Program Director, North America

Gooch and Housego•Keene, NH

59d•Remote

About The Position

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years. ROLE The Program Director will lead and own key end-to-end programs (from capture, program definition, engineering, delivery, through to aftermarket and customer satisfaction) for G&H's North American defense, commercial space and related photonics/optical systems business. This role will require working flexibly in a fast-paced, evolving environment, coordinating across multiple sites, disciplines and functions (sales, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain), and interfacing with customers and executive leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering (or related field). Advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS) but not required.
Significant experience (10+ years) in program management / program directorship in an engineering-/project-based organization, ideally in aerospace, defense, commercial space or high-precision manufacturing sectors.
Demonstrated experience in program capture, proposal/contract interface, commercial/business-development collaboration, and full program lifecycle execution.
Proven track record working in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
Sales experience or strong customer-facing exposure.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness and ability to travel across North America frequently.
Experience in defense/commercial space environments is highly desirable.
Strong business acumen: able to translate technical/engineering issues into commercial impact.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on mindset: comfortable rolling up sleeves while operating at strategic/program level.
Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate and mitigate program risks.
Entrepreneurial and adaptable; thrives in a change-heavy environment.
Collaborative and influential across geographies and site locations.
Results-driven with strong record of on-time, on-budget, on-spec delivery.
Global mindset: works effectively with international teams.
Passion for photonics/optics/advanced technology.

Responsibilities

Lead the full lifecycle of assigned programs: program capture/definition, contract negotiation (in concert with sales), program planning and execution, delivery to customer, post-delivery support and customer relationship.
Serve as the primary internal and external program interface: act as the customer-facing executive sponsor for the program, engaging senior customer stakeholders, G&H site leadership, operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, and other functions.
Develop and maintain the program execution plan: schedule, milestones, deliverables, technical/engineering scope, budgets, resourcing, risk mitigation, quality & compliance (especially critical in A&D/space).
Monitor program performance: cost tracking, schedule adherence, technical performance, quality/reliability metrics, risk & issue log, corrective actions. Report regularly to the Global Head of Sales and other executive stakeholders on program status, forecasts, opportunities and threats.
Facilitate cross-functional teamwork across multiple G&H sites (engineering, manufacturing, test, supply chain) to ensure seamless program execution.
Travel across North America to customer and internal sites: customer engagement, program reviews, site visits, mitigation of issues, strengthening relationships, business development support.
Develop and deliver customer proposals, ensuring alignment between program execution plans, commercial commitments and compliance.
Drive continuous improvement: identify program execution lessons learned, best practices, capture synergies across programs, drive standardization and process optimization across sites.
Maintain strong oversight of contractual, compliance and regulatory obligations (especially relevant in defense/space markets).
Establish and maintain strong customer relationships at senior level to ensure long-term program success.