Director Programs - Integrated Data Solutions

Sierra Nevada Corporation • Herndon, VA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Programs will lead strategic business operations for key programmatic aspects at SNC. This role requires a visionary leader responsible for overseeing customer relationships, cost management, schedule adherence, technical planning, and execution. The Director Programs will ensure program performance objectives are achieved through meticulous tracking and reporting, risk assessment, and resolution of issues. This position involves close coordination with corporate entities, fostering innovation, and deploying complex solutions in a mission-critical environment. The incumbent will be responsible for providing program status updates, reviewing proposals, and negotiating with stakeholders to ensure that projects meet financial and timeline constraints. The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance or a related field
• Relevant experience may substitute for required education
• Typically 10-12+ years of relevant experience; 7+ years demonstrated program management experience
• An active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of program management, science, aerospace and/or engineering programs
• Background in managing space or space related programs including space vehicle design and manufacture, ground control software, payload design and management, or overall mission management
• Prior experience leading a team of Program Managers and the programs they are managing; ability to recruit employees; assign, direct, and evaluate their work; and oversee career development, succession planning, performance management, coaching, mentoring, as well as holding people accountable
• Experience directing the preparation of proposals, business plans, specifications, and approves basis of estimates and rough order of magnitudes for potential pursuits and ensuring all resources such as engineering, manpower, production and facilities are available to support the program
• Demonstrated working knowledge of managing the cost, schedule and technical performance requirements of multiple programs through all phases from inception to completion
• Proven track-record developing, communicating and executing to meet financial forecasts
• Extensive experience with the development of tactical and strategic business growth strategy
• Responsible for high-level relationship management internally (executive leadership, peers, support functions, and subordinates) and external customers; Interact internally with leaders and customers on business matters and partners with functional leadership towards success and continuous improvement
• Responsible for customer satisfaction, maintaining customer communication, and the overall management of the customer relationship to determine needs, requirements and new business opportunities
• Ability to manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo and demonstrate ability to adapt to dynamic situations
• Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, strategic thinking, marketing, and literacy in the program management disciplines
• Familiarity with managing projects requiring Earned Value Management
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to tailor conversations to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to solve highly complex problems with significant business impact
• U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.

Nice To Haves

• Previous ownership of P&L responsibilities
• Previous management experience that includes understanding in Financial Management, Business Operations, Strategic Planning, Contracts, Risk Management, and Proposal Development
• Ability to motivate others with a shared sense of vision or purpose.
• Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies
• Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business
• Understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance
• Working knowledge of Program Management Institute Program Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and/or Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification
• Prior experience managing projects using Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), agile and or spiral development models
• Ability to lead Program Management process and tool improvement for the Business Unit
• Ability to establish centralized, coordinating body for program concerns, recommendations, and issues; developing recommended process improvements; facilitating opportunities with corporate
• Ability to establish new and further refining existing templates, tools, and guidelines for program documentation and execution
• Experience with ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes
• Background in managing large data programs involving advanced algorithm development and employment including the use of AI/ML
• Ability to bridge engineering and business development to ensure high-level business requirements translate into technical execution strategies

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning, execution, and management of aerospace and defense programs to ensure achievement of customer satisfaction, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, acting as the main point of contact for program-related inquiries.
• Oversee and guide the development of technical planning, tracking, and reporting mechanisms to ensure successful program delivery.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while ensuring issues are tracked and resolved efficiently.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight in all phases of resource planning and allocation, in coordination with other corporate entities.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team to foster innovation, develop new solutions, and enhance overall program performance.
• Monitor and control program budgets, expenditures, and resource allocation to optimize financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies.
• Present regular status updates, reports, and proposals to senior management and stakeholders.
• Negotiate contracts, agreements, and terms with suppliers, subcontractors, and customers to ensure favorable outcomes for the organization.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision plans
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
• life insurance
• 3 weeks paid time off
• tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director