Senior Director, Profit & Loss

The Panther Group is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Director of Profit & Loss (P&L) to lead and grow a strategic defense technology portfolio supporting critical U.S. Government and allied mission requirements. This executive leader will have full P&L ownership, driving operational excellence, strategic growth, customer engagement, and financial performance across a diverse portfolio of programs. This role combines executive leadership, program execution, business development, and growth strategy.

The successful candidate will oversee a portfolio that includes established government programs, emerging technology initiatives, and next‑generation mission capabilities while ensuring strong customer relationships, operational discipline, and sustainable business growth.

• Own full P&L responsibility for a strategic defense portfolio, including revenue growth, profitability, forecasting, budgeting, and operational performance.
• Develop and execute growth strategies to expand market presence within the defense and national security sectors.
• Lead a portfolio of advanced technology and mission‑focused programs supporting government customers.
• Build and maintain executive‑level relationships with government stakeholders, industry partners, and strategic customers.
• Partner with Business Development and Capture teams to identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities.
• Oversee program execution to ensure customer satisfaction, technical excellence, schedule performance, and financial objectives are achieved.
• Lead cross‑functional teams spanning program management, engineering, operations, contracts, finance, and business development.
• Ensure compliance with government contracting requirements, security standards, and organizational policies.
• Drive organizational growth through leadership development, mentoring, talent strategy, and succession planning.
• Represent the organization at customer meetings, industry events, and strategic partner engagements.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Military Science, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within defense, aerospace, government technology, or national security organizations.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale government programs or portfolios ($50M+ preferred) with direct P&L responsibility.
• Experience leading complex defense technology programs from strategy through execution.
• Proven ability to grow business through successful capture efforts, customer engagement, and contract execution.
• Strong understanding of defense mission areas, emerging technologies, and government contracting environments.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams and multiple program leaders.
• Exceptional executive communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a high-level U.S. Government security clearance.

• Existing relationships with senior government and defense stakeholders.
• Experience supporting military, homeland security, or intelligence‑related missions.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies including autonomous systems, advanced sensing, artificial intelligence, robotics, electronic systems, and data analytics.
• Demonstrated success leading organizations through growth, transformation, or portfolio expansion.

• Strategic Vision
• Executive Presence
• Customer-Centric Leadership
• Financial Acumen
• Growth Orientation
• Operational Excellence
• Talent Development
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Sound Decision-Making
• Ethical Leadership