Program Planning & Operations Director

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 289,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) seeks an experienced Program Planning & Operations Director to lead planning, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of operational activities across the organization.

You will translate priorities into actionable plans, align resources to strategy, and drive performance across complex programs and teams. You will partner with program managers, technical teams, and admin functions to address high-priority challenges and develop solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Fifteen or more years of progressively responsible project or program administration experience, including at least nine years managing operations in an engineering or scientific environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in project planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, and performance reporting.
• Extensive experience identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex organizational and operational challenges.
• Experience developing and implementing operational plans, budgets, schedules, processes, and performance measures.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and communicate highly complex operational issues to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to make sound decisions involving significant organizational, financial, schedule, and resource considerations.
• Ability to work effectively with executives, program managers, technical teams, and shared-services organizations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, cross-functional environmen

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of operational plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Direct and coordinate operational activities to achieve business, financial, customer, and organizational objectives.
• Translate strategic priorities into practical, measurable actions and implementation plans.
• Drive the development and continuous improvement of efficient, integrated operational processes and shared management services.
• Serve as a key liaison among program and project management, technical teams, and administrative service departments.
• Oversee the development and implementation of operating procedures aligned with strategic business and administrative objectives.
• Evaluate cost and service structures, productivity measures, and delivery methods to identify improvement opportunities and achieve performance targets.
• Establish mechanisms to monitor progress, identify risks, and resolve issues in partnership with program managers, project teams, and administrative functions.
• Develop and implement solutions that support budget, schedule, quality, customer, and company objectives.
• Assess complex operational issues, communicate recommendations to all levels of management, and facilitate effective decision-making.
• Determine customer requirements and translate them into organizational plans and priorities.
• Lead the recruitment, retention, and development of management and professional talent needed to meet business objectives.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and other requirements.
• Promote a safe work environment in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Budgeting

Scheduling

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business administration, finance, or related field

MBA or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.

We are seeking an experienced Program Planning & Operations Director to lead the planning, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of operational activities across the organization. In this role, you will translate business priorities into actionable plans, align resources to strategic objectives, and drive operational performance across complex programs and teams.

You will partner with program and project managers, technical teams, and administrative functions to address high-priority challenges and develop solutions that support cost, schedule, quality, customer, and business objectives. This position offers the opportunity to influence organizational strategy, improve integrated business processes, and lead through subordinate management. In this role, you will help shape how complex programs are planned and executed, improve the way teams work together, and directly influence the organization’s operational and financial performance. Your leadership will help ensure that resources, processes, and priorities remain aligned with customer needs and strategic business goals.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of operational plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Direct and coordinate operational activities to achieve business, financial, customer, and organizational objectives.
• Translate strategic priorities into practical, measurable actions and implementation plans.
• Drive the development and continuous improvement of efficient, integrated operational processes and shared management services.
• Serve as a key liaison among program and project management, technical teams, and administrative service departments.
• Oversee the development and implementation of operating procedures aligned with strategic business and administrative objectives.
• Evaluate cost and service structures, productivity measures, and delivery methods to identify improvement opportunities and achieve performance targets.
• Establish mechanisms to monitor progress, identify risks, and resolve issues in partnership with program managers, project teams, and administrative functions.
• Develop and implement solutions that support budget, schedule, quality, customer, and company objectives.
• Assess complex operational issues, communicate recommendations to all levels of management, and facilitate effective decision-making.
• Determine customer requirements and translate them into organizational plans and priorities.
• Lead the recruitment, retention, and development of management and professional talent needed to meet business objectives.
• Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and other requirements.
• Promote a safe work environment in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Fifteen or more years of progressively responsible project or program administration experience, including at least nine years managing operations in an engineering or scientific environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in project planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, and performance reporting.
• Extensive experience identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex organizational and operational challenges.
• Experience developing and implementing operational plans, budgets, schedules, processes, and performance measures.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and communicate highly complex operational issues to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to make sound decisions involving significant organizational, financial, schedule, and resource considerations.
• Ability to work effectively with executives, program managers, technical teams, and shared-services organizations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, cross-functional environmen

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 155,370 - 289,320