and succession planning.
Facilitate execution readiness including design, procurement, manufacturing, and testing reviews.
Ensure PMO discipline and governance including KPI tracking.
Drive standardization and continuous improvement in estimating, scheduling, subcontractor oversight, and reporting.
Represent JFT in executive-level stakeholder engagements, reviews, conferences, and regulatory forums.
Lead all aspects of project management including engineering, tooling, production, operations, administration, and subcontracts for complex projects.
Responsible for contract and contract change management, working with customers to define changes in scope and quantifying estimate and schedule impacts.
Develop and deliver project schedules and resource plans for project execution.
Manage and monitor project costs, report cost forecasts to management and deliver projects to established budget.
Authorize the issuance of contracts, purchase orders, change orders, and approve supplier invoices for payment.
Support sales activities including technical sales, proposal management, writing, and cost estimating.
Prepare weekly reports and other departmental projects as needed.
Develop project controls procedures.
Engage, monitor and control work performed by Subcontractors.
Investigate potential risks and implement corrective actions.