Program Development Manager, Strategic Inititiaves

Viasat, Inc. • Carlsbad, CA

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Program Development Manager to join our dynamic Strategic Initiatives team in Carlsbad, CA! This hybrid role offers the unique blend of working collaboratively within our Carlsbad office and the flexibility of hybrid work. Viasat’s Strategic Initiatives team partners with executive leadership to design and execute high-impact programs that drive global growth. In this fast-paced, highly unstructured role, you will bridge the gap between abstract strategy and execution, collaborating across business units and engineering domains to transform ideas into structured development efforts. You will immediately add value by managing critical business development programs, conducting rigorous analysis to guide investment and technology decisions, and crafting the business cases and delivery schedules that underpin major deal negotiations. As a Program Development Manager, you will enjoy direct access to senior leadership, who will frequently make major strategic decisions based on your team's analysis. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who excels at turning ambiguity into action. You will leverage your technical and project management expertise to deliver solutions across all facets of corporate strategy, thriving in an environment that demands critical thinking, creative problem-solving, high attention to detail, and sound strategic judgment.

Requirements

• 4+ years of program or product management experience at a top-tier technology company, preferably within the Satellite Communications industry.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Thorough knowledge of satellite and terminal systems, including associated end-to-end integration efforts, alongside a deep passion for technology and a comprehensive understanding of the product/service lifecycle.
• A foundational skillset for assessing strategic concepts using data-driven research, analysis, and financial valuation metrics.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven track record of finding creative solutions to highly complex problems.
• Masterful PowerPoint and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver concise, compelling explanations of complex business and engineering concepts to senior leadership.
• Proven proficiency in organizational agility and cross-team collaboration. Ability to build leadership confidence in program development plans and influence/align stakeholders across all levels of the enterprise.
• A self-starter mentality with a strong sense of accountability, high attention to detail, and a bias for action—identifying and executing what needs to be done independently.
• An over-achiever who is motivated by working on the front lines with senior executives in a fast-paced, rapidly growing, and unstructured environment while managing strict timelines.
• Comfortable and confident in a collaborative culture where new ideas are regularly debated, challenged, and refined before being presented to senior leadership.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a global workforce
• Ability to work both independently and as a team.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead program management for high-value business development and strategic efforts across multiple business areas and engineering domains.
• Deliver comprehensive solutions across all facets of corporate development, including identifying, evaluating, and executing strategic opportunities in both established and emerging markets.
• Manage the team’s responses to RFPs and RFIs, specifically focusing on complex deals like bulk capacity transactions, satellite infrastructure sales, and strategic partnerships.
• Liaise closely with engineering, business units, and key leaders across the enterprise to evaluate opportunities, build initial efforts, and implement domain-specific solutions that enhance deal value.
• Build rigorous business cases, delivery schedules, and financial/technical analyses (including make-vs-buy and go/no-go assessments) to guide investment, acquisition, and technology decisions.
• Create and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and resource estimates for key programs to ensure a seamless handoff to executing business units.
• Provide critical analysis and structured recommendations to senior leadership and key decision-makers who will rely on your insights for major strategic decisions.
• Provide general administrative and organizational support to streamline operations and ensure flawless execution across the Strategic Initiatives team.

Benefits

• range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered
• comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness

What This Job Offers

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