Director, Europe and Africa V-BAT Programs (R4861)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:

We are seeking a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers in the delivery and sustainment of transformative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system Direct Commercial Sales programs in the Europe and Africa markets.  

What you'll do:

Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless execution of Program Management and team leadership. 

Shape/codify processes and procedures to effectively collaborate, motivate, and manage relevant stakeholders required to successfully deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance. 

Constantly drive a healthy tension between all functions to ensure a holistic approach to delivering on Shield AI’s commitments. 

Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.  

Guide the initiation and sustainment of DCS contracts for Shield AI’s V-BAT systems. 

Lead the identification, development, and implementation of process improvements for DCS program management processes and tools  

Provide hands-on management of projects/programs as needed while the programs grow

Oversee customer relationships and act as the key escalation point for programs, projects, and operational performance issues  

Drive efforts to attain budget, schedule, and scope requirements 

Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics  

Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks 

Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule 

Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources  

Manage the portfolio of programs to meet or exceed company Annual Operating Plan objectives

Hire and supervise a team of project and program managers as needed to support Shield AI’s rapid growth in the international sector 

Develop highly effective Program Managers responsible for planning, scheduling and controlling the activities of complex projects spanning multiple organizations 

Provide the necessary leadership and support to DCS project and program managers to manage projects in line with project management processes and associated policies and procedures   

Oversee the distribution, prioritization, quality and volume of the DCS Program Management team’s work 

Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities

Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core 

Foster and facilitate collaboration and shared accountability for outcomes with Leadership 

Report directly to Shield AI’s Senior Director of Program Management 

Required qualifications:

Program Management experience with Aerospace and Defense programs

Proven experience building, growing, and leading a program team

Deep expertise in project and program management 

Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed 

Ability to focus on long-term business objectives 

Ability to run advanced projects/programs consisting of multiple interrelated projects, in a manner that is largely self-directed 

Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet. 

Significant experience and excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite 

Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management 

Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability 

Expert understanding of complex project financials 

A demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being