Director - Proving Grounds - International Motors

International Motors•New Carlisle, IN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Proving Grounds & Test Operations, is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational excellence, and financial performance of the company's primary proving grounds and satellite test facilities supporting the verification and validation of commercial vehicle products. This role oversees all facility operations, testing infrastructure, fleet management, safety, regulatory compliance, staffing, and capital planning to ensure world-class support for product development, certification, and vehicle validation activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and at least 11 years of operations management experience
At least 6 years of management experience
OR Master's degree and at least 9 years of operations management experience
At least 6 years of management experience
OR At least 14 years of operations management experience
At least 6 years of management experience
Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States.
We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for a world-class proving ground and four satellite test facilities supporting next-generation vehicle development.
Drive strategic investments in testing capabilities, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
Foster a culture of safety, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Champion a best-in-class safety culture across one of the industry's most advanced testing environments.
Ensure quality systems and test capabilities support certification, durability, powertrain, and advanced technology validation.
Oversee future-ready operations supporting electrification, autonomy, connectivity, and evolving regulatory requirements.
Manage operating and capital strategy across a premier vehicle validation network.
Oversee investments that expand capabilities, accelerate innovation, and improve performance.
Develop long-term infrastructure and technology roadmaps supporting future vehicle programs.
Influence the testing experience for engineering teams and external customers.
Manage capacity planning, resource allocation, and operational readiness across multiple sites.
Drive faster product development through world-class execution and customer-focused service.
Influence a fleet of approximately 350 test vehicles supporting critical development and validation programs.
Manage fleet strategy, logistics, maintenance, and lifecycle planning across a multi-site network.
Drive continuous improvement in fleet availability, reliability, utilization, and cost performance.
Deliver a high-performing driver operations organization supporting year-round testing activities.
Develop workforce strategies that ensure the right talent, capacity, and expertise are in place.
Ensure operational readiness across key testing locations throughout North America.
Build high-performing teams ready to support today's testing needs and tomorrow's technologies.
Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, learning, and leadership development.
Build organizational capability through succession planning, mentoring, and talent growth.
Influence the reputation of one of the industry's premier validation and testing organizations.
Build strategic partnerships with community leaders, economic development organizations, and regulatory stakeholders.
Drive community engagement that strengthens trust, visibility, and long-term growth.
Drive partnerships with municipalities, government agencies, and regulatory stakeholders that enable future growth.
Develop real estate, facility, and infrastructure strategies supporting expansion and operational capability.
Oversee site acquisition, development, and investment decisions across a growing testing network.