Director, PMO

SES Space & Defense•Reston, VA

About The Position

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide. Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical. At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive program and project management experience, including at least 6 years managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, high-technology, government, or mission-critical programs.
Proven success managing a portfolio of complex, multi-million-dollar, multi-year technical programs with significant customer, financial, schedule, technical, operational, and delivery complexity.
Demonstrated accountability for program delivery, financial performance, customer commitments, schedule, risk, technical or operational execution, and corrective actions.
Experience leading, mentoring, and developing Program Managers or other program leadership professionals.
Strong financial acumen, including EVM, forecasting, margin management, EAC/ETC, budget ownership, revenue recognition, cash flow, and contract management.
Experience improving PMO governance, processes, tools, metrics, reporting, portfolio visibility, and program management maturity across multiple programs.
Experience leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors in a matrixed environment across engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, and technical functions.
Experience supporting strategic growth initiatives, capture, proposals, or new program development while maintaining strong post-award program execution capabilities.
Demonstrated strength in executive communication, customer engagement, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, risk management, change management, and organizational development.
Strong understanding of program and portfolio management methodologies and tools, including Agile, Waterfall, SAFe, MS Project, Gantt-based planning, and Microsoft 365.
Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field required

Nice To Haves

Certifications in program management (PMI), Scrum, and SAFe
Working knowledge of satellite communications systems, payloads, ground systems, space segment development, mission systems, or related aerospace and defense technologies.
Experience supporting Intelligence Community, national security, DoD, SATCOM, space, aerospace, or Government communications programs.
Experience with Costpoint and Salesforce
Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
Active U.S. Secret clearance or higher preferred.
master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead a diverse portfolio of programs spanning strategic initiatives, LEO services, and other mission-critical programs, with accountability for overall portfolio performance, execution, and customer outcomes.
Own full program/portfolio execution across scope, schedule, cost, financial performance, technical execution, service quality, risk, and customer commitments.
Provide executive leadership with clear visibility into portfolio health, financial and schedule performance, risks, issues, customer commitments, corrective actions, and emerging priorities.
Lead execution of strategic growth initiatives, including MEO-enabled programs supporting space data relay, hosted payloads, free-flyer missions, and other emerging space-enabled services.
Lead integrated, cross functional program teams spanning engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, product development, and other functional organizations.
Partner with business development and capture teams to support market development, strategic pursuits, capture activities, and proposal development.
Direct program execution across the full lifecycle, from contract award and program initiation through development, integration, deployment/launch, commissioning, and transition to operations.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Program Managers, establishing clear accountability for execution, financial discipline, customer commitments, and adherence to PMO standards.
Oversee the development, maintenance, and control of key program baselines, including Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), program management plans, and technical baselines.
Drive financial performance across the portfolio through disciplined management of budgets, forecasts, EAC/ETC, revenue, cash flow, margins, and financial recovery plans.
Establish and enforce rigorous program controls, including EVMS principles, integrated scheduling, risk and opportunity management, change and configuration control, performance reporting, program reviews, and audits.
Serve as customer/senior stakeholder interface, leading reviews, managing expectations, negotiating changes, resolving escalations, and communicating risks and performance.
Manage major subcontractors and partners, overseeing SOWs, milestones, performance, compliance, and risk mitigation.
Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, government regulations, export controls, and quality standards.
Strengthen PMO maturity by improving program management processes, tools, templates, metrics, reporting, governance, and portfolio-level visibility while institutionalizing lessons learned and repeatable best practices.