Program Director

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory • Reston, VA

28d

About The Position

Overview: Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com . Job Description Summary: Program Director 2 leads cross-functional teams in executing projects/programs from initial studies to full-scale production and sustainment along with the pursuit of new business that enhances or introduces new solutions. The programs are of considerable complexity in terms of size, scope and execution risk. Job Description: Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for recruiting, retaining, developing, and supervising high-performing, diverse program management talent executing moderate to highly complex programs and proposal within the portfolio. Collaborate with leadership and across functions to identify new business opportunities, develop win strategies, oversee competitive captures, and ensure timely submission of compliant proposals to support current & future growth of the portfolio. Ensure program teams effectively plan, manage, and control all phases of the projects/programs from inception through completion, to include cost, schedule, and technical performance. Develop, implement, and update resource allocation plans. Work with functional organizations to effectively recruit, retain and develop key talent for the business. Implements project/program management policies, tailoring as necessary and permitted, and seeks to instill a continuous improvement mindset across the teams. Manage all phases of the business cycle in accordance with the company's policies and processes. Proactively report results and issues to senior leadership and cross functional organizations. Identify solutions and create action plans and monitor and measure outcomes. Ensures the project/program teams work closely with the cross functional support required to achieve program and business objectives Work with project/program teams to ensure they are using a robust opportunity, risk, and issue management process to identify, assess and apply appropriate actions. Establish strong customer partnerships and intimacy. Coach teams in balancing ongoing needs and expectations against plans, and working with customers to identify, shape, assess and bid follow-on and new business. As necessary, participate alongside assigned program manager in contract negotiations. Ensure project/program teams submit on-time and accurate deliverables and change management processes are diligently followed. Deploy appropriate quality control and quality assurance processes and ensure adherence to the Quality Management System and customer requirements.

Requirements

• Expert in the application of project/program management tools and processes such as Earned Value Management (EVMS), Integrated Master plan (IMP)/Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), Opportunity/Risk/Issue Management.
• Experience working government programs with direct customer interfaces.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Able to work with functional organizations in a matrixed environment to successfully execute projects/programs and achieve business goals.
• Demonstrated ability to implement best practices and continuous improvement across all phases of a program lifecycle.
• Ability to travel on an as needed basis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications
• Ability to be persuasive and a strong relationship builder.
• Possess excellent oral and written communications, presentation, and networking skills.
• Bachelor's degree in technical or business-related discipline.
• 10 years’ professional experience in project/program management in commercial or defense industry required.
• 5 years’ cross-functional management experience providing leadership guidance and staff oversight.
• Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
• Current in scope Top Secret security with SCI clearance is required.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for recruiting, retaining, developing, and supervising high-performing, diverse program management talent executing moderate to highly complex programs and proposal within the portfolio.
• Collaborate with leadership and across functions to identify new business opportunities, develop win strategies, oversee competitive captures, and ensure timely submission of compliant proposals to support current & future growth of the portfolio.
• Ensure program teams effectively plan, manage, and control all phases of the projects/programs from inception through completion, to include cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Develop, implement, and update resource allocation plans.
• Work with functional organizations to effectively recruit, retain and develop key talent for the business.
• Implements project/program management policies, tailoring as necessary and permitted, and seeks to instill a continuous improvement mindset across the teams.
• Manage all phases of the business cycle in accordance with the company's policies and processes.
• Proactively report results and issues to senior leadership and cross functional organizations.
• Identify solutions and create action plans and monitor and measure outcomes.
• Ensures the project/program teams work closely with the cross functional support required to achieve program and business objectives
• Work with project/program teams to ensure they are using a robust opportunity, risk, and issue management process to identify, assess and apply appropriate actions.
• Establish strong customer partnerships and intimacy.
• Coach teams in balancing ongoing needs and expectations against plans, and working with customers to identify, shape, assess and bid follow-on and new business.
• As necessary, participate alongside assigned program manager in contract negotiations.
• Ensure project/program teams submit on-time and accurate deliverables and change management processes are diligently followed.
• Deploy appropriate quality control and quality assurance processes and ensure adherence to the Quality Management System and customer requirements.

Benefits

• Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees