Program Management Director - Aerospace and Defense

KP Recruiting Group; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Leadership development

Job summary

KP Recruiting Group is seeking a senior program management leader to head the program management function across multiple business units in a highly regulated environment, such as Aerospace & Defense. The role involves establishing enterprise-level best practices, driving growth, and influencing profitability while partnering with executive leadership and customers.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of program management experience, PMP certification, and a proven ability to lead in a matrixed

Qualifications

• 10+ years of program management experience with leadership across multiple teams.
• Experience developing and implementing functional strategies and large-scale processes.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and influencing skills in a matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement program management strategies across multiple business units.
• Lead program management functions including senior PM professionals.
• Establish baselines aligned with cost, schedule, performance, and margin objectives.
• Standardize program management processes, tools, metrics, and operating practices.
• Build, mentor, and develop senior program management leadership.
• Create dashboards and performance metrics to measure program effectiveness.
• Identify underperforming programs and lead mitigation and recovery strategies.
• Drive consistency and accountability across a matrixed organization.
• Position program management as a strategic driver of growth and operating profit.
• Partner with customers and executive leadership.

Skills

Program management leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

PMP certification

Government contracting understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or Science

Job description

Are you a senior program management leader with a track record of building high-performing teams, improving execution, and managing complex programs in Aerospace & Defense or another highly regulated industry?

This is an opportunity to lead the Program Management function across multiple business units, establish enterprise-level best practices, and directly influence program performance, revenue growth, and operating profitability.

What You’ll Lead

• Develop and implement program management strategies, objectives, and best practices across multiple business units
• Lead program management functions across the division, including direct leadership of senior PM professionals
• Establish program baselines aligned with cost, schedule, performance, and margin objectives
• Standardize program management processes, tools, metrics, and operating practices
• Build, mentor, and develop senior program management leadership
• Create dashboards and performance metrics to measure program effectiveness
• Identify underperforming programs and lead mitigation and recovery strategies
• Drive consistency and accountability across a complex, matrixed organization
• Position program management as a strategic driver of growth, revenue, and operating profit
• Partner with customers and internal leadership at the executive level

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or related discipline
• 10+ years of program management experience with demonstrated leadership capability
• Proven experience developing functional strategies and implementing large-scale processes
• Strong leadership experience within a matrixed organization
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and influencing skills
• PMP certification or equivalent preferred/required
• Strong understanding of government and commercial contract environments
• Demonstrated success managing executive-level customer relationships
• Aerospace & Defense or other highly regulated industry experience strongly preferred

Why This Role Stands Out

• Opportunity to transform and standardize program management practices
• Direct influence over cost, schedule, performance, revenue, and profitability
• Build and mentor senior program management talent
• High visibility with executive leadership and customers
• Work within a high-reliability Aerospace & Defense environment
• Strong professional development and leadership opportunities
• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits
• 401(k) matching and additional financial benefits
• Tuition assistance, mentorship, and leadership development
• Flexible PTO, holidays, parental leave, and Friday afternoon flexibility

If you're a senior program management leader ready to take ownership of a multi-business portfolio and shape how complex aerospace and defense programs are executed, I'd love to connect.

#Hiring #ProgramManagement #ProgramManagementDirector #ProgramDirector #AerospaceJobs #DefenseJobs #AerospaceAndDefense #ProgramLeadership #ProjectManagement #PortfolioManagement #PMP #ProgramManagementJobs #ExecutiveLeadership #OperationsLeadership #GovernmentContracting #LeadershipJobs #EngineeringLeadership #VirginiaJobs #BlacksburgVA #DefenseIndustry