Director, PMO Strategic Initiatives

Job description

Who We Are: At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide. Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical. At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most. What You'll Do: In this role, you’ll lead the execution of a portfolio of complex, cross-functional programs across SES Space & Defense, including strategic initiatives, Intelligence Community customers, and LEO services. You’ll be accountable for portfolio performance across scope, schedule, financials, technical execution, service quality, risk, and customer commitments while providing executive-level visibility into program health, issues, and corrective actions. You’ll also lead and develop a team of Program Managers, driving consistent execution, financial discipline, and adoption of formal program management controls across the organization. This role sits at the center of program delivery, connecting customers, engineering, operations, finance, contracts, supply chain, subcontractors, and senior leadership. You will lead programs from planning and contract award through design, development, integration, deployment or launch, commissioning, and transition to operations, while maintaining accountability for ongoing service delivery and customer commitments. In parallel, you will help strengthen the SES Space & Defense PMO by improving the processes, controls, tools, and operating disciplines used to manage complex programs and portfolios. Key Responsibilities: Lead a diverse portfolio of programs spanning strategic initiatives, LEO services, and other mission-critical programs, with accountability for overall portfolio performance, execution, and customer outcomes. Own full program/portfolio execution across scope, schedule, cost, financial performance, technical execution, service quality, risk, and customer commitments. Provide executive leadership with clear visibility into portfolio health, financial and schedule performance, risks, issues, customer commitments, corrective actions, and emerging priorities. Lead execution of strategic growth initiatives, including MEO-enabled programs supporting space data relay, hosted payloads, free-flyer missions, and other emerging space-enabled services. Lead integrated, cross functional program teams spanning engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, product development, and other functional organizations. Partner with business development and capture teams to support market development, strategic pursuits, capture activities, and proposal development. Direct program execution across the full lifecycle, from contract award and program initiation through development, integration, deployment/launch, commissioning, and transition to operations. Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Program Managers, establishing clear accountability for execution, financial discipline, customer commitments, and adherence to PMO standards. Oversee the development, maintenance, and control of key program baselines, including Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), program management plans, and technical baselines. Drive financial performance across the portfolio through disciplined management of budgets, forecasts, EAC/ETC, revenue, cash flow, margins, and financial recovery plans. Establish and enforce rigorous program controls, including EVMS principles, integrated scheduling, risk and opportunity management, change and configuration control, performance reporting, program reviews, and audits. Serve as customer/senior stakeholder interface, leading reviews, managing expectations, negotiating changes, resolving escalations, and communicating risks and performance. Manage major subcontractors and partners, overseeing SOWs, milestones, performance, compliance, and risk mitigation. Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, government regulations, export controls, and quality standards. Strengthen PMO maturity by improving program management processes, tools, templates, metrics, reporting, governance, and portfolio-level visibility while institutionalizing lessons learned and repeatable best practices. Who You Are: You are a senior program and portfolio leader with proven success delivering complex, multi‑year programs in aerospace, defense, satellite, Intelligence Community, government, and other mission critical environments. You hold full accountability for program and portfolio outcomes across financial performance, schedule, technical and operational delivery, customer commitments, risk management, and cross‑functional execution—not merely PMO coordination or process administration. You excel at leading programs from development through deployment while maintaining ownership as capabilities transition into operational services. You work confidently with customers and executives, lead Program Managers and multidisciplinary teams, manage financial and program controls, and intervene decisively when corrective action is required. You also recognize that a high‑performing PMO requires more than templates and processes. You establish disciplined management practices, ensure consistent adoption across programs, develop Program Managers, and enhance the operating system that enables reliable delivery of complex programs. Key Qualifications & Experience: 12+ years of progressive program and project management experience, including at least 6 years managing complex aerospace, defense, satellite, high-technology, government, or mission-critical programs. Proven success managing a portfolio of complex, multi-million-dollar, multi-year technical programs with significant customer, financial, schedule, technical, operational, and delivery complexity. Demonstrated accountability for program delivery, financial performance, customer commitments, schedule, risk, technical or operational execution, and corrective actions. Experience leading, mentoring, and developing Program Managers or other program leadership professionals. Strong financial acumen, including EVM, forecasting, margin management, EAC/ETC, budget ownership, revenue recognition, cash flow, and contract management. Experience improving PMO governance, processes, tools, metrics, reporting, portfolio visibility, and program management maturity across multiple programs. Experience leading integrated teams and multiple subcontractors in a matrixed environment across engineering, operations, supply chain, contracts, finance, and technical functions. Experience supporting strategic growth initiatives, capture, proposals, or new program development while maintaining strong post-award program execution capabilities. Demonstrated strength in executive communication, customer engagement, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, risk management, change management, and organizational development. Strong understanding of program and portfolio management methodologies and tools, including Agile, Waterfall, SAFe, MS Project, Gantt-based planning, and Microsoft 365. Bachelor’s degree in business, management, engineering, or a related field required; master’s degree or MBA preferred. Preferred Qualifications & Experience: Certifications in program management (PMI), Scrum, and SAFe Working knowledge of satellite communications systems, payloads, ground systems, space segment development, mission systems, or related aerospace and defense technologies. Experience supporting Intelligence Community, national security, DoD, SATCOM, space, aerospace, or Government communications programs. Experience with Costpoint and Salesforce Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Active U.S. Secret clearance or higher preferred. SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position’s location, the candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense’s benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.