Program Management Senior Director

About the role

At Northrop Grumman Mission Systems Long Range Air Defense & Domestic Systems (LRAD & DS) Operating Unit, the Program Management Senior Director will be located in Elkridge, MD and have P&L responsibility for management, strategy, and execution including establishing a strong trajectory for growing the business. The role reports to the VP, Land & Maritime Sensors Business Unit and requires senior leadership contact, strong leadership and decision‑making skills in an ambiguous, changing environment. The candidate must model leadership values, possess strong communication, executive presence, and cross‑cultural skills to interact with a geographically dispersed senior leadership team.

Relocation assistance may be available. A Secret clearance is required for start. Travel is expected approximately 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Capture and execution of international contracts through both Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contractual structures
• Lead and direct cross-functional teams to meet program cost, schedule and technical performance objectives in a matrix organizational environment
• Establish milestones and monitor adherence to master plans and schedules, risk/opportunity management, identifies program problems and obtains solutions
• Identify, allocate and manage program resources, including workforce planning
• Create a positive employee experience for the employees assigned to the operating unit by focusing on retention initiatives and supporting professional development
• Deliver presentations to customers, executive management and other program stakeholders
• Cultivate customer relationships and intimacy to develop further opportunities within the customer community
• Develop business area strategies and new business opportunities that are consistent with Division/ Sector priorities to drive consistent growth for the operating area
• Engage Commission Sales Representatives (CSRs) to assist in the marketing and sale of products to foreign governments, where applicable
• Develop relationships with high-ranking military officials and local Embassy officials in pursuit of new business opportunities
• Develop relationships with senior leaders in partner industries (suppliers, subcontracting) including international companies
• Lead the negotiation of contracts, contract changes, specifications, operating budgets, schedule milestones, and key terms and conditions.
• Proactively identify trends, risks, and opportunities within the organization and develop solutions in partnership with peers, division and matrix leadership, and regional/division HR business leaders
• Using data and analytics, develop solutions to current business issues as well as proactively engage in risk mitigation.
• Analyze and concisely present information to the management team to enable good business decisions

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 15 or more years of program management or related experience; OR Master's degree with 12 or more years of program management or related experience.
• Minimum 7 years of international program management with DCS contracts in at least two diverse geographical regions.
• Expertise negotiating contracts with international customers including at least one MENA country.
• Experience with US Government FMS contracts
• Experience with US Export Regulations /licensing processes and their applicability to Foreign DCS and FMS contracts
• Expertise in program execution to lead the performance of tasks on schedule and at cost on Development and Production programs
• International Capture and Proposal management experience
• Proven success in leading and influencing individuals and teams in a matrix environment
• Demonstrated ability to foster existing customer relationships and develop new customer relationships
• Strong communication and executive presence skills to effectively interact with customer and senior leadership
• Must be a US citizen with a minimum active US Government Secret Clearance; OR DoE equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering and/or business administration
• Experience with International Consultants and CSRs
• Experience developing and implementing offset/localization projects with international companies
• 8 or more years leading production programs, development programs or technical teams (engineering management, functional management)
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning and new business development
• Demonstrated knowledge