Program Director

GKN Aerospace Inc

Jul 02, 2025
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities. GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we're inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We're proud to play a part in protecting the world's democracies. And we're committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world's aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of 3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career. Job Summary The Program Director is responsible for leading a diverse portfolio of aircraft component production programs spanning multiple customers. The Program Director will be accountable for building and managing the site's Program Management Office as well as performance of programs within the portfolio ensuring attainment of financial, schedule contractual, technical, and customer satisfaction goals. Job Responsibilities Ensure the execution of the programs within the portfolio to ensure compliance with all the business case and contractual requirements for their products. Coordinate and oversee the site program management organization including representing the PMO on the Site's Leadership Team. Establish and maintain constructive, collaborative, and positive relationships with the entire Tallassee customer community, serving as the primary customer interface for issue resolution and feedback. Continuously monitor program execution across the portfolio, including tracking program cost, schedules and performance and reporting progress against program milestones and life cycle gates with relevant internal and external stakeholders. Create, implement, and advocate program improvement plans including but not limited to those related to affordability, pricing, continuous improvement, Zero Defects Manufacturing, and engineering design initiatives. Oversee change and manage growth across the program portfolio, executing Bid and Proposal activities to coordinate cost budget, schedule and technical compliance to meet the requirements of the customer. Ensure contract negotiations align to approved business cases, statements of work and requirements. Define the vision, strategy, and budget for the program to deliver sales, profit, margin, inventory, quality, delivery and cash received in accordance with annual operating plans. Advocate and uphold the culture associated with GKN's Great Place to Work initiative. Job Qualifications Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Science, Finance, Mathematics or Business 10 - 15 years of complex management experience and cross functional leadership. Must be able to perform work subject to ITAR/EAR regulations and/or program requirements. Preferred Qualifications 10 years of aerospace experience, either military or industry Demonstrated Leadership and team building skills to include fostering collaborative and positive cultures, formal and informal influencing skills, and team empowerment and motivation expertise Successful track record in the management of complex aerospace programs either within the military or as a prime or major subcontractor Advanced problem solving skills and knowledge of program management tools and procedures Excellent oral and written communication skills Advanced customer stakeholder relationship building skills We'll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go? A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we've created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It's a culture that won us 'The Best Workplace Culture Award'. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work. We're also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know. We arethe place where human dreams, plus humanendeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.