Program Excellence Director

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the TimeDescription

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman, Mission Systems is looking for a Program Excellence Director to lead the Mission Next Program Excellence Organization. This leader will strengthen the program management discipline and performance across the Mission Next Division and Sector, by deploying robust processes, tools, coaching, and PM development resources. The role drives cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and greater effectiveness in both captures and program execution across the Division.  The leader also owns the quality and outcomes of the Division’s non-advocate reviews.

The role will be based in Linthicum, MD

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Mentoring: Lead and mentor program managers, providing guidance, coaching, and fostering their professional development.  Coaching/mentor program managers to positively influence program decisions, actions, and performance
• Independent Review Teams: Form and lead independent review teams, quickly understanding and providing actionable feedback on a variety of programs.

• Program Management Excellence: Ensure continuous improvement in division-wide program management practices, focusing on program execution, financial management, risk & opportunity management, and contract change management. Support Program management Center of Excellence process, tools and training standardization initiatives.
• Internal Process & Tools: Advocate for the consistent application and education of internal Program Management processes and tools. Lead improvements and increased application in Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), awareness and compliance to Earned Value Management (EVM) methodology, and other key program management tools; effectiveness of risk & opportunity (R&O) management practices across programs to include the identification of R&O, the quantification of R&O and the mitigation / realization of R&O, to include application of common tools across sector programs; ensure return-to-green rigor and adequacy
• Stakeholder Communication & Reporting: Provide regular, clear, and impactful presentations to sector, division, and program stakeholders. Drive internal reporting systems and metrics to provide key insights for management decision-making (i.e. IPRS).
• Program Review Authority: Lead and enforce rigorous Program Review Authority processes across the division.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Lead cross-functional and cross-division efforts to improve program execution and alignment with business strategies.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion continuous improvement initiatives for program management and execution practices as well as reporting systems, ensuring adherence to best practices and lessons learned.
• Proposal & Contract Strategy: Provide expert guidance on execution strategies for various proposal types (FFP, CPFF), supporting process and gate reviews, negotiation strategies, and contract management.

 Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher degree in a related field with a minimum of 10 years of program management experience with 3-5 years in a formal management role
• Demonstrated experience supporting Department of Defense or Government contracts
• Demonstrated success in leading teams to meet schedule, cost and performance requirements as either project lead, integrated program team or cost account manager
• Significant expertise in the following skills/knowledge needed to successfully execute programs:
  • Northrop Grumman’s Program Management processes and tools
  • Program planning, including cost and schedule baselines
  • Earned value management
  • Risk and opportunity identification, management, and mitigation
  • Change management
  • Effectively briefing executives and stakeholders, and managing expectations
  • Operating in complex environments and challenging situations
• Proven success in influencing/aligning individuals and teams who do not directly report to you to achieve a common goal
• Demonstrated teaching, coaching, and mentoring skills
• Current Secret security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience leading P&L programs, and the experience/expertise to assess, monitor, mentor, coach, and lead improvement initiatives in the following areas:
  • Complex project/program management with different customers across the full program life cycle (from proposal development to contract closeout)
  • Resource management and subcontractor management
  • Technical baseline management and performance measurement
  • Quality management systems and continuous process improvement
• Strong execution track record as a PM on a large, complex program
• Experience in start-up or recovery situations that required review and enhancement of metrics, processes, ops tempo, and decision-making tools/products
• Current Top Secret security clearance

Primary Level Salary Range: $214,100.00 - $321,100.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.