Position Summary:
Manages day-to-day operations in the Program Management Office (PMO) to ensure alignment between programs, projects, and organizational goals. Drives governance frameworks, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and mentors PMO teams to achieve operational excellence. Provides guidance on PMO processes and policies, supervises project management staff, and works closely with department leaders to define, prioritize, and execute projects and programs. Manages the performance of staff in moderately complex teams, serving as a first-level manager to ensure project and departmental milestones are achieved and budgets are maintained. Contributes to strategic decision-making within the functional area and assists in budget planning.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities:
Essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to:
Leadership and Management:
• Ensures project alignment with organizational strategies and objectives.
• Acts as a key advisor to executives, ensuring alignment with long-term goals.
• Champions project management processes and advocates for PMO capabilities.
• Leads, mentors, and fosters the development of a high-performing project management team.
• Establishes and implements guidelines for project/program management metrics.
• Regularly presents program metrics, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of program details.
• Takes responsibility for program success, focusing on key areas such as customer satisfaction, technical performance, on-time delivery, quality, and financial outcomes.
• Serves as the main point of contact for customers on program-related activities, including feedback and improvements.
Program Oversight:
• Oversees all phases of programs, from initiation through to completion.
• Manages the planning, execution, and successful delivery of new product introduction projects and ongoing program support.
• Develops and maintains a master program schedule, outlining project interdependencies while aligning with customer and business commitments.
• Ensures projects comply with relevant commercial, defense, government standards and specifications.
• Leads responses to RFQs and manages scope changes in contract or project, addressing internal or customer-driven changes impacting goals, costs, or timelines.
• Ensures all project managers adhere to established methodologies and best practices.
• Monitors project progress, identifies risks, and implements corrective actions as needed.
• Oversees the preparation of bids and proposals, ensuring sales and profitability targets are met or exceeded.
• Leads strategic partners and major suppliers, ensuring proper oversight of reviews and deliverables.
• Coordinates the development and management of the overall project plan and schedule, including tech transfer.
• Leads risk and opportunity management, resolving issues effectively.
Stakeholder Engagement:
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, such as R&D, marketing, operations, and finance, to ensure alignment on project goals and deliverables.
• Works with stakeholders to document project scope, deliverables, goals, risks, and success measures.
• Fosters strong relationships across project teams, customers, and vendors, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinates customer visits, project reviews, and requests to internal/external requests regarding project status, financial health, and performance.
• Build relationships in a matrix environment, remaining adaptable and maintaining a focus on long-term objectives.
Budget and Resource Management:
• Develops and manages project budgets, ensuring delivery within financial constraints while meeting customer and business expectations.
• Delivers program objectives within agreed-upon timelines, budgets, scope, and quality standards.
• Effectively allocates resources across projects to optimize performance and align with business goals.
• Ensures project teams have the resources they need to meet project goals successfully.
• Manages project budgets and staffing requirements efficiently.
Process Improvement:
• Continuously improves project management processes and procedures.
• Ensures compliance with project management standards and methodologies.
Reporting and Analysis:
• Provides regular updates to senior management and stakeholders on project progress, risks, and issues.
• Identifies, evaluates, and mitigates project risks.
• Develops and implements risk management plans.
• Ensures adherence to department processes and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
• Follows company rules and procedures.
Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of project management experience, including at least 3 years in a PMO leadership role.
• Professional certification in project management is highly preferred.
Qualifications:
• Proven experience in managing complex projects across multiple departments.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies.
• In-depth understanding of spacecraft design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing and operation principles.
• Extensive technical expertise in engineering principles, concepts, and practice, combined with advanced project management and leadership skills, including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating to meet established milestones.
• Exceptional team leadership and interpersonal skills, fostering enthusiasm and ensuring team success.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and balance multiple, shifting priorities for both self and program teams with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex technical issues and manage intricate technical activities effectively.
• Proficient in program management and business management fundamentals.
• Extensive knowledge of department functions and processes.
• Creative thinker with the ability to thrive in ambiguous situations and navigate complex trade spaces.
• Proved track record of managing large-scale projects across various industries and achieving successful outcomes.
• Ability to produce clear, high-quality technical documentation.
• Customer-focused, with the ability to work independently or collaboratively with leadership in a team environment.
• Uses analytical judgment within program parameters to drive decision-making.
• Proficient in office machinery and PC computers.
• Skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experienced in using project management and planning tools such as MS Project.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interface effectively with all levels of staff across various functional departments.
Training Requirements:
NA
Travel Requirements:
Periodic travel may be required to support project functions such as supplier visits, product testing, and technical customer meetings.
ITAR Requirements:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Physical Demands: (*)
The position requires that the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; stoop, and kneel. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Vision requirements include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment: (*)
This position will require a working environment mix comprised of office, shop floor, field and customer locations (both domestic and international). While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to static electricity; explosives in test conditions; fumes; airborne particles; outside weather conditions prevalent at the time and an air-conditioned and heated office. The noise level is normally moderate may be occasionally high.
*Note: Both the Physical Demand and Work Environment sections are required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
Pay Rate: $155,000 – $190,000