Director of Programs

GKN Aerospace Careers • Tallassee, AL

123d

About The Position

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career. We’re looking for a Program Director to serve as a key leader at our Tallassee, Alabama site, driving the success of a diverse portfolio of aircraft component production programs and playing a critical role in the growth and performance of our operations. In this high-visibility role, you’ll lead the Program Management Office (PMO), oversee execution across multiple defense programs, and serve as the primary customer interface. Your leadership will be essential to delivering excellence in cost, schedule, quality, and innovation, right from the heart of one of our most important manufacturing hubs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, Finance, Mathematics, or Business.
• 10+ years of complex program management and cross-functional leadership experience.
• Eligibility to work on programs subject to ITAR/EAR regulations.

Nice To Haves

• 10+ years of aerospace experience (military or industry).
• Proven success managing complex aerospace programs as a prime or major subcontractor.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with a focus on collaboration and empowerment.
• Advanced problem-solving abilities and proficiency in program management tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure flawless execution of all programs in your portfolio, meeting business case and contractual requirements.
• Lead and represent the PMO on the Site Leadership Team, coordinating cross-functional efforts.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the Tallassee customer community.
• Monitor program performance, track cost, schedule, and milestones, and report progress to internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in affordability, pricing, Zero Defects Manufacturing, and engineering design.
• Manage change and growth across the portfolio, including bid and proposal activities and contract negotiations.
• Define and execute the vision, strategy, and budget to meet sales, profit, quality, and delivery goals.
• Champion a positive, inclusive culture aligned with GKN’s Great Place to Work values.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + performance-based incentives
• Comprehensive benefits (health, 401(k), PTO, etc.)
• Leadership opportunities in a mission-critical industry
• A collaborative, innovation-driven culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees