Vice President Programs

Sierra Nevada Corporation•Hagerstown, MD

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vice President Programs will provide executive leadership and strategic direction for a portfolio of programs, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and customer requirements. This role encompasses full Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility, cross-functional collaboration, and oversight of program execution from inception through completion. The VP Programs will lead efforts in program management, fostering innovation, and driving business growth, while maintaining a consistent execution cadence. This executive role demands visibility, accessibility, and the ability to convey a clear vision to all levels of the organization. As leaders of SNC, we commit to embodying the spirit of One SNC by working as a unified, collaborative team to drive innovation and growth. Guided by our core values, we will break down silos, foster cross-functional partnerships, and lead with a shared vision. As an executive of SNC, we will leverage our collective strengths to deliver on our customers most critical missions, building a stronger, more integrated organization. By embracing this mindset together, we will drive SNC toward sustained success, transformative growth, and a lasting legacy of excellence. 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 Business Management, Finance, Engineering or a related field
Typically 20+ years of relevant experience; 15+ years demonstrated program management experience; 15+ years in a supervisory or management capacity; 15+ years direct work experience in engineering or program management of aerospace/defense programs
Relevant experience may substitute for required education
Strong program management execution skills, results driven, and ability to hold team accountable for end results, setting appropriate milestones along the way to validate progress
Solid leadership, communication, motivation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage programs that will include working with individuals with varying disciplines, backgrounds and experience levels
Proven track record of successful, innovative leadership and delivery of performance results in complex program execution; strong implementation skills to ensure programs and policies support business objectives and initiatives
Proven relationships with growth results with prior DoD customers and mission sets.
Prior experience with ISR aircraft modification.
Prior experience leading capture/business development strategy for aerospace & defense programs, foreign military sales (FMS) or direct commercial sales with a track record of winning complex, competitive bids and delivering annual bookings against plan.
Must possess strong human relation skills to select, develop, coach, mentor, discipline and reward employees; possess well-developed interpersonal skills to manage, lead, and direct; ability to deal effectively with people and resolve conflicts and identify solutions
Demonstrated superior leadership outcomes in the areas of leading self, leading others, and leading an organization
Must be goal-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently
Ability to organize and prioritize daily work, including tracking and managing large programs, and see programs to completion
Familiarity with managing projects requiring Earned Value Management (EVM)
Must be able to understand the needs of the business for which development work is being performed
Ability to use insight of the organization's internal and external business environment to improve outcomes that affect business/account; proven ability to drive positive change with continuous improvement
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including but not limited to the ability to present ideas, proposals, and results to business segment leaders and to internal and external customers
Strong interpersonal and influence skills to cultivate relationships, facilitate negotiations, and build partnerships with customers
Ability to publicly represent company initiatives with internal and external clients in sensitive and highly visible circumstances
Strong strategic management, planning, and analytical skills for defining and framing initiatives for current and potential clients; ability to analyze financial and cost data and develop conclusions and recommendations
Must possess general understanding of how corporate policies, procedures, practices and processes relate to the associated business unit/area and internal and external customers
Demonstrated success in managing indirect budgets
Shows strong decision-making skills by clearly stating the BLUF (bottom line up front), highlighting what matters most, simplifying complex information, & making timely, well-reasoned decisions that drive the biggest impact (80/20).
Active U.S. Secret Clearance
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.
Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, management or related field
Advanced skills in assessing external competition by gathering data from multiple, often disparate, qualitative, and quantitative sources and synthesizing it into meaningful reports and presentations
Understanding of growth and profit objectives
Demonstrated ability to shape project/program management vision and strategic direction for a major segment of the technology business within the organization, collaborate with industry partners to support the vision and drive results, and create strategies to establish business in new markets or in current accounts
Past responsibility for integration of consistent program management methodologies and terminology
Demonstrated high level of integrity and personal responsibility
Demonstrated problem-solving skills under resource constraints and time pressure with the ability to find resolutions
Active Top Secret Clearance preferred

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for aerospace and defense programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and customer needs.
Oversee the financial performance of programs, including full P&L responsibility, budgeting, and cost management.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Program Management, Engineering, Operations, and other support functions to ensure consistency and scalability.
Guide the overall execution of programs, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and technical requirements.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers, stakeholders, and partners.
Build Executive relationships and regular program rhythms to increase revenue within the existing contract base while protecting performance and compliance.
Lead major program development efforts, from initial concept and proposal through execution and delivery.
Drive transformation and growth initiatives, maintaining a focus on execution and operational excellence.
Communicate and convey a clear vision for the organization, ensuring that all team members understand and are aligned with strategic objectives.
Drive multi-year growth strategy by setting clear portfolio objectives, establishing booking targets and guiding market, account and campaign plans that expand presence in priority customer missions.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations, standards, and company policies.
Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership and stakeholders, highlighting program status, risks, and opportunities.