Director, V-BAT Middle East & Asia-Pacific Programs (R6512)

Shield AI; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 174,000 - 262,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers in delivering and sustaining unmanned aerial vehicle systems. This role will oversee international Direct Commercial Sales programs and ensure exceptional performance through rigorous program management.

You will drive budget, schedule, and stakeholder collaboration while shaping processes for timely, cost-efficient delivery and strong technical outcomes. Global travel is required.

Qualifications

• Experience managing Direct Commercial Sales / DoD programs.
• Proven ability to build and lead a program team.
• Deep expertise in project and program management.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Ability to manage long-term business objectives.
• Experience with scheduling tools like MS Project or Smartsheet.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to sustain and grow the Company’s Middle East & Asia-Pacific Direct Commercial Sales Programs.
• Manage the portfolio of programs to meet or exceed company Annual Operating Plan objectives.
• Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless execution of Program Management and team leadership.
• Shape/codify processes and procedures to collaborate, motivate, and manage stakeholders to deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
• Drive alignment between functions to ensure a holistic delivery of Shield AI’s commitments.
• Balance shifting customer priorities related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
• Guide initiation and sustainment of DCS contracts for Shield AI’s V-BAT systems.
• Lead the identification, development, and implementation of process improvements for DCS program management processes and tools.
• Provide hands-on management of projects/programs as needed while the program grows.
• Oversee customer relationships and act as the escalation point for programs and performance issues.
• Drive progress to meet budget, schedule, and scope requirements.
• Report on budget, resource, and project metrics.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Communication

Team mentoring

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Seeking a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers in the delivery and sustainment of transformative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead a team to sustain and grow the Company’s Middle East & Asia-Pacific Direct Commercial Sales Programs
• Manage the portfolio of programs to meet or exceed company Annual Operating Plan objectives
• Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless execution of Program Management and team leadership.
• Shape/codify processes and procedures to effectively collaborate, motivate, and manage relevant stakeholders required to successfully deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
• Constantly drive a healthy tension between all functions to ensure a holistic approach to delivering on Shield AI’s commitments.
• Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
• Guide the initiation and sustainment of DCS contracts for Shield AI’s V-BAT systems.
• Lead the identification, development, and implementation of process improvements for DCS program management processes and tools
• Provide hands‑on management of projects/programs as needed while the program grows
• Oversee customer relationships and act as the key escalation point for programs, projects, and operational performance issues
• Drive efforts to attain budget, schedule, and scope requirements
• Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics
• Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
• Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule
• Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources
• Hire and supervise a team of project and program managers as needed to support Shield AI’s rapid growth in the international sector
• Develop highly effective Program Managers responsible for planning, scheduling and controlling the activities of complex projects spanning multiple organizations
• Provide the necessary leadership and support to DCS project and program managers to manage projects in line with project management processes and associated policies and procedures
• Oversee the distribution, prioritization, quality and volume of the DCS Program Management team’s work
• Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well‑organized, well‑facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
• Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core
• Foster and facilitate collaboration and shared accountability for outcomes with Leadership
• Report directly to Shield AI’s Senior Director of Program Management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Program Management experience for Direct Commercial Sales / Foreign Military Sales / Department of Defense programs
• Proven experience building, growing, and leading an program team
• Deep expertise in project and program management
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed
• Ability to focus on long‑term business objectives
• Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a manner that is largely self‑directed
• Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Significant experience and excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability
• Expert understanding of complex project financials
• A demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others

$174,400 - $261,600 a year

Full‑time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part‑time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.