Program Management Office Director

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world. Neutron will be our next rocket on the launch pad, an advanced 13-tonne payload class, reusable rocket to launch the mega constellations of the future. Our space systems business includes our extensive line of satellites and components that have enabled more than 1,700 missions including the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA Psyche Mission, Artemis I, Mars Ingenuity helicopter, and more.  

Join our pioneering team and launch your career to new heights!

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE DIRECTOR

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Project Management Office (PMO) Director is responsible for maintaining high performance standards, establishing best-in-class project management methodologies, developing constructive customer relationships, and ensuring projects are executed effectively and delivered on time and within budget.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Establish the PMO’s role in the organization and create a center of excellence that aligns projects with the Company’s quality standards, values and strategy
• Develop and govern program and portfolio management processes, uses of dashboards, templates, and other tools to align project performance with Company policies and metrics
• Practice disciplined change management, ensuring the Company’s financial and schedule objectives are protected from scope and specification creep
• Monitor projects, programs and portfolio to ensure compliance with Company policies and standards, to ensure they are meeting schedules, budgets and quality expectations, and to ensure constructive customer relationships
• Lead regular program management reviews that demonstrate stewardship of cost, schedule and risk.  Summarize review content for executive management briefings. Report to executive team on progress and performance of PMO
• Manage project, program and portfolio deliverables and tasks, as needed, to drive performance that meets or exceeds the expectations established at project kickoff
• Identify project, program and portfolio priorities, deal with challenges and communicate project risks and opportunities to executive management
• Coach and mentor program managers and project engineers. Share knowledge and develop best practices.  Hire, develop, discipline, terminate and generally manage PMO staff
• Serve as a primary and/or escalatory point of contact for customers to resolve issues, negotiate requirements, coordinate technical and programmatic changes, and maintain positive relationships
• Plan and lead major customer reviews through cross-company coordination, developing and briefing technical content on complex designs, trade studies, risks, and issues
• Work with business development team to inform and assess which proposals have the highest potential value, impact and strategic alignment
• Support the business development team’s capture process by contributing programmatic and operational experience, data and know-how
• Partner with supply chain leadership to identify cost reduction opportunities and lead their realization and to ensure the satellite program supply chain is robust and prepared to support the company
• Partner with manufacturing operations leadership to ensure their readiness to execute programs when they transition into manufacturing
• Partner with design engineering to ensure program specifications are met and to design for cost and manufacturability
• Partner with finance and accounting to ensure project costs are captured, appropriately segregated by cost type, reported in an accurate and timely manner, and managed effectively

YOU’LL BRING THES