Director of Program Management

SkyGrid, a Boeing, Avathon Company, exists to open the sky for autonomous flight. Based in Austin, Texas, SkyGrid builds ground based high-assurance third-party services to enable the safe operations and airspace integration of highly automated and autonomous aircraft. SkyGrid also acts as a key operational nexus for advanced air mobility, integrating and managing data, infrastructure, access, and traffic to support seamless and efficient air traffic services. 
The SkyGrid team is looking for an exceptional leader with aviation background to take on the Director of Program Management role. This person will lead the Program Management Organization (PMO), and work across organizational lines to achieve the company vision and goals. Program Management Office (PMO) with Program Managers and Business Area Manager will report to this individual and will have the final authority on timely delivery of products that meets the needs of customers and stakeholders. You are also responsible for leading annual company strategic planning that impact long term targets. You will maintain the morale of the organization and removing all roadblocks that arise along the way. You will also ensure that export compliance is reached for all internal and external stakeholders.  

Performance Objectives

• Ensure all program objectives are met as set out in the Integrated Master Schedule. 
• Determineexecution strategies for the new product lines to ensure streamlined programs execution 
• Develop detailed program plan for domestic and international system deployment. 
• Ensure corporate level assurance is reached by the end of FY25 

Responsibilities

• Generating short- and long-term business roadmap that aligns with the company strategy and vision.  
• Manage and develop the Program Management Organization that will support the product roadmap and execution of strategic objectives. 
• Direct all phases of the programs from conceptualization through completion, including acquisition, planning, allocation, and managing technical performance, business and financial objective. 
• Manage schedule and budget performance, resource planning and allocation with PMs, Directors, Leads through Program Management Reviews. 
• Manage risks and opportunities and plan for recovery. 
• Manage and communicate priorities, impact, challenges, roadblocks, insights effectively and concisely to appropriate audiences and stakeholders. 
• Generate proposals, business plans, statement of work and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms and conditions. 
• Technical leadership and excellence are maintained by directing and participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of the required talent.  
• Collaborate with senior and executive leadership from engineering, product, business development, and operations for current and long-term business and financial objectives alignment, technical and business roadmap generation, and issues resolution
• Interact with executive management and customer representatives regarding programmatic and contractual clarifications
• Drive cross-functional matrix organizations for product research, development, testing, integration and production.
• Manage subcontractor strategies, execution plan and resolve issues timely to support business roadmap. 
• Identify and implement process improvements and technological innovations. 
• Ensure from the programmatic perspective that regulatory agreement is reached for SkyGrid’s product approval
• Ensure trade compliance process is identified and all external engagement and deliveries show compliance 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Technical background in aerospace, computing, and engineering a plus 
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience in a managerial capacity, with a proven track record of effectively overseeing and guiding product teams 
• 5+ years of experience in product management with a track record of developing and launching new products in aerospace or related technologies 
• Strong domain knowledge and product sense in aviation, flight operations, aviation data, ATM/CNS systems and related digital services and systems 
• Strong communication and storytelling skills 
• Experience in uncrewed aviation, air traffic management, UTM, or advanced aerial mobility a plus 

The Director of Programs brings the following attributes: 

• Growth Mindset: Action-oriented optimists grounded in reality, who finds joy in helping evolve points of view and achieve alignment across diverse perspectives 
• Status Quo Agitator: Ability to rapidly assess situations to build understanding on strength and weaknesses associated with existing operating models, t