Head of Programs

Koala; Medicine Hat; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global defense and security firm is seeking a Head of Programs in Medicine Hat, Alberta. This role involves leading project delivery and program management, developing a high-performing team, and ensuring strategic alignment. Candidates should have significant experience in program management, leadership qualifications, and strong communication skills. A competitive salary and benefits package is included.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Health and wellness spending accounts

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience of program and project management (5 years+).
• Experience in a business leadership role.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, execution, and governance of programs.
• Lead and deliver selected strategic programs and projects.
• Develop and implement project reporting frameworks.

Skills

Strong knowledge of Program and Project Management disciplines

Strong leadership skills

Strong understanding of engineering processes

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Program Management or related discipline

Project management certified (PMP)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite including Project

Job description

Head of Programs – QinetiQ Target Systems Canada (QTSC)

Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

Type : Full-Time | Permanent

Be part of something extraordinary.

QinetiQ Canada is hiring a Head of Programs to lead project and program delivery within our Medicine Hat operations. This is an exciting leadership opportunity to join a global defence and security organization that values innovation, integrity, and impact.

As Head of Programs, you’ll oversee the planning, execution, and governance of programs that help enable, assure, and protect our customers’ missions. You will help build and lead a team of high-performing project and program managers and work cross-functionally to ensure delivery excellence and alignment with strategic objectives.

Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

Our competitive employee offering framework supports the purpose, values, and behaviours that we take pride in. This framework includes rewarding for performance, safety & wellbeing, learning & development, responsibility & sustainability, adaptability & flexibility, and diversity & inclusion. Our people are critical to our success, so it is vital that we create a workplace that is inclusive; where our differences are not only embraced but make us stronger. Read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture here Diversity & Inclusion.

As part of the QinetiQ team, you play a critical role in what makes our company a great place to work. So, it is important that working with us is inspiring, that you have the opportunity to realize your full potential and feel recognized for your contribution. You’ll receive a competitive salary and benefits package : our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of employee offerings that we provide begin with a competitive benefits package, extended health spending account, an additional health and wellness spending account, TFSA / RRSP matching, an employee referral program, annual salary review, a flexible working environment and much more.

About QinetiQ

We offer our customers world-class expertise in advice, services (particularly test and evaluation) and innovative technology-based products. We deploy our scientific and technological knowledge, proven research capabilities and unique, purpose-built facilities to provide both services and products that meet the needs of a wide range of global customers. We operate primarily in the defence, security, and critical national infrastructure markets.

QinetiQ is a company of over 6,000 people dedicated to being on the side of their customers. They are pragmatic and hugely experienced, looking always for enterprising, agile ways to create real benefit and added value. They are also natural collaborators, adept at making vital connections through forging industry partnerships and harnessing the best talents within the supply chain. It is these qualities, demonstrated every day by our employees, that mean QinetiQ can be trusted as a partner to enable, assure, and protect our customers' interests.

QinetiQ manages and operates extensive testing and evaluation capabilities for air, land, sea, and target systems. We collaborate closely and responsively to give defence departments, industry customers and academia a competitive edge through the safe and secure conduct of operational and tactical training exercises that combine both real world and simulated events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

The Head of Programs will be responsible to develop and lead the Program and Project Management Function within QTSC, ensuring all projects are clearly identified, reported, and delivered to the required schedule / time, cost and quality standards, and ensuring that the business has the required resources (including people, process and tools) to effectively and consistently deliver the project portfolio. The project portfolio will include multiple routine to complex customer and internal development-based projects.

• Leadership of QTSC Programs discipline and line management of a small team of Program and Project Managers
• Personally lead and deliver selected strategic programs and projects as required.
• Delivery of project outcomes to agreed baseline (scope, quality, schedule / time, cost, risk, and objectives) with appropriate governance, assurance and reporting on all activities.
• Development, implementation, maintenance, and governance of program management processes embedded in local procedures, aligned with the Group Project Lifecycle Framework (PLF) and applicable Sector P3M Excellence Functional guidance.
• Ensuring team members operate in line with the QTSC, Sector and Group level processes.
• Develop and implement consistent project reporting.
• Ensure effective and efficient project portfolio planning and integration by partnering with the Customer Accounts team and technical functions to ensure that there are clear lines of responsibility and accountability for each project.
• Development and maintenance of positive engagement with customers, partners, suppliers and other parts of the Sector and QinetiQ Group.
• Develop detailed project plans, ensuring resource availability and allocation and delivery every project on time within budget and scope.
• Assist with Engineering and Operations Teams, where appropriate, to ensure timescales and resources are planned in detail for the effective prototyping, process validation and transfer of products from development to production.
• Resolving conflict, including prioritization calls, within the program and collaborating across the company.
• Leading, developing and embedding continuous improvement in the programs function, as agreed with the Managing Director (as required).
• Partner with QTSC Managers to review and ensure total project team resource demand is appropriately planned and prioritized to support the project portfolio and delivery requirements.
• Regularly update financial forecasts to ensure latest project status is reflected in business level forecasts.
• Support the business winning teams with bidding to ensure that projects have an executable plan at the point prior to bid release.
• Own the relationship on behalf of QTSC with Sector and Group Program Functions ensuring that QTSC is aligned with wider QinetiQ approaches and initiatives.

Leadership

Acts as a role model in demonstrating commitment to QinetiQ values and behaviours.

Collaborates effectively with other functions both within QTSC and across the wider Group

Communicates frequently and clearly with team members at all levels.

Leads and drives employee engagement.

Identifies key drivers to business performance and leads cross-functional teams to address opportunities and risks.

Clearly articulates business objectives to all levels of the organization and ensures Functions have plans in place to fulfill the business growth need.

Provides clear input to support the creation of forecasts, budgets and the ISBP

Supports and promotes a safety centric culture.

Acts and operates with a global mindset.

Key Capabilities / Knowledge

Strong knowledge of Program and Project Management disciplines

Strong understanding of engineering processes and product development

Strong leadership skills. Capable of leading own department and the wider business as required.

Familiarity with change management principles and leading through transformation.

Ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Open, honest, enthusiastic team player

Drive and determination to achieve successful & timely delivery.

Ability to work flexibly to meet critical business timescales.

Tackling low-level problems with appreciation of high-level implications

Strong knowledge of Health and Safety

Effective understanding of the Defence Industry and Customer / market needs (highly desirable)

Knowledge of uncrewed systems (desirable)

Effective all round technical background (desirable)

Comfortable with both large and small business cultures

Skilled user of Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Project & Planning

Understanding of commercial contracts, bid processes, and business case development (desirable).

Education / Work Experience and Requirements :

Essential :

Significant experience of program and project management (5 years +)

Experience in a business leadership role.

Project management certified (PMP) (or equivalent)

Leadership qualifications (or equivalent)

Computer proficiency (Document Management Software, MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook)

Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop multidisciplinary teams, including direct line management.

Experience implementing governance structures, project reporting frameworks, and risk management practices.

Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, tracking, and cost control.

Ability to travel as required.

Eligible to obtain and maintain required security clearance.

Additional desirable assets would include :

Experience in Defence, Aerospace, Technology, or similarly complex regulated industries.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Program Management or a related discipline (Project Management, Electronics Technologist / Engineer, Mechanical Technologist / Engineer)

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