Director Program Management Jobs in Manchester, CT

About Us:

As a global manufacturer of complex aircraft engine components, Pursuit Aerospace is founded on a commitment to relentless, continuous, operational improvement and extraordinary customer service. We pride ourselves on competitive cost structure, exceptional on-time delivery, and industry-leading quality.

Pursuit Aerospace has cultivated long-term relationships with our customers around the world through respect, teamwork, technology, and trust. We are driven to develop industry leading process innovations and manufacturing techniques on behalf of our customers. Our exceptional quality is driven by a deep investment in and the daily practice of continually improving our people, processes, and products.

About the Opportunity:

As Program Director, PROENERGY you will serve as the face of the organization to customers and manage one or various program value streams including holding accountability for that value stream’s P&L. Reporting to the EVP for the Machining Division, the Program Director leads and oversees one or several complex programs from concept through products delivery, ensuring technical excellence, schedule adherence, cost control and financial performances, contractual compliance, and customer satisfaction. This role combines strategic leadership, program management rigor, cross-functional coordination, and stakeholder engagement to deliver critical, high-value aircraft equipment & systems.

Location : hybrid, primarily onsite in South Windsor, CT, expected travel is <20%

Responsibilities:

• Program leadership & delivery: Own overall program success — schedule, scope, cost, quality, risk, technical performance and ROI — for one or more major programs.
• Program planning & execution: Define program lifecycle plans, milestones, budgets, resource plans, and performance metrics; drive on-time et on-quality delivery.
• Risk & configuration management: Identify, prioritize and mitigate technical, schedule and cost risks; enforce configuration control and change management.
• Cross-functional coordination: Lead and align with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, testing, quality, and sustainment teams.
• Contract & customer management: Manage high level Customer relationship and program strategy; negotiate contract & SOWs, manage contract performance, negotiate commercial changes, and maintain customer satisfaction.
• Financial management: In coordination with Finance team, develop and manage program budgets, forecasts, and earned value (EV) metrics; optimize cost to meet profitability goals.
• Compliance & safety: Ensure programs adhere to customer specifications, aerospace standards (e.g., AS9100), regulatory requirements, export controls (ITAR/EAR), and corporate safety policies.
• Team leadership & talent development: Build, coach and retain high-performing program teams; hire and develop successors.
• Reporting & governance: Provide executive-level program status, metrics, and recommendations to senior leadership and program review boards.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (mechanical, chemical, or aerospace preferred), Operations Management, Finance, or Business – OR – in lieu of degree, 8 years of experience in manufacturing or aerospace
• 8 years of program management and/or aerospace leadership, either military or industry.
• 3 years of experience leading direct reports
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future. The Company cannot offer employment to visa holders who require employer sponsorship in the future or cannot work now on a full-time basis.
• Must be able to perform work subject to ITAR/EAR regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the aviation industry such as OEMs, airlines, suppliers, & aviation community of interest
• Experience with managing a P&L, driving value stream strategy for business growth and customer satisfaction.
• Leadership and team building skills to include fostering collaborative and positive cultures, formal and informal influencing skills, and team empowerment and motivation expertise
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with little supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Working Conditions

• Must be able to have prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to frequently sit, stand and walk.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Personal protective equipment (e.g., safety glasses and safety shoes) is required on the shop floor
• Occasional weekend and evening work may be required to accommodate priorities, deadlines, and schedules.

Acknowledgements:

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Benefits:

Pursuit Aerospace also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements, among other things.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Pursuit Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.