Director Programs

Job Summary

Leonardo DRS Land Systems is seeking a Full time Director I Program Management for our Bridgeton, MO location.  They will be responsible for leading the Vehicle Protection System (VPS) line of business (LOB) for Land Systems – Platform Systems Integration business segment program management function. This includes full life cycle management (development, production, and sustainment) of the business segment.  This position ensures proper methods are followed to track program cost, schedules and performance across the business segment. This position will function at a medium level of complexity and independence while reporting to the Land Systems Vice President – Program Management.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for leading the line of business (LOB) and/or Company (CO) program management function. This includes full life cycle management (development, production, and sustainment) of the LOB and/or CO.
• Ensure proper methods are followed to track program cost, schedules and performance across LOB and/or CO.
• Track all program cost, schedules and performance against established program milestones; reporting the status to management stakeholders on a regular basis
• Develop and implement recovery plans for yellow and red programs (i.e. schedule, technical performance)
• Ensure program methodologies for the LOB and/or CO and the program management directives are followed
• Work closely with existing customers, and obtain feedback on the company’s performance
• Work closely with business development, marketing and sales to enhance the business portfolio
• May lead all meetings and the integrated product team (kick-off through project close)
• Manage inventory effectively
• Manage internal research and development programs within LOB and/or CO.
• Develop internal relationships with management stakeholders
• Manage Program Management development to include coaching, teaching, retaining, attracting, and mentoring

Job Responsibilities Part II

• Lead monthly program reviews for the Company or LOB
• Conduct program reviews that identify root-cause and corrective action as well as continuous improvement and financial performance
• Work closely with Business Development to provide future opportunities for existing customers and solutions for new customers
• Understand and implement lean and process improvement principles (i.e. Lean Six Sigma)
• Understand and develop methodologies that allow program managers to apply leading verses lagging indicators
• Develop processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risk throughout the program life cycle
• Support, communicate and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization

Qualifications

• Engineering or Business degree required. Master’s degree preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience.
• Certification in Program Management preferred (i.e. PMP or DAU level 3)
• Advanced knowledge of program management tools and procedures
• Leadership and management skills, particularly “influence management” and “conflict resolution”
• Significant experience throughout the program lifecycle from development through sustainment to include: proposal development, requirements decomposition, generation of system and subsystem statements of work and subcontracts, risk management, and continuous improvement efforts including implementation for cost reduction and performance improvement efforts
• Experience with earned value cost accounting and reporting; experience with metrics for assessing and reporting program progress, productivity and variance analysis
• Experience in finance, contracting, export regulations, engineering, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management
• Excellent customer interface skills
• Advanced problem solving skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Demonstrated success in managing manpower planning, project reviews, scheduling and budget control
• Must have a successful track record in managing complex aerospace/defense programs such as a prime or sub contractor to a domestic or foreign military organization
• Must have excellent leadership and oral and written communication skills
• Must have a portfolio of programs in which financial objectives (profit, cash flow, revenue, bookings) were achieved
• Experience with turnaround programs in which recovery was successful preferred