Director of Program Management

Overview

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is a global and diverse company serving the defense, federal, and commercial markets with innovative solutions for the ground tactical, airborne and avionics, naval/maritime, and public safety and security domains. In addition to mission critical communication systems, the company provides helmet mounted displays and motion tracking technologies; SATCOM terminals; advanced sonar systems; surveillance, and simulation; and data protection solutions. Furthermore, the company serves as a gateway for technology leveraging Thales-wide solutions such as combat management systems; naval, airborne, and ground ISR; and electronic warfare to address U.S. requirements. 

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. seeks an experienced Director of Program Management to help lead our helmet-mounted display and motion tracking business in Aurora, Illinois.  This position reports directly to the VP of Program Management, operates in a matrix organization, and leads the Aurora program management team.  This position plays a critical role in the business’s leadership team guiding the business growth, interfacing with our established customer base, and interacting on a regular basis with inter/intra-company disciplines including business development, contracts, engineering, manufacturing, and customer service. 

Top Benefits 

• Competitive Salary
• Yearly Incentive Bonus Program
• Generous 401(k) program  - up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave
• Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave
• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)

Responsibilities

• Leadership of a multi-disciplined program management department.  Accountable for all aspects of assigned portfolio of programs, including but not limited to: execution (cost, schedule, and technical performance), production, quality, sustainment, and customer engagement, ensuring program commitments are met.
• Collaborate with business leads, project leads, and engineering management to resolve program issues, coordinating resources, and managing design activities.
• Participate and/or support product development reviews, project planning, proposal and bid generation, and product requirements generation.
• Identifies opportunities to maximize revenue and assesses risk problem areas while supporting development of mitigation and recovery plans with least impact to business and customer objectives.
• This position carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's operating policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities includes operating budgets, workforce planning, interviewing, hiring, training and developing employees; planning, assigning and directing work; performance appraisals, rewarding and providing for employee discipline when required; addressing complaints and resolving problems.  Must be able to create a positive environment and work with staff to develop and achieve strategic objectives.  High performance feedback, and active mentoring and development of staff is a critical element of this position.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• U.S. Citizenship required/Ability to obtain and maintain a US Secret Security Clearance upon hire.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical or business-related discipline.
• 10 years program management experience in the aerospace or avionics markets; experience with US DoD acquisition programs preferred.
• 5 years of functional management - experience leading technical and/or program teams through all phases of the product lifecycle.
• Experience leading personnel who perform the design, development, production, and sustainment of technical systems/products.
• Ability to bring leaders and teams together to drive business operations, in alignment of longer-term strategic growth vision and objectives.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and motivate individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences in pursuit of common objectives.
• Strong bid/proposal management skills.  Adapt bids across multiple design/build prime and subcontract structures.
• Ability to meet tight timelines.
• Familiarity working with ITAR preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience presenting to senior leaders and customers.
• Ability to operate at a high ethical standard of practice including compliance with all company procedures.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills with the ability to achieve results through others in an organization that supports defense and commercial markets.
• Ability to travel 20% of the time domestically and internationally.
• Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values. 

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. Thales is an E-Verify employer.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, age or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please call Human Resources at 240-864-7630.

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