Global UAV Program Director - Europe & Africa (V-BAT)

Shield; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI seeks a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers delivering and sustaining UAV Direct Commercial Sales in Europe and Africa. You will drive flawless execution, shape processes, balance cost/schedule/tech priorities, and manage complex multi‑project programs across international markets.

You’ll hire, develop, and oversee PMs, manage customer relationships, and report to the Senior Director of Program Management. Willingness to travel internationally is required.

Qualifications

• Program Management experience with Aerospace and Defense programs.
• Proven ability to build, grow, and lead a 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.
• Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Significant experience and excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent leadership, time management, organization, and team management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability.
• Expert understanding of complex project financials.
• Demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, and being kind to others.

Responsibilities

• Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer mission through flawless execution of Program Management and team leadership.
• Shape and codify processes to collaborate, motivate, and manage stakeholders to deliver programs early, under budget, with strong technical performance.
• Drive a healthy tension between functions for a holistic delivery of Shield AI 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.
• Identify, develop, and implement process improvements for DCS program management processes and tools.
• Provide hands-on management of projects/programs as needed during growth.
• Oversee customer relationships and act as escalation point for programs and performance issues.
• Drive budget, schedule, scope attainment and metrics tracking/reporting.
• Complete critical path analyses to accelerate pace or mitigate risks.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive actions to stay on schedule.
• Partner with leadership to prioritize projects and allocate resources.
• Hire and supervise PMs to support Shield AI’s growth in the international sector.
• Develop Program Managers responsible for planning, scheduling and controlling multi‑organization projects.

Skills

Program management

Team leadership

A&D domain knowledge

Travel willingness

Strategic thinking

Scheduling tools

MS Office

Leadership

Communication

Financial acumen

Collaboration

Education

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Job description

Shield AI seeks a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers delivering and sustaining UAV Direct Commercial Sales in Europe and Africa. You will drive flawless execution, shape processes, balance cost/schedule/tech priorities, and manage complex multi‑project programs across international markets.

You’ll hire, develop, and oversee PMs, manage customer relationships, and report to the Senior Director of Program Management. Willingness to travel internationally is required.