Director, PMO

About the role

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for complex programs from initial design through launch, deployment, and operational transition.
• Own program performance across scope, schedule, cost, risk, quality, technical execution, and customer commitments.
• Lead development and management of key program baselines, including Work Breakdown Structures, Integrated Master Schedules, program plans, and delivery milestones.
• Manage program financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, EAC/ETC, revenue recognition, cash flow, margin performance, and recovery planning.
• Serve as a primary customer and stakeholder interface, leading formal reviews, managing expectations, negotiating changes, and communicating program risks and progress.
• Lead integrated program teams across engineering, systems engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, product development, and other cross-functional groups.
• Manage major subcontractors, vendors, and partners, including SOW definition, milestone tracking, performance oversight, contractual compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Establish and maintain disciplined risk, issue, opportunity, configuration control, and change management processes to protect program baseline integrity.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, government regulations, export controls, quality standards, CDRLs, data packages, and program documentation.
• Mentor program managers and project leads while improving PMO tools, templates, processes, best practices, and lessons-learned discipline.

Who You Are

• You bring deep program management experience leading complex, multi-year programs in aerospace, defense, satellite, government, or other highly technical environments.
• You have managed large-scale program delivery across cost, schedule, risk, technical execution, customer relationships, subcontractors, and cross-functional teams.
• You understand how to translate complex customer and business requirements into executable plans, while maintaining financial discipline, operational accountability, and strong executive-level communication.
• You are a steady, credible leader who can build PMO capability, mentor future leaders, and drive consistency in how complex programs are planned, governed, and delivered.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive program/project management experience, including at least 6 years managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, high-technology, or government programs.
• Proven success managing enterprise-level, multi-million-dollar, multi-year programs with significant customer, financial, schedule, technical, and delivery complexity.
• Strong financial acumen, including EVM, forecasting, margin management, EAC/ETC, budget ownership, revenue recognition, and contract management.
• Experience leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors in a matrixed environment across engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, and technical functions.
• Working knowledge of satellite communications systems, payloads, ground systems, space segment development, or related aerospace/defense technologies preferred.
• Strong understanding of program and portfolio management methodologies and tools, including Agile, Waterfall, SAFe, MS Project, Gantt-based planning, and Microsoft 365.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field required; master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• PMP or other industry-recognized program management certification preferred; ability to obtain PMP within 6 months of assignment required. ITIL certification above Foundation preferred.
• Demonstrated strength in executive communication, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, risk management, change management, and organizational development.
• Active U.S. Secret clearance or higher preferred.