Director of Program Management

Rock West Composites•San Diego, CA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Rock West Composites is seeking a Segment Director of Programs to lead program execution and customer success across a business segment serving space programs. This role provides strategic leadership for a team of Program Managers while owning segment performance across customer satisfaction, program execution, financial performance, and business growth. Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Executive Leadership, you'll ensure programs are delivered on schedule, within budget, and aligned with customer and business objectives. This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who thrives on building teams, developing customer relationships, driving operational excellence, and growing a business. The Director of Program Management provides strategic leadership for all program management activities within an assigned Business Segment, overseeing a team of Program Managers and ensuring successful execution of customer programs. This role is responsible for delivering programs that meet customer and business objectives related to scope, cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance while driving customer satisfaction, contract compliance, and operational excellence. The Director is accountable for segment financial performance, including forecasting, budgeting, resource planning, and profitability, while establishing program management best practices that support business growth and organizational objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline; or equivalent experience in advanced manufacturing.
10+ years of experience leading complex aerospace, defense, composites, or advanced manufacturing programs.
5+ years of leadership experience managing Program Managers or technical organizations.
Proven success managing customer programs, financial performance, and organizational growth.
Strong understanding of manufacturing, engineering, product development, and program execution.
Experience managing program budgets, forecasting, P&L, and strategic planning.
Strong understanding of customer contracts, scope management, and business operations.
Strategic thinker with exceptional business acumen and decision-making abilities.
Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
Strong customer relationship management and negotiation skills.
Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.
Demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence, business growth, and continuous improvement.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the company’s immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder) as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. 1158.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of composite materials, metallics, coatings, bonding, product development, testing, or related technologies preferred.

Responsibilities

Overall performance and profitability (P&L) of an assigned business segment
Leadership and development of the Program Management organization
Customer relationships, contract execution, and scope management
Program execution across cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance
Resource planning, forecasting, and business growth initiatives
Continuous improvement of program management processes and best practices
Provide executive oversight of customer programs from proposal through production and delivery.
Ensure programs achieve customer and business objectives for scope, cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.
Establish program priorities and allocate resources to support business objectives.
Develop, implement, and enforce program management policies, procedures, and best practices.
Provide technical guidance and executive support to critical programs as needed
Drive growth within existing customer accounts while supporting new business opportunities.
Own contract scope management across the business segment.
Guide customer engagement activities performed by Program Managers to ensure alignment with contractual commitments and business objectives.
Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to resolve issues, negotiate changes, and ensure long-term customer success.
Evaluate outsourcing opportunities and coordinate external resources to meet program cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
Own segment Profit & Loss (P&L) performance and achievement of financial objectives.
Lead forecasting activities including revenue, bookings, staffing, hiring, capital expenditures (CAPEX), IRAD investments, and operational capacity.
Monitor program financial performance and monthly job costs, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
Create functional strategies and operational plans that support enterprise growth and profitability.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Program Managers through hiring, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
Assign Program Managers to customer accounts and programs based on business priorities and organizational capacity.
Define roles, responsibilities, and departmental objectives while fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
Build and maintain a collaborative, high-performing Program Management organization.
Manages individual programs and other duties as assigned