About the role
We are looking for an experienced program management leader to establish and head our Program Management Office (PMO). In this senior leadership role, you will build and drive a high-performing PMO function, overseeing A dedicated team of project managers, and ensuring consistent, disciplined delivery of our aerospace programs. You will be the organizational hub for program governance, portfolio visibility, risk management, and delivery excellence — partnering closely with engineering, operations, supply chain, and executive leadership to keep complex programs on track and aligned with business objectives.
Key responsibilities
- Establish, lead, and continuously mature the PMO function — defining standards, processes, tools, and governance frameworks for the organization's program portfolio.
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of project managers, fostering accountability, professional development, and high performance.
- Own the program portfolio governance model: integrated master schedules (IMS), milestone tracking, earned value management (EVM), resource planning, and executive dashboards.
- Drive consistent program delivery across the portfolio — monitoring cost, schedule, and scope performance and proactively escalating risks and issues.
- Establish and enforce PMO standards and best practices aligned with aerospace quality requirements (AS9100) and program management frameworks (PMI, PRINCE2, or equivalent).
- Lead portfolio-level risk management: identify, assess, track, and drive mitigation of program risks across all active programs.
- Serve as the primary interface between program teams and senior/executive leadership — preparing and presenting program health reports, portfolio reviews, and executive briefings.
- Partner with engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and finance teams to ensure integrated program execution and resource alignment.
- Support customer-facing program reviews, contract milestone reviews, and program status communications.
- Lead lessons-learned and continuous improvement initiatives across the program management function.
- Manage PMO budget, headcount planning, and tooling investments (scheduling tools, reporting platforms).
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- 15+ years of experience in program/project management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing a PMO or program management function.
- Proven track record of leading complex, system level project execution in the aerospace, defense, or a similarly regulated industry.
- Strong expertise in program governance: IMS, EVM, AGILE, risk management, stage-gate processes, and executive reporting.
- Experience interfacing with customers, executive stakeholders, and cross-functional leadership teams.
- Familiarity with aerospace quality standards (AS9100) and program lifecycle processes.
- PMP or PgMP certification (or equivalent recognized credential).
- Excellent communication, influencing, and organizational leadership skills.
Preferred
- Technical understanding of System Engineering
- Experience in fixed-wing, rotorcraft, UAV/UAS, space, or propulsion programs.
- Exposure to Agile or hybrid delivery methodologies in an aerospace or defense context.
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
- Experience building or transforming a PMO function from the ground up.
- Familiarity with aerospace program lifecycle frameworks (ARP4754A, FAA/EASA certification milestones).
