VP Programs and Customer Success

Gradel Professional Search; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 240,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Gradel Professional Search is assisting a private equity-backed manufacturer of aerospace and defense components to recruit a Vice President of Programs who will lead the global Program Management organization from development through production and aftermarket support.

This executive interfaces with customers and senior leadership, standardizes processes, drives cost, schedule and quality, and builds a high-performing, cross-functional team to sustain growth and exceptional customer

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in aerospace & defense or other highly engineered manufacturing environments.
• Executive-level experience leading Program Management organizations supporting OEM, Tier 1, or defense customers.
• Strong understanding of product development, NPI, production launch, lifecycle program management, and customer-facing program execution.
• Experience leading global, cross-functional teams within matrixed manufacturing organizations.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, contract execution, risk management, and program governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global Program Management organization supporting aerospace & defense programs from development through production and aftermarket support.
• Establish standardized program management processes, governance, KPIs, and best practices across multiple locations.
• Drive alignment between engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance, commercial, and executive leadership to ensure consistent program execution.
• Serve as the executive point of contact for strategic customers, building long-term relationships and ensuring commitments are achieved.
• Drive program performance related to cost, schedule, quality, delivery, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead executive program reviews, customer reviews, risk management activities, and issue resolution.
• Partner with commercial leadership during new business pursuits, proposal reviews, contract transitions, and major customer initiatives.
• Develop portfolio management, forecasting, resource planning, and executive reporting processes that improve visibility and decision-making.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing Program Management organization while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Champion a program-driven culture that strengthens execution, communication, and customer confidence across the business.

Skills

Executive leadership

Program management

Cross-functional execution

Customer relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/Business or related)

MBA preferred

Job description

Our client is a private equity-backed manufacturer of high-precision aerospace & defense components, recognized for delivering complex, high-tolerance machining and engineered solutions for mission-critical applications. The organization is focused on strengthening operational execution, aligning its global footprint, and advancing a more disciplined, program-driven operating model. This is an opportunity to join an executive leadership team and play a key role in shaping strategy, organizational alignment, and long-term enterprise value.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking a Vice President of Programs to lead the strategic direction and execution of a global Program Management organization supporting complex aerospace & defense programs. This executive will serve as the primary interface between customers and the business, ensuring programs are executed on time, within budget, and aligned with customer expectations while driving operational excellence, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Reporting directly to executive leadership, this role will be responsible for standardizing program execution across the organization, strengthening cross-functional alignment, improving customer engagement, and establishing a disciplined Program Management organization capable of supporting continued business growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global Program Management organization supporting complex aerospace & defense programs from development through production and aftermarket support.
• Establish standardized program management processes, governance, KPIs, and best practices across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Drive alignment between engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance, commercial, and executive leadership to ensure consistent program execution.
• Serve as the executive point of contact for strategic customers, building long-term relationships while ensuring customer commitments are achieved.
• Drive program performance related to cost, schedule, quality, delivery, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead executive program reviews, customer reviews, risk management activities, and issue resolution.
• Partner with commercial leadership during new business pursuits, proposal reviews, contract transitions, and major customer initiatives.
• Develop portfolio management, forecasting, resource planning, and executive reporting processes that improve visibility and decision-making.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing Program Management organization while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Champion a program-driven culture that strengthens execution, communication, and customer confidence across the business.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Engineering, Business, or related technical discipline preferred.
• MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within aerospace & defense or other highly engineered manufacturing environments.
• Executive-level experience leading Program Management organizations supporting OEM, Tier 1, or defense customers.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational alignment, operational improvement, and cross-functional execution within complex manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of product development, NPI, production launch, lifecycle program management, and customer-facing program execution.
• Experience leading global, cross-functional teams within matrixed manufacturing organizations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing program performance, forecasting, budgets, margins, and profitability.
• Experience working directly with aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, and government customers.
• Working knowledge of AS9100, contract execution, risk management, and program governance.
• Exceptional executive communication, leadership, negotiation, and customer relationship management skills.

Why Join

• Executive leadership role with direct influence on company strategy and operational performance.
• Opportunity to build and lead a world-class Program Management organization.
• Key leadership position within a private equity-backed aerospace & defense manufacturer.
• High visibility with executive leadership, ownership, and strategic customers.
• Collaborative culture focused on operational excellence, accountability, and customer success.