Senior Director, Program Management

As the leading transit bus manufacturer in the United States, GILLIG buses play a critical role in the environmental and social initiatives in communities across our nation.  GILLIG is on the forefront in the transition to zero-emission vehicles and has an unmatched reputation in the industry for quality, reliability, durability, service, and support.  From initial design through final assembly, each GILLIG bus is designed and built in Livermore, CA. 

WHY GILLIG

• Leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions including battery electric, hybrid electric, near-zero CNG and clean diesel transit buses
• Renowned for its inclusive team/family-oriented culture
• Stable, successful, and growing organization – a Bay Area business for over 132 years!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Excellent compensation including company paid medical premiums, generous retirement plan and other comprehensive benefits

ABOUT THE ROLE

GILLIG's mission is to design, build, and support the safest and most reliable transit buses in the United States. Our products help reduce congestion, contribute to a cleaner environment, and provide mobility to all. As a key leader within the Product Planning & Strategy organization, the Senior Director, Program Management will play a critical role in delivering the next generation of transit solutions that improve quality of life in communities across the country.

The Senior Director, Program Management is responsible for leading GILLIG's Product Development Program Management organization and ensuring the successful execution of the company's product development portfolio. This leader will oversee a team of Program Managers responsible for driving cross-functional programs from concept through launch, ensuring alignment across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Finance, and other key stakeholders.

GILLIG has established program management processes and governance structures and continues to invest in strengthening its product development capabilities. This role will be responsible for continuously improving program management practices, reporting, planning, risk management, and cross-functional execution while ensuring successful delivery of product development and product improvement programs. The Senior Director will also play an important role in helping evolve program management processes and governance as new ERP and PLM capabilities are implemented across the organization.

This position requires a highly collaborative leader who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution, drive accountability across a matrixed organization, communicate effectively with executive leadership, and proactively identify and escalate risks to ensure successful program outcomes.

Reporting to the Vice President, Product Planning & Strategy, this leader will work closely with GILLIG's executive leadership team to provide visibility into portfolio health, key decisions, resource needs, and program execution risks.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

Program Leadership & Portfolio Execution

• Lead and develop a team of Program Managers responsible for the successful execution of GILLIG's product development and product improvement portfolio
• Ensure programs are delivered on time, on scope, and on budget while maintaining alignment with business objectives and customer requirements
• Drive estimation, planning, organization, execution, and monitoring of cross-functional activities while maintaining visibility into schedules, risks, budgets, dependencies, and committed deliverables
• Provide leadership, guidance, and proactive intervention for programs requiring additional support, escalation, or course correction
• Facilitate effective decision-making and cross-functional alignment to remove obstacles and maintain program momentum

Program Management Excellence

• Continuously improve program management processes, governance, reporting structures, and execution disciplines to support predictable program delivery
• Establish and maintain standard work, program review processes, escalation procedures, risk management practices, and portfolio reporting mechanisms
• Ensure consistent application of program management methodologies, tools, and best practices across the organization
• Institutionalize continuous improvement opportunities through structured lessons learned and post-program reviews
• Support the evolution of program management processes and workflows as ERP, PLM, and other business systems are implemented and enhanced

Executive Communication & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain executive-level reporting that