Director Program & Proposal Management

Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation

Cincinnati (OH)

On-site

USD 150,000 - 230,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

Fairbanks Morse Defense is seeking a Director of Program & Proposal Management to provide strategic leadership for the PMO and Proposal Management teams. You will oversee program planning, budgeting, scheduling, and quality to meet customer and organizational goals.

You will mentor managers, drive continuous improvement, and align cross-functional teams on proposals and contracts within a defense/marine context.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
10+ years of program management experience leading complex programs in defense or marine industries.
Strong leadership and team management; ability to motivate across diverse teams.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of government contracting and compliance is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the PMO and Proposal Management.
Ensure programs and proposals are delivered on time, within budget, and with high quality.
Lead and mentor Program and Proposal Managers to deliver results.
Develop and implement best practices, processes, and tools for execution.
Collaborate with Sales and PMO to align scope, budgets, and schedules.
Oversee planning, execution, and delivery of all programs to meet requirements.
Establish and track KPIs (EAC, OTD, VOC, budget adherence, margins).
Manage transition from proposal to contract execution and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Program management tools

Government contracting

Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Engineering / Business)

Tools

Program management tools & methodologies

Job description

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling?

For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense, it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard.

When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers

About Federal Equipment Company (FEC):

Federal Equipment Company has been a leading supplier of marine deck machinery and specialized weapons and material handling systems. The company, now part of Fairbanks Morse Defense, is rapidly growing.

Director, Program & Proposal Management

Reports To:VP/GM, FEC

The Director of Program & Proposal Management will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational direction, and oversight to the Program Management Office (PMO) and Proposal Management . This role will ensure that all programs and proposals are delivered on time, within budget, and with the highest quality, meeting customer and organizational expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Development:

Responsible for creating and driving a strategic vision for the PMO and Proposal Management

Demonstrate strong leadership skills by mentoring and developing staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across teams.

Program Planning and Execution:

Establish and Deliver proposals supported with sound Basis-of-Estimate that are driven with facts and justification.

Lead and manage a team of Program and Proposal Managers to deliver high-quality results, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence in program delivery.

Develop and implement best practices, processes, and tools to ensure effective and efficient program execution.

Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of all programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and customer requirements.

Ensure programs effectively manage scope, budget, schedule, and quality to meet contractual obligations and customer satisfaction.

Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Establish and track KPIs to measure project success, including EAC (Estimate at Completion) accuracy, on-time delivery (OTD), customer satisfaction (VOC), budget adherence, and profit margins.

Provide regular updates to senior leadership on program performance, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:

Drive collaboration between the Sales and PMO teams to develop proposal plans, budgets, and schedules, ensuring accurate scope of work and alignment with profit and timeline objectives.

Manage the transition from proposal to contract execution, ensuring clear communication of requirements to all functional teams.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including customers, partners, and vendors.

Partner with internal functional departments to ensure resource allocation, risk management, and problem resolution across programs.

Change Agent and Continuous Improvement:

Lead change management initiatives to improve organizational processes, ensuring alignment with overall company goals and customer requirements.

Drive innovation by adopting and implementing advanced program management tools and methodologies to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.

Act as a critical leader in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence within the PMO and Proposal Management team.

Soft Skills and Interpersonal Effectiveness:

Possess excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build strong relationships across diverse teams and cultures.

Foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and mutual respect.

Compliance and Mentorship:

Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, standards, and contractual requirements.

Mentor and develop Program and Proposal Managers and other team members, providing guidance and support for their professional growth.

Mentor other team members, providing guidance and support for their professional growth.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

10+ years of experience in program management, with a proven track record of successfully leading complex programs in a defense or marine-related industry.