Director of Programs - Mission Systems

Job Title: Director of Programs - Mission Systems

Work Type: Onsite Location: Gilbert, AZ

Salary: $185,000 – $215,000

Overview

Our client, a federal contractor supporting U.S. Defense and homeland security missions, is seeking an experienced Director of Programs – C5ISR to lead the Program Management Office (PMO) and oversee the financial, operational, and execution performance of a portfolio focused on C5ISR border and perimeter surveillance programs.

The Director of Programs will lead approximately 8–15 programs and all Program Managers, ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, at required quality levels, and at targeted margins. This role also supports business development, proposals, and growth opportunities with existing customers and contracts.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing complex technology programs involving the design, integration, production, deployment, and sustainment of C4ISR/C5ISR, command-and-control, persistent surveillance, border security, or related mission systems.

Key Responsibilities

P&L & Business Leadership

• Own the program portfolio P&L, including revenue, margins, expenses, forecasting, and cash flow.
• Drive portfolio performance against financial, operational, schedule, quality, and customer objectives.
• Balance customer commitments, resources, organizational capacity, and program requirements.

PMO & Program Management Leadership

• Lead the Program Management Office and oversee the performance and development of all Program Managers.
• Establish effective PMO processes, governance, reporting, and operating standards.
• Resolve cross-program priorities, resource conflicts, and escalated execution issues.
• Build and develop a high-performing, scalable Program Management organization.

Business Development & Customer Growth

• Lead growth opportunities associated with ongoing programs and existing customers, including follow-on contracts, extensions, options, scope expansions, upgrades, and sustainment.
• Partner with Program Managers and Business Development to identify customer needs and support proposals and capture activities.
• Maintain strong relationships with government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and strategic partners.

Operational Leadership

• Align program commitments with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, Human Resources, and other supporting functions.
• Drive improvements in delivery predictability, quality, efficiency, and cost.
• Partner with company leadership on organizational growth, major opportunities, and resource planning.

Organizational Scope

Direct Reports: Program Managers and applicable PMO/Program Controls personnel.

The Director of Programs owns the program portfolio’s financial performance, PMO effectiveness, Program Manager development, portfolio risk, customer relationships, and growth opportunities associated with existing programs.

Program Managers remain accountable for the day-to-day execution of their individual programs, including schedules, budgets, customer coordination, requirements, risks, deliverables, and program-level performance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in defense, aerospace, homeland security, or related government technology environments involving technology development and production.
• Demonstrated experience leading a PMO and multiple Program Managers across a complex portfolio of programs or contracts.
• Proven P&L ownership with responsibility for revenue, program margin, expenses, forecasting, cash flow, and financial performance.

• Experience managing complex engineering, manufacturing, systems integration, deployment, and sustainment programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of the operational and financial considerations associated with designing, building, integrating, and deploying complex systems.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing Program Management organizations.
• Experience supporting business development, proposals, capture, follow-on opportunities, and growth associated with existing government customers and contracts.
• Strong financial, execution, communication, negotiation, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Experience working with government customers, prime contractors, subcontractors, and strategic partners.
• Must be able to work full-time on-site in Gilbert, AZ.
• Must be a US citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with C5ISR, border surveillance, persistent surveillance, perimeter security, ISR, or mission-critical security systems.
• Experience with radar, EO/IR, RF sensing, communications, networking, C2 software, AI/ML analytics, Counter-UAS, or autonomous systems.
• Experience supporting U.S. Department of War and/or Department of Homeland Security mission environments.
• Familiarity with FAR/DFARS and government acquisition processes.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification.
• Experience scaling a PMO within a high-growth technology or defense organization.
• Experience with ITAR/export-control requirements and cybersecurity requirements applicable to federal contractors.
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance.

Compensation

Salary for this position is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, the candidate’s experience, education, skills, leadership scope, and the specific requirements of the company’s programs and contracts.

Range: $185,000 – $215,000

Benefits

Eligible employees (30+ hours/week) may enroll in benefits starting the first of the month after hire. Offerings include:

• Multiple Medical, Dental, and Vision plan options
• Prescription coverage with mail-order option
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Life, and Voluntary Insurance
• 401(k) with John Hancock (eligible after 6 months)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness and Employee Discount programs
• Paid Time Off (2 weeks), 3 Sick Days (prorated), and Paid Holidays, including Winter Break (Dec 24–31)
• Semi-monthly payroll (10th & 25th)