Shield AI is seeking a Program Manager, based in Dallas, Texas, to support and lead the development, production, delivery, operations and sustainment of transformative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems within Defense Technology Company focused on Building the World’s Best AI Pilots. 

What you'll do:

• This role is primarily customer focused, ensuring all elements of assigned program, most notably ongoing interfaces with distributors/end-users and ongoing sustainment operations, are executed flawlessly. This includes partnership with the forward deployed offset program manager when required.
• Deliver exceptional, proven, and reliable performance in support of l customer and end-user’s related missions through flawless execution of each phase (Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Closure) of Shield AI’s programs.
• Oversee customer relationships and act as the key escalation point for programs, projects, and operational performance issues.
• Hands-on and oversight of project plans, scope, schedule, and management.
• Astutely balance and re-balance the often-shifting customer cost, schedule, and technical parameters/priorities of each program as it progresses during the overall life cycle.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including managers, customers, relevant areas within Industry as well as key partners and suppliers, both locally and internationally.
• Support the development/execution of strategy, governance, and risk management for international program operations in accordance with the company’s policies and procedures.
• Be able to operate and make decisions considering cultural nuances and overarching political and/or military factors.
• Support the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of internal budget, resource, and project management standard metrics
• Support the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of any and all customer or end user contractually required deliverables 
• Foster and facilitate collaboration and shared accountability for outcomes with Leadership
• Lead/coordinate a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
• 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
• Support specified business development including requests for tender, proposal or information, expression of interest, and unsolicited offers as they develop and evolve from current programs and related opportunities.

Required qualifications:

• 8 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a master’s degree 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills (verbal and written) and ability to lead by influence and collaboration
• Proven experience delivering on complex program execution and ability to focus on long-term business objectives
• Experience with Export / Import Regulations
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally/internationally, as needed, up to 25%
• Experience with Earned Value and managing Gate Reviews, Estimates at Completion (EACs) and Program Management Reviews (PMRs)
• Deep expertise in project and program management and ability to run multiple programs with multiple projects across multiple countries
• Significant experience and excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suit and experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Superb skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management
• Expert understanding of complex project financials
• Demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others 

Preferred qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification 
• Experience with current manufacturing systems and processes
• Experience in field of unmanned aerial vehicles
• Training, logistics, operations, and maintenance

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