Director, Program Management Europe and Africa V-BAT Programs

Shield AI's mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

We are seeking a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers in the delivery and sustainment of transformative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system Direct Commercial Sales programs in the Europe and Africa markets.

Responsibilities

• Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user's mission through flawless execution of Program Management and team leadership.
• Shape/codify processes and procedures to effectively collaborate, motivate, and manage relevant stakeholders required to successfully deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
• Constantly drive a healthy tension between all functions to ensure a holistic approach to delivering on Shield AI's commitments.
• Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priorities related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
• Guide the initiation and sustainment of DCS contracts for Shield AI's V-BAT systems.
• Lead the identification, development, and implementation of process improvements for DCS program management processes and tools.
• Provide hands-on management of projects/programs as needed while the program grows.
• Oversee customer relationships and act as the key escalation point for programs, projects, and operational performance issues.
• Drive efforts to attain budget, schedule, and scope requirements.
• Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics.
• Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks.
• Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule.
• Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources.
• Hire and supervise a team of project and program managers as needed to support Shield AI's rapid growth in the international sector.
• Develop highly effective Program Managers responsible for planning, scheduling, and controlling the activities of complex projects spanning multiple organizations.
• Provide the necessary leadership and support to DCS project and program managers to manage projects in line with project management processes and associated policies and procedures.
• Oversee the distribution, prioritization, quality, and volume of the DCS Program Management team's work.
• Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow-up activities.
• Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core.
• Foster and facilitate collaboration and shared accountability for outcomes with Leadership.
• Report directly to Shield AI's Senior Director of Program Management.

Required Qualifications

• Program Management experience with Aerospace and Defense programs.
• Proven experience building, growing, and leading a program team.
• Deep expertise in project and program management.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed.
• Ability to focus on long-term business objectives.
• Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a manner that is largely self-directed.
• Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Significant experience and excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability.
• Expert understanding of complex project financials.
• A demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing dynamic aircraft demonstrations in an international environment.
• Experience in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Training, logistics, operations, and maintenance experience.
• Master's Degree in Business Administration.