Director, PMO (Grade M13)

sesengin•Reston, VA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

In this role, you’ll lead the execution of complex, cross-functional programs across SES Space & Defense, ensuring major initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned to customer and business objectives. You’ll oversee a team of program and project managers while driving consistent program execution, financial discipline, executive-level reporting, and continuous improvement across the PMO. This role sits at the center of program delivery, connecting customers, engineering, operations, finance, contracts, supply chain, subcontractors, and senior leadership to ensure high-value programs move from planning through execution, launch, deployment, and operational transition.

Requirements

12+ years of progressive program/project management experience, including at least 6 years managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, high-technology, or government programs.
Proven success managing enterprise-level, multi-million-dollar, multi-year programs with significant customer, financial, schedule, technical, and delivery complexity.
Strong financial acumen, including EVM, forecasting, margin management, EAC/ETC, budget ownership, revenue recognition, and contract management.
Experience leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors in a matrixed environment across engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, and technical functions.
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.
Demonstrated strength in executive communication, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, risk management, change management, and organizational development.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of satellite communications systems, payloads, ground systems, space segment development, or related aerospace/defense technologies preferred.
Master's degree or MBA preferred.
PMP or other industry-recognized program management certification preferred; ability to obtain PMP within 6 months of assignment required.
ITIL certification above Foundation preferred.
Active U.S. Secret clearance or higher preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational leadership for complex programs from initial design through launch, deployment, and operational transition.
Own program performance across scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality, technical execution, and customer commitments.
Lead development and management of key program baselines, including Work Breakdown Structures, Integrated Master Schedules, program plans, and delivery milestones.
Manage program financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, EAC/ETC, revenue recognition, cash flow, margin performance, and recovery planning.
Serve as a primary customer and stakeholder interface, leading formal reviews, managing expectations, negotiating changes, and communicating program risks and progress.
Lead integrated program teams across engineering, systems engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, product development, and other cross-functional groups.
Manage major subcontractors, vendors, and partners, including SOW definition, milestone tracking, performance oversight, contractual compliance, and risk mitigation.
Establish and maintain disciplined risk, issue, opportunity, configuration control, and change management processes to protect program baseline integrity.
Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, government regulations, export controls, quality standards, CDRLs, data packages, and program documentation.
Mentor program managers and project leads while improving PMO tools, templates, processes, best practices, and lessons-learned discipline.