General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

Program Planning & Operations Director

Poway, CA 92064In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 15+ years of progressively responsible project or program administration experience, including 9+ years managing operations in engineering or scientific environments.
  • Expertise in project planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, and performance reporting.
  • Experience in identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex organizational and operational challenges.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement operational plans, budgets, schedules, and performance measures.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to engage various stakeholders.
  • Ability to navigate complex operational issues for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of operational plans, budgets, and schedules.
  • Direct and coordinate operational activities to achieve business and organizational objectives.
  • Translate strategic priorities into actionable implementation plans.
  • Drive continuous improvement of integrated operational processes.
  • Serve as a liaison among program management, technical teams, and administrative services.
  • Oversee the development of operating procedures aligned with business objectives.
  • Establish mechanisms to monitor progress and resolve issues in collaboration with management.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to influence organizational strategy and operational performance.
  • Access to professional development and leadership opportunities.
  • Work in a collaborative and cross-functional environment.
  • Engagement in meaningful, impactful projects that shape business operations.
  • Promote a safe work environment aligned with best practices.
Full Job Description
Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Program Planning & Operations Director to lead the planning, budgeting, scheduling, and coordination of operational activities across the organization. In this role, you will translate business priorities into actionable plans, align resources to strategic objectives, and drive operational performance across complex programs and teams.

You will partner with program and project managers, technical teams, and administrative functions to address high-priority challenges and develop solutions that support cost, schedule, quality, customer, and business objectives. This position offers the opportunity to influence organizational strategy, improve integrated business processes, and lead through subordinate management. In this role, you will help shape how complex programs are planned and executed, improve the way teams work together, and directly influence the organization's operational and financial performance. Your leadership will help ensure that resources, processes, and priorities remain aligned with customer needs and strategic business goals
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead the development and execution of operational plans, budgets, and schedules.
  • Direct and coordinate operational activities to achieve business, financial, customer, and organizational objectives.
  • Translate strategic priorities into practical, measurable actions and implementation plans.
  • Drive the development and continuous improvement of efficient, integrated operational processes and shared management services.
  • Serve as a key liaison among program and project management, technical teams, and administrative service departments.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of operating procedures aligned with strategic business and administrative objectives.
  • Evaluate cost and service structures, productivity measures, and delivery methods to identify improvement opportunities and achieve performance targets.
  • Establish mechanisms to monitor progress, identify risks, and resolve issues in partnership with program managers, project teams, and administrative functions.
  • Develop and implement solutions that support budget, schedule, quality, customer, and company objectives.
  • Assess complex operational issues, communicate recommendations to all levels of management, and facilitate effective decision-making.
  • Determine customer requirements and translate them into organizational plans and priorities.
  • Lead the recruitment, retention, and development of management and professional talent needed to meet business objectives.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and other requirements.
  • Promote a safe work environment in accordance with established procedures and practices.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Fifteen or more years of progressively responsible project or program administration experience, including at least nine years managing operations in an engineering or scientific environment.
  • Demonstrated expertise in project planning, scheduling, progress monitoring, and performance reporting.
  • Extensive experience identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex organizational and operational challenges.
  • Experience developing and implementing operational plans, budgets, schedules, processes, and performance measures.
  • Strong leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to interpret, explain, and communicate highly complex operational issues to technical and nontechnical audiences.
  • Ability to make sound decisions involving significant organizational, financial, schedule, and resource considerations.
  • Ability to work effectively with executives, program managers, technical teams, and shared-services organizations.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, cross-functional environmen

About General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is a leading designer and manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities. The company is headquartered in Poway, California, and has additional offices and facilities around the world.
Learn more about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc
Size
14,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1955

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