Senior Director, Space Programs & Growth

Northrop Grumman; Virginia; On-site; USD 230,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays

PTO for vacation and/or personal time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Senior Director of Programs in Virginia to lead a portfolio of complex defense programs on-site with travel as needed. The role oversees program leadership, risk management, and strategic growth while interfacing with customers and executives.

Required are a Bachelor's degree and 12+ years in defense or aerospace program management, with a proven track record in leading diverse teams, shaping customer requirements, and guiding program execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of program management in defense or aerospace.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.
• Strong customer shaping and engagement capabilities.
• Proven track record in disciplined program execution and risk management.
• Ability to develop and lead PM teams with coaching and succession planning.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across executive levels.
• Proposal leadership experience.
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for a portfolio of complex programs, ensuring cost, schedule, technical, and quality objectives are met or exceeded.
• Drive disciplined program execution, risk management, and performance management across the portfolio.
• Lead and mentor a team of program managers, setting clear expectations, accountability, and development paths.
• Adherence to all internal processes, policies, and applicable industry standards.
• Shape and execute the growth strategy for the site's business portfolio, including identification, capture, and execution of new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Engineering, Operations, and other stakeholders to align capabilities and investments with customer needs and competitive positioning.
• Engage directly with customers and partners to strengthen relationships, understand emerging requirements, and position Northrop Grumman for long-term success.
• Provide indirect leadership to all supporting disciplines to ensure alignment with Operating Unit and Business Unit goals.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Customer shaping

Executive communication

Proposal leadership

Secret clearance

US citizenship

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in engineering or MBA

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Senior Director of Programs in Virginia to lead a portfolio of complex defense programs on-site with travel as needed. The role oversees program leadership, risk management, and strategic growth while interfacing with customers and executives.

Required are a Bachelor's degree and 12+ years in defense or aerospace program management, with a proven track record in leading diverse teams, shaping customer requirements, and guiding program execution.