Director, Program Management

Safran S.A.; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Cabin in Costa Mesa, CA seeks a senior Program Management Director responsible for P&L and successful BU program execution. You will lead program managers, drive cost control, schedule adherence, and customer satisfaction, and provide leadership across multiple sites and stakeholders.

Ideal candidates bring a Bachelor's degree, 15+ years of program management experience, and strong communication, leadership and financial acumen, with PMP preferred. Travel up to 50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Typically requires 15+ years of program management experience.
• PMI PMP or equivalent certification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own P&L for the BU programs and ensure profitability.
• Lead and develop BU project/program managers.
• Establish and monitor IMS, schedules, and milestones.
• Coordinate program planning with cross-functional directors.
• Provide executive level program reviews and risk assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

Job description

Published 08.19.2026 Company : Safran Cabin Job field : Project management Location : Costa Mesa , California , United States Contract type : Permanent Contract duration : Full-time Required degree : Bachelor's Degree Required experience : More than 8 years Professional status : Professional, Engineer & Manager Spoken language(s) : English Fluent Salary range : $133,230 - $209,360Published 08.19.2026Job DescriptionHere, we craft excellence together. Your mission? Making the journey the most enjoyable part of the trip.Join our first-class team to reinvent in-flight experience.The Program Management Director is responsible for the profit and loss (P&L) of the business unit (BU) Projects/programs. These projects/programs maybe located at a single BU site or across multiple physical sites depending on the BU. The Program Management Director is responsible for ensuring quality, cost, schedule and technical objectives are met while maintaining customer satisfaction. This role has direct responsibility for the project/program managers assigned to the BU. The Program Management Director provides leadership and program management guidance to the BU program managers. This role is responsible for the coaching and development of the BU project/program managers. The Program Management Director may report to a Business Unit GM or Cabin Division Leader. The Program Management Director serves as the Customer(s) primary escalation point of contactSummary of Duties:• Responsibility, Authority and full Accountability, including P&L, for the successful execution and Customer Satisfaction of all BU Programs• Responsible for the overall BU program financial performance• Ensure the BU program Business Cases are properly maintained for the entire program life cycle• Monitor and control BU program Non Recurring Expenses (NRE)• Ensure BU programs are profitable• Ensure BU program managers implement strong Scope Control and Change Management• Review BU program financials and ensure the data is accurate and complete.• Assist BU program managers to determine root case & corrective actions for fiancé and schedule variances• Ensure BU program managers properly earn value management to development program activities• Ensure BU programs implement lean principle & root cause corrective actions to reduce variances impacting performance• Program bid, planning & control• Review and approve estimation of non-recurrent & recurring costs targets on programs• Review and approve BU program management plans• Ensure BU programs develop & maintain Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)• Ensure BU programs analyze and prioritize tasks on the Critical Path throughout the program life cycle• Support the S&OP meetings and coordinate BU program planning with the other BU functional directors• Ensure previous lessons learned are incorporated into BU program planning and control• Ensure BU programs have identify & properly manage program stakeholders (internal & external)• Ensure BU programs perform and maintain program risk & opportunity assessment (quantitative and qualitative)• Develop BU strategic plans to grow and extend the life of the BU programsJob RequirementsEducation: Bachelor's degree required.Experience: Typically requires 15 years of experience managing programs throughout the program life cycle. Expert knowledge of program management methodologies and proven ability to manage programs.Computer Skills: Proficient with MS Project, competent with MS Office programs.Other Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships, Strong leadership and organizational skills, ability to analyze & summarize information, strong financial acumenBusiness travel: Up to 50% is likely.Additional Preferred Skills: (not required)• Project Management certification (e.g. PMI PMP) is highly desirable.• Degree in Engineering preferredDescription: Senior-level position within field.But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)• Primary Point of Contact with customer over the entire program life cycle• Assist in the development of program negotiation plans, and ensure successful negotiation results• Generate executive level presentations, and conduct BU program progress reviews• Resolve customer issues that are escalated to the Director of Programs in a timely and professional manner• Support internal and customer milestone gate reviews ( e.g. PDR, CDR, PRR, etc)• Capture and communicate BU program management lessons learned• Successfully manages difficult or emotional customer situations• Oversee assigned Project & Program Managers• Build strong teams, and facilitate conflict resolution• Set BU program priorities and provide strategic guidance• Ensure program managers establish program governance, including program key performance indicators (KPIs). Establish method for capturing and reporting BU program KPIs• Assess Program manager skills and determine training needs. Provide coaching & mentoring to grow BU program manager skills• Facilitate conflict resolution and provide coaching/mentoring to BU project/program managers• Prepare and lead BU level program management meetings• Provide annual performance reviews for BU project/program managers• Serve as primary liaison with Executive Management• Prepare and present executive level program reviews• Provide the Voice of the Customer (VoC)• Implement flow down of “corporate directives” to IPT• Report roadblockCompany InformationSafran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.Safran Cabin is the world's No. 1 in aircraft interiors. Safran Cabin provides innovative, smart and sustainable cabin interiors, as well as advanced water and waste management systems.Here, you will develop your skills and grow within a community of experts who enrich your experience every day.Here, collaboration connects our teams across the globe.Did you know? We have probably already flown together!Would you like to join us? Learn more about Safran Cabin here.(Hyperlink: https://www.safran-group.com/en/companies/safran-cabin)Locate your future workplace1620 Sunflower Avenue CA 92626Costa MesaCalifornia United States