Director, Program Management

Location: On-site in Mt. Vernon, Indiana

The Director of Program Management serves as a senior leader at the Mt. Vernon site, reporting directly to the Deputy General Manager. In this role, you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the Program Management organization, overseeing a diverse portfolio of projects and cross‑functional initiatives critical to site performance. You will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple programs, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, contract obligations, and organizational objectives.

Key responsibilities include managing customer communications, driving accurate estimating, leading contract negotiations, and overseeing all aspects of program administration and reporting. This role carries full accountability for cost, schedule, technical performance, and the integration of functional teams supporting program execution. The Director of Program Management will champion operational excellence, foster strong stakeholder relationships, and ensure that all projects meet or exceed performance expectations.

• Direct and coordinate continuous production programs.
• Direct the efforts of the Program Management Team and obtain assistance from the functional organizations to ensure the performance of all efforts necessary to maximize profitability and deliver contracted goods and services with quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Interface with the Corporate Contracts team to review new work scopes, products or services to assure compatibility with site capabilities.
• Assist Corporate Contracts in proposal efforts to ensure company offerings meet customer needs regarding bid dates, design, and contract details. Reviews and approves applicable proposals.
• Coordinate with Corporate Contracts and the affected operating or functional departments to ensure changes to the proposal agreed to during contract negotiations are equitably distributed and accepted by all parties to the original proposal.
• Review and interpret proposals and contract specifications to become fully acquainted with all requirements, obligations, conditions, and terms of the contract.
• Prepare a project plan that provides for the efficient execution of the contract and the control of project costs, schedules, quality, and documentation requirements.
• Assess contract costs and process efficiencies on an ongoing basis and take necessary corrective actions. Interface with Project Managers and functional departments to negotiate and balance contract financial performance actions within overall company financial goals.
• Assure the creation and receipt of performance information necessary to manage each contract. Exercise control by monitoring project progress regarding cost, schedule, and documentation requirements. Approve changes to baseline schedules that affect the projects. Receive appropriate cost, schedule, and quality data and reports results on a timely basis.
• Institute corrective action where needed by means of the following personnel:
  Program Management Team, Functional Departments, Unit Managers, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager.
• Monitor the contract support actions required from the customer and ensure all necessary steps are taken to initiate and/or expedite such actions when necessary. Keep company and customer management informed of critical items affecting a contract and request management action from either party where appropriate.
• Conduct meetings and briefings on projects with company and customer management.
• Represent the company at customer meetings.

• Bachelor of Science degree in a technical or business discipline.
• A minimum of twenty (20) years of progressively responsible experience is preferred, encompassing project management, manufacturing operations, quality systems and methodologies, contract interpretation and negotiation, contract administration, and integrated planning and production execution.
• At least five (5) years of direct project management experience with demonstrated success leading complex programs.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and…