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Job Descriptions:

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., is a leading defense technology company focused on unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training, and combat systems. Our customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises, and state and local government agencies. At Kratos, we prioritize affordability as a cornerstone of our technology. We leverage proven, cutting-edge methodologies and technology to minimize costs, streamline schedules, and mitigate risks, ensuring timely delivery of cost-effective solutions to market.

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems (KUAS), a division of Kratos Defense, is renowned for its expertise in developing, delivering, integrating, and supporting high-performance, cost-effective, jet-powered Unmanned Aerial Systems (Targets and Tactical). As a mid-tier defense contractor, we've demonstrated agility and innovation in providing aircraft to the US military and global allies and partners. Our track record of delivering top-notch jet-powered subscale targets has established us as a go-to defense contractor capable of delivering capabilities at an affordable price.

At KUAS, we prioritize innovation, collaboration, and growth. Our team collaborates to cultivate a supportive and dynamic workplace, fostering creativity and promoting professional development while honoring personal and family lives. Join our team and help shape the future of unmanned technology within the defense industry today!

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Associate Director of Programs will provide leadership and specific direction to one or more Program Managers and associated cross-functional support teams to meet and exceed their business area financial, customer, and internal business objectives. The Associate Director of Programs is responsible for the both the execution of the programs within assigned portfolio, as well as for providing strategic direction to ensure that the business area provides sustainable, recurring value. As such, the Associate Director of Programs must provide both strategic leadership as well as be able to support tactical execution in the areas of proposal direction, preparation, and negotiation, customer relationship development and maintenance, programs execution, performance status and presentations, coordination of resources, customer interface, and logistics support for all programs and projects under the Associate Director’s purview.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

+ Provides business area leadership and oversight to assigned Program Managers and cross-functional support team, develops strategic business area growth strategies, manages portfolio execution to meet contract and company commitments, and champions process excellence to continually improve operations and performance on assigned programs.

+ Simultaneously provides leadership and guidance to business-area programs and interfaces with all customers (internal and external) effectively.

+ Leads Program Managers and associated cross-functional team members in the execution of all phases of a program from inception to completion.

+ Ensures Program Management leadership of proposal preparation and negotiation on applicable efforts within the portfolio.

+ Ensures program plans (e.g., budgets, schedules and status reporting) are established and monitored for each program.

+ Ensures Program Managers effectively use integrated teams which may include: Purchasing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Finance, Logistics and Administrative areas, including Program Planning & Control.

+ Responsible for the P&L on all business areas programs and meeting contractual requirements.

+ Communicates with customers at the appropriate level, and mentors portfolio team in appropriate and beneficial customer communications.

+ Develops in-depth knowledge of the customer organization and establishes close personal relationships with key decision-makers.

+ Ensures the customer perspective is defined, maintained, developed, monitored, and communicated to the Director of Programs and functional area Senior Managers and Executives.

+ Conducts professional briefings and technical meetings for executive management and customer representatives.

+ Mentors assigned business area Program Managers in program management processes. Drives the identification, capture and implementation of best business practices across the business area, and communicates those to VP of Programs.

+ Effective and regular communications with ALL levels of Customers, senior management, internal Program Managers and other program personnel to promote a cohesive team.

+ Responsible for program/project budget preparation/control and cost analysis (assigned proposals and contracts); and program financial performance (P&L).

+ Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

+ Directly manages team of Program Managers to include any CLS program management. Works in collaboration with functional management to forecast and resource portfolio of programs. Champions program management tempo ensuring “real time” status and visibility including comprehensive return to green plans when off plan. Mentors and coaches the Program Management staff; performance appraisals; rewarding, coaching, and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems for personnel.

COMPENSATION: $180,000-$200,000

#LI-Onsite

Required Experience:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Required:

+ Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards.

+ Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors.

+ Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary.

+ Ability to adhere to workplace rules.

+ Ability to effectively direct goal-oriented activities of a geographically diverse Team in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment.

+ Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, staff, control and direct complex software and hardware engineering (development) and production projects using tools and techniques (with Advanced/Special understanding) associated with earned value, risk, and schedule management.

+ Program Management Professional (PMP) certification highly desired.

+ A thorough understanding of engineering, development technologies, and applicable military and commercial specifications and standards.

+ Demonstrated capability to lead major subcontractors and suppliers in meeting challenging schedules.

+ Demonstrated negotiation and team building skills.

+ Strong combination of technical skills, program management skills, sales, and negotiation skills.

+ Senior level technical and cost performance reporting.

+ Demonstrated mastery of development and use of Integrated Master Plans and Schedules (IMP/IMS), Risk and Opportunity Management Plans, use of a Structured Decision and Analysis Resolution process.

+ Ability to work with minimal oversight.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required:

+ Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Engineering or Business and 13+ years of experience as a program/project/engineering manager, preferably on DoD acquisition programs/projects.

*In lieu of the educational requirements, a minimum of 20 years of experience in support of DoD contracts may be considered.

Preferred:

+ Master’s degree in Business or Engineering Management.

+ Formal program management training and US military background is desired.

+ Certified CMMi program life cycle process implementation experience desired.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

+ Office and or manufacturing environment.

+ Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time.

+ Ability to perform repetitive motion (computer usage).

+ May work extended hours or weekends.

+ May have some exposure to the manufacturing environment with potential exposure to uncontrolled climate conditions and potential exposure to noise, dust and hazardous chemicals/waste.

+ May be required to lift up to 50 pounds in accordance with KUAS General Safety Training guidelines.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

+ 0-25% May be required to travel locally, domestically and internationally.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

A REVIEW OF THIS CLASSIFICATION HAS EXCLUDED THE MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASSIFICATION THAT ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL JOB JUTIES. ALL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THIS JOB PROFICIENTLY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR ABILITIES

Keyword: Associate Director of Programs

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation

If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to [email protected] or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency

The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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From: Kratos Defense