Program Execution Director

Mercury Systems seeks a Program Execution Director for the Compute line of business (LOB) headquartered in Andover MA. As a senior leader in the LOB, you will collaborate to deliver leading edge secure microelectronics that are game changing and impactful to our nation's defense. Mercury resides at the intersection of high-tech and defense. Focused on accelerating innovations that matter to the aerospace, defense, and space sectors, we leverage our longstanding strategic partnerships to access the latest in commercial technologies to design, manufacture, test, and deliver ruggedized microelectronics. Our products operate in the harshest environments based on a challenging system design specification, that require high reliability.

The successful candidate will be an integral member of a team that is transforming our business and the defense-grade microelectronics industry while executing on near-term program commitments and fostering a culture of teamwork and agility. This position will require a proven leader who is accomplished at overcoming challenges, managing a direct team of program managers, leading in a matrix work environment, and maintaining excellent customer relationships while growing the business. If you have the valued skillsets we are looking for and you want to leverage your talents towards making state-of-the-art microelectronics profoundly more accessible to aerospace and defense, then apply today and come be part of our team!

The ideal candidate shows up every day with realistic optimism and works within a high performing team that executes with a growth and integrated mindset. A "winning as a team" mentality that works with the other line of business peers as well as functional peers to be the highest performing processing technologies team in the industry is a must. The candidate must have excellent oral and written skills with a "can-do" and "partnering" attitude within the company, suppliers, partners and our customers. The candidate must be able to communicate with C-Level and throughout the organization including product management, program management, engineering and direct labor teams. A candidate that thrives on stress and leads the team to overcomes challenges to deliver results to the company, team, and customer is highly sought.

Job Summary:

Mercury Systems' Processing Technologies business unit is seeking a Program Execution Director to lead the Compute line of business' program portfolio. The Program Execution Director role is a senior leadership position with high visibility all the way up to the Executive Leadership Team. This role is critical to the business and works both within the LOB and through the BU while partnering across all functional teams spanning growth, product development, design, engineering, supply chain, production, finance, contracts, and sustainment. The Program Execution Director will drive execution and innovation in the Compute LOB product lines (i.e. Sensor Processing and Server Processing) while be accountable for cost, schedule, and technical program performance. Key responsibilities include partnering with Business Development in growing product line opportunities, managing current programs, partnering with Product Management to develop new products and introduce those products to the marketplace, creating strategic roadmaps that align with internal and external stakeholder needs, maturing technology and manufacturing readiness, and managing customer relationships.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with peer program directors in the Processing Technologies BU and the successful candidate will lead efforts that require support from a matrixed team. The business uses an integrated program team approach to program management, thus the leadership style will have a direct impact to organizational influence and collaboration. As such, close partnership with the program management team and the functional organization to advance performance across the portfolio is highly regarded. The Program Execution Director role is highly dynamic and set in a fast-paced environment that requires proven experience in managing complex programs while displaying exemplary leadership. The candidate must be comfortable working through areas of uncertainty, managing risks, capturing opportunities, and driving high performance of each program from cost, schedule, and technical performance perspectives. The candidate must be a team player who is team focused, collaborating across the organization to ensure overall team success. The leader must hold him/herself accountable for results of the extended organization, maintain positive, collaborative teaming environments and drive the team to reach business objectives. The LOB is a strategic growth area where Mercury is strongly positioned and there is more to accomplish to become the best performing team and company in the industry. The candidate will need to execute programs flawlessly and is integral to growing the business. A strategic mindset coupled with the drive to execute tactically is essential for success. The Program Execution Director role is the focal point for the business, its leadership, and the customer base. As such, confidence, effective communication, self-motivation, accountability, and a positive drive are critical to manage the product portfolio into continued success.

Job Responsibility:

• Overall responsibility to run the program management office (PMO) which is responsible for the program lifecycle from the front end of the business, through development and into production.

• Drive a high performing execution team focused on delivering to commitments

• Accountable for program performance - financial, technical, schedule, customer, and growth.

• Collaborate with engineering, semiconductor partners, and customers on technology roadmaps and new product introductions. The candidate should possess an innate ability to balance both strategic thinking and driving day-to-day actions

• Work across the business unit, collaborating with Business Development, Engineering, Product Development, Program Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Contracts, Trade Compliance, and Mission Assurance. This role requires a team player who is focused on team success. Working both IN the team and ON the team will be a daily task.

• Work with Sales and Capture Leads from various business units to scope and bound new program pursuits. Understand the business needs and market. requirements. May take lead role on capture and/or proposal efforts or serve as contributing team member.

• Create program Work Breakdown Structure, Integrated Master Schedule and contract budget baseline; work with cross functional team to develop program schedule, risk strategies, and costs; work with Product Managers, Contracts, Engineering, Operations, SCM and the Business Unit to create program pricing; manage the same.

• Identify out of scope activities and, with appropriate review by management, make recommendations and commitments to the customer. Negotiate additional charges, funding, and/or timeline impacts.

• Interact with suppliers and customers on a proactive basis.

• Proven experience with customer relationship management. Exemplary interpersonal skills and achieving win/win outcomes.

• Exceptional presentation skills, across all levels of the organization --- from CEO to factory floor, both internal to Mercury, with customers, and various government agencies. An executive presence that projects confidence and ability coupled with integrity, so trust is established.

• Work with Engineering and New Product Introduction teams to develop IRAD and proposals to ensure program transition is seamless.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver and sustain measurable results

• Comfort with uncertainty and ambiguity.

• Strong analytical capabilities coupled with strong business acumen

• Ability to quickly dissect large amounts of data to arrive at a decision. Further, an ability to make a decision when limited (or no) data is available.

• Ability to learn new skills, meet deadlines, embrace new technologies, and follow process

• Demonstrated experience successfully managing risks and opportunities.

• Demonstrated experience with proven problem solving skills with drive, motivation, and energy to completing any challenge given.

• Experience in coaching, mentoring and relationship building with external organization

• Proactively seek feedback and demonstrated experience to continually improve existing business processes

• High expectations for sustained excellence for self and team members

• Ability to interact with multi-disciplined professionals to understand and make necessary tradeoffs and decisions

• Demonstrated record of having provided solutions to challenges. An independently motivated and highly collaborative, supportive, selfless team attitude is essential for success.

• A comfort with working under very tight deadlines.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

• Drive. The ability to architect a solution and coach/mentor/lead the team to accomplish the tasks --- sometimes jumping into multiple different domains to assist in and/or do the tasks.

Required Qualification:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering

• Knowledge of Military and Aerospace systems, processing architectures and solutions, as well as processing technologies for DoD development programs.

• 8+ years of experience in aerospace and defense industry.

• Strong business acumen. An ability to make business and technical trades and provide specific recommendations to senior management, partners, and the customer's business leaders.

• Strong team leadership skills in matrix management environment, driving accountability at all levels

• Ability to convey information and ideas, including strong executive presence, communication, and presentation skills. Executive-level communications and presenting skills is a must.

• Strategic thinker with capacity to manage business complexity and to identify and focus on top priorities

• Ability to travel 30% between sites and customer locations

• Preferred locations: Andover, MA, Hudson NH, or Chantilly VA

Preferred Qualification:

• Technical master in a technical field preferred.
• MBA preferred.
• 10 years direct Program Management experience managing programs in an aerospace and defense industry (Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier)

"This position requires you to have or obtain a government security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens."