Program Management, Director

Purpose of Position

The Director, Program Delivery (Execution) is responsible for the integrated delivery and overall program execution outcomes of highly complex, enterprise-level programs spanning multiple disciplines and lifecycle phases, including development, production, integration, and sustainment. 

This role serves as the single point of accountability for program-level integration and delivery outcomes, ensuring alignment to cost, schedule, technical performance, and customer requirements through coordination of execution performed by functional organizations and Control Account Managers (CAMs) or equivalent delivery leads. 

The Director leads cross-functional integration across workstreams and ensures cohesive execution through structured program management practices. 

The role operates in close partnership with the PMO Center of Excellence (CoE), ensuring adherence to established standards, governance, and Program Controls disciplines, while maintaining clear separation of responsibilities between program integration, functional execution, and controls ownership. 

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Establishes execution strategies, program structures, and operating rhythms aligned to approved program baselines and business objectives
• Owns and ensures delivery performance against cost, schedule, and technical targets using established performance management frameworks  
• Maintains accountability for program outcomes through integration of performance across functional teams and delivery leads
• Integrates multiple workstreams into a unified execution model aligned to the program work breakdown structure (WBS) or equivalent delivery framework
• Manages interdependencies, sequencing, and delivery alignment using integrated scheduling practices (e.g., Integrated Master Schedule or equivalent)
• Ensures execution accountability resides within functional teams and CAMs or equivalent leads
• Drives execution coordination and enforces delivery accountability across functional teams without assuming functional reporting authority
• Partners with the PMO Center of Excellence (CoE) to ensure effective implementation of Program Controls disciplines, including cost management, scheduling, baseline control, and performance reporting frameworks (e.g., EVM or equivalent)
• Utilizes Program Controls outputs (e.g., performance metrics, variance analysis) to inform execution decisions
• Supports governance processes including baseline reviews, performance reviews, and audit activities
• Maintains clear separation between execution leadership, Program Controls ownership, and functional accountability
• Identifies and manages complex technical, operational, and delivery risks using structured risk management processes
• Leads issue resolution and escalation management
• Drives corrective actions to maintain program stability and delivery commitments in coordination with functional organizations and CAMs or equivalent delivery leads
• Serves as primary interface with executive stakeholders and customers for program execution
• Leads program governance forums including program reviews, milestone reviews, and decision-making forums
• Communicates program status, risks, and trade-offs clearly and effectively based on integrated performance data
• Ensures alignment between stakeholder expectations and execution realities
• Leads cross-functional program teams and provides direction to Program Managers and integration leads
• Mentors program leadership on execution strategies, delivery discipline, and risk management and reinforces clear separation of responsibilities across Program Management, Program Controls, and functional execution ownership
• Promotes a culture of accountability, ownership, and execution excellence 

Minimum Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• Advanced coursework or certifications in program management, systems engineering, or operations management preferred
• Executive leadership or enterprise program management training desirable 

Minimum Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in program management or related leadership roles 
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, multi-disciplinary programs with full lifecycle accountability 
• Proven ability to deliver programs in high-visibility, high-risk environments 
• Experience operating within structured program management environments with centralized standards and controls functions 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Expertise in integrating execution of complex, cross-functional programs across multiple lifecycle phases 
• Strong ability to integrate technical, operational, and business workstreams into a cohesive delivery model 
• Advanced capability in program performance management frameworks, risk identification, and issue resolution 
• Ability to partner effectively with a PMO Center of Excellence, ensuring adherence to standards and effective use of Program Controls without direct ownership 
• Strong decision-making capability under uncertainty, including management of competing priorities and constraints 
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills 
• Strong leadership capability, including influencing across organizations without direct authority 
• Strong understanding of program performance management frameworks (e.g., EVM or equivalent methodologies) 
• Knowledge of integrated scheduling practices (e.g., IMS or equivalent) and dependency management 
• Experience operating within matrixed organizations with CAM-based or equivalent execution ownership models 
• Working knowledge of PMI knowledge areas, including Integration, Cost, Schedule, Risk, and Stakeholder Management 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met and/or encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and communicate. The employee may be required to stand, walk, and sit. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to view monitors, technical documents, and reference material. The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate.