Director Programs - Maritime Patrol and Homeland Defense

Company: Sierra Nevada Corporation
Location: Englewood
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

As Director Programs you will be driving our strategic business operations for all programmatic aspects of our Maritime Patrol & Homeland Defense projects with specific focused responsibility on customer relationship, cost, schedule and technical planning, tracking and reporting, technical execution and ensuring overall program performance objectives are achieved. You will provide leadership, guidance, and oversight in all phases of business resource planning/tracking in coordination with other corporate entities, and build and lead an exceptional team to innovate, invent, implement, and deploy complex solutions in a mission-critical environment. You'll oversee process and procedure for assessing and mitigating program risk and ensure program issues and problems are identified, tracked and resolved. You'll be responsible for project/program status updates, proposal review and approval, and negotiations with project/program stakeholders to ensure enterprise initiatives meet cost, budget, and schedule constraints. As the Product Line director you will share your program management experience, skills, and best practices and to provide product line leadership for program management process, tools, and training in partnership with Corporate program process oversight and compliance teams. This role is the accountable for the profit and loss of the Product line and is responsible to drive program strategic plans and direction, leading change efforts, and focusing and motivating Program Managers to achieve established goals. As Director of the product line you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the development and implementation of the Program Management process, specifically related to the program management, cost, and schedule disciplines. You will develop and improve practice standards, conduct independent program assessments, oversee peer reviews to ensure proper application of integrated program management guidelines, and develop and lead an exceptional team of Integrated Program Managers and Program Finance members. The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries. Responsibilities: Lead strategic planning, execution, and management of aerospace and defense programs to ensure achievement of customer satisfaction, cost, and schedule objectives. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, acting as the main point of contact for program-related inquiries. Responsible for financial performance of the Product Line as the Profit and Loss leader Oversee and guide the development of technical planning, tracking, and reporting mechanisms to ensure successful program delivery. Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while ensuring issues are tracked and resolved efficiently. Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight in all phases of resource planning and allocation, in coordination with other corporate entities. Lead and mentor a high-performing team to foster innovation, develop new solutions, and enhance overall program performance. Monitor and control program budgets, expenditures, and resource allocation to optimize financial performance. Ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies. Present regular status updates, reports, and proposals to senior management and stakeholders. Negotiate contracts, agreements, and terms with suppliers, subcontractors, and customers to ensure favorable outcomes for the organization. Qualifications You Must Have: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, Finance or a related field Relevant experience may substitute for required education Thorough knowledge and understanding of program management, science, aerospace and/or engineering programs Prior experience leading a team of Program Managers and the programs they are managing; ability to recruit employees; assign, direct, and evaluate their work; and oversee career development, succession planning, performance management, coaching, mentoring, as well as holding people accountable Experience directing the preparation of proposals, business plans, specifications, and approves basis of estimates and rough order of magnitudes for potential pursuits and ensuring all resources such as engineering, manpower, production and facilities are available to support the program Demonstrated working knowledge of managing the cost, schedule and technical performance requirements of multiple programs through all phases from inception to completion Proven track-record developing, communicating and executing to meet financial forecasts Extensive experience with the development of tactical and strategic business growth strategy Responsible for high-level relationship management internally (executive leadership, peers, support functions, and subordinates) and external customers; Interact internally with leaders and customers on business matters and partners with functional leadership towards success and continuous improvement Responsible for customer satisfaction, maintaining customer communication, and the overall management of the customer relationship to determine needs, requirements and new business opportunities Ability to manage complex situations, delegate authority, lead and inspire your team, drive innovative thinking, instill collaboration, drive for success, challenge status quo and demonstrate ability to adapt to dynamic situations Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, strategic thinking, marketing, and literacy in the program management disciplines Familiarity with managing projects requiring Earned Value Management Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to tailor conversations to adapt to technical vs. non-technical audiences Proven ability to solve highly complex problems with significant business impact Qualifications We Prefer: Typically 10-12 years of relevant experience; 7 years demonstrated program management experience Previous ownership of P&L responsibilities Previous management experience that includes understanding in Financial Management, Business Operations, Strategic Planning, Contracts, Risk Management, and Proposal Development Ability to motivate others with a shared sense of vision or purpose. Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies Previous experience, familiarity and understanding of aircraft modifications, missionization, maintenance and operations. Previous with Department of War and/or Department of Homeland Security contracts and/or programs Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business Understanding of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARS) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) compliance Working knowledge of Program Management Institute Program Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and/or Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification Prior experience managing projects using Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), agile and or spiral development models Ability to lead Program Management process and tool improvement for the Business Unit Ability to establish centralized, coordinating body for program concerns, recommendations, and issues; developing recommended process improvements; facilitating opportunities with corporate Ability to establish new and further refining existing templates, tools, and guidelines for program documentation and execution Experience with ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2000 Policies and Processes At Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) we deliver customer-focused technology and best-of-breed integrations in the aerospace and defense sectors. SNC has been honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Learn more about SNC Essential Functions: Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment. Ability to work on a computer for extended periods. Strong hand/finger dexterity for computer tasks. May require occasional travel for training or meetings. This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs. Estimated Starting Salary Range: $192,613.86 - $264,844.06. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more . IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security 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. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use. Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances. SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team! SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

Keywords: Sierra Nevada Corporation, Denver , Director Programs - Maritime Patrol and Homeland Defense, Engineering , Englewood, Colorado