Director Program Finance

Repkon•Tampa, FL

2h•Onsite

About The Position

Paligen is dedicated to the advancement of novel manufacturing solutions in the commercial, defense, and aerospace industries. The Director Program Finance is a key financial leader responsible for overseeing the financial management, planning, and execution of programs across our business units, but primarily the Defense and Aerospace Division portfolio. This role partners closely with Program Management, Contracts, Supply Chain, Operations and other finance team members to ensure compliance with U.S. Government regulations, drive financial performance, and provide strategic insight to leadership. The Director leads a team of program finance analysts and ensures timely, accurate, and compliant reporting to both internal stakeholders and external customers. This leadership position requires a dynamic, collaborative, and compliance minded leader with a strong background in defense and aerospace programs. Extensive knowledge of financial management of all contract types, various Finance regulations, and the ability to create and lead a high-performance team are all essential for success in this role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required
10+ years of finance experience in defense/aerospace or government contracting
At least 5 years in program finance leadership
Proven track record managing financials for large, complex defense/aerospace programs
Experience with EVMS, program cost control, and government proposal support
In-depth knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and CAS
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to translate financial data into actionable insights
Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Deltek Costpoint)
Advanced Excel/financial modeling
Exceptional communication and leadership skills with ability to influence across functions
Background Investigation/Drug Screen/US Person: Required

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree preferred
MBA or CFA certification

Responsibilities

Lead development and oversight of program financial plans, budgets, and forecasts.
Monitor program performance through risk assessments, variance analysis, and potential earned value management (EVM), if necessary.
Ensure timely and accurate Estimates at Completion (EACs) and financial reporting.
Support program execution by aligning resources with contract deliverables and cost objectives.
Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and company financial policies.
Oversee internal and external reporting requirements, including monthly reviews and customer program reviews and reports.
Serve as primary interface with government auditors and external reviewers on program finance matters.
Maintain strong financial controls to support audit readiness and contractual compliance.
Build, develop, and inspire a high-performance team that acts with integrity, meets commitments, works collaboratively, drives continual improvement, and achieves goals.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration within the finance team.
Collaborate with internal departments, including program management, legal, finance, HR, BD, supply chain/contracts, and engineering, to develop finance strategies and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Implement and drive best practices, tools, and processes across the program finance function.
Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on program financial health and risk mitigation.