Director, Programs

Since its inception in 2004, Geost has been committed to solving mission-critical space domain and ISR challenges for DOD, IC and commercial customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. As we grow our operations in Tucson, AZ and Chantilly, VA, we remain dedicated to the collaborative and innovative culture that is the foundation of our business. Geost is an operating unit of LightRidge Solutions.

Position Summary

Geost seeks an enthusiastic and highly capable Director, Programs to successfully lead the company's space and terrestrial business portfolio. An ideal candidate will possess extensive experience within the space and defense industry to manage profitable programs and product lines. The role will provide strong leadership, decision-making skills, and business acumen to lead and grow the business.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Oversee the development and management of the portfolios program plans, including goals, objectives, timelines, and resources.
• Program Execution: Monitor and drive the progress of multiple projects, ensuring they remain on schedule and within budget, and address any issues or risks that arise.
• Resource Management: Allocate and coordinate resources across projects, including personnel, budget, and equipment.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks to programs, developing contingency plans, and ensuring timely resolution of issues.
• Stakeholder Communication: Maintain clear and consistent communication with stakeholders, including project managers, executives, and other relevant parties.
• Performance Reporting: Track program progress, prepare reports for stakeholders, and identify areas for improvement.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor program staff and project managers, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the program budgets, ensuring they remain within approved limits.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that all projects within the program portfolio meet the required quality standards.
• Change Management: Manage portfolio program changes and transitions, ensuring that they are implemented effectively and efficiently.
• Influence and lead, where required, proposals and IRADs within the Space and Terrestrial Business area.
• Work closely with Business Development to establish executable program plans and pricing.
• Collaborate with company leadership to establish space portfolio growth strategies.
• Review and manage the P&L components (major sources of revenue [with key programs] and major cost areas).
• Identify portfolio investment needs for success (i.e. facilities, key hires and existing personnel, technologies, infrastructure, etc.).
• Develop and implement actionable business strategies and plans that ensure alignment with short-term and long-term corporate objectives.
• Identify gaps in resources, processes, and people in the execution of the portfolio business area and work with other company leaders to fill those gaps.
• Present in regular leadership and management meetings on the status of the portfolio, discussing profitability, key cost areas, and improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Ensure leadership decisions promote a highly inclusive and supportive culture.
• Travel or off-site work as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in business, technology, or a related field.
• An active U.S. Government Security Clearance. Current SSBI is strongly preferred.
• 15 or more years of experience in managing technical projects for the U.S. Government.
• Experience performing and working in a dynamic and high-visibility role.
• Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of program and project milestones.
• Proven customer management experience.
• Familiarity with space EO and IR payloads, electronics, software, and/or remote sensing.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Continuous improvement mindset and high attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead, inspire, and nurture direct reports.
• Excellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints.
• Willing to work on site in Tucson at least 4 days per week.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Basic life with AD&D
  • Short term disability
  • Long term disability
  • Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
  • Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including automatic company contribution)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, pregnancy, and military)
• Annual Bonus Incentive

Geost is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Geost is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@geost.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)