Strategic PMO Director for Space & Defense

SES Space & Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense is seeking a senior program and portfolio leader to drive complex aerospace and defense programs. You’ll own portfolio performance, lead cross-functional teams, and elevate PMO standards across the organization.

You will mentor Program Managers, manage budgets and schedules, and coordinate with customers and executives to maintain strong risk management and governance. The role emphasizes delivering multi‑year, multi‑million-dollar programs with rigorous controls, continuous

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive program and project management experience across aerospace, defense, satellite, or mission-critical programs.
• Proven ability to manage multi-year, multi-million-dollar technical programs with high complexity.
• Experience mentoring program leaders and building strong PMO capabilities.
• Strong financial acumen, including EVM, forecasting, and margin management.
• Experience improving PMO governance, processes, metrics, and portfolio visibility.
• Experience leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors in a matrix environment.
• Experience supporting strategic growth, capture, proposals, or new program development.
• Demonstrated executive communication, stakeholder management, and risk management skills.
• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall, SAFe, MS Project, and Microsoft 365.

Responsibilities

• Lead a diverse portfolio of programs with accountability for overall performance, execution, and customer outcomes.
• Own full program/portfolio execution across scope, schedule, cost, financials, and commitments.
• Provide executive visibility into portfolio health, risks, and corrective actions.
• Lead strategic growth initiatives and cross-functional program teams spanning multiple functions.
• Direct program execution from contract award through deployment and transition to operations.
• Mentor and develop Program Managers, enforcing PMO standards and accountability.
• Oversee baselines (WBS, IMS, PM plans) and maintain program technical baselines.
• Drive financial performance, budgets, forecasts, revenue recognition, and margins.
• Establish rigorous program controls, EVMS, risk management, and performance reporting.
• Interface with customers and senior stakeholders, manage escalations, and negotiate changes.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Financial acumen

Executive communication

Risk management

PMO governance

MS Project

Microsoft 365

Agile

SAFe

Education

Bachelor’s degree + MBA preferred

Tools

Costpoint

Salesforce

MS Project

Microsoft 365

Job description

SES Space & Defense is seeking a senior program and portfolio leader to drive complex aerospace and defense programs. You’ll own portfolio performance, lead cross-functional teams, and elevate PMO standards across the organization.

You will mentor Program Managers, manage budgets and schedules, and coordinate with customers and executives to maintain strong risk management and governance. The role emphasizes delivering multi‑year, multi‑million-dollar programs with rigorous controls, continuous