Program Director Jobs in Norfolk, VA (NOW HIRING)

Post Context

ACT contributes to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading, at Strategic Command level, Warfare Development required to enhance NATO's posture, military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.

The Capability Development Directorate (CAPDEV) comprises two Divisions-Requirements and Capabilities. The Directorate supports SACT in his Capabilities Requirement Authority (CRA) role. It is responsible for a holistic through lifecycle Capability Development approach that infuses innovation and transformative efforts that are an integral part of the Warfare Development. This includes responsibilities for elicitation, development, capture and collection, quality review, traceability and visibility of capability requirements.

The Capabilities Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with the management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure. This entails synchronizing horizontally across capabilities to achieve coherent efforts and outcomes.

The Material Solutions, Infrastructure & Facilities Branch provides infrastructure Programme Directors for but not limited to Maritime, Bulk Fuel and Munitions, Air Basing and NATO Command Structure Facilities, to direct, guide and monitor those programmes in a through-lifecycle approach across all the elements of DOTMLPFI. This includes participation in Site Surveys and the acceptance process.

The Programme Director represents the key staff officer in the development of the Airbasing and Ammunition Storage Facilities Programme Plan plus the POL Programme Plan. The post is primarily responsible for leading the community of interests during the life cycle of Air Basing and Ammunition Storage Facilities and POL across DOTMLPFI and provides the continuity to the long term programmes not afforded by the turnover of Military staff. The post represents the ACT Point of Contact for all matters relating to Air Basing, and Ammunitions Storage and POL.  In addition, the incumbent may perform the duties of Programme Director in any Infrastructure Facilities Capability.

Principal Duties:

• Leads the development of Infrastrucure and Facilities Capability Programme Plans and ensures the delivery of programme outcomes by assessing throughout the lifecycle cost, scope, schedule, risk and performance against agreed tolerances for submission to governance.
• Direct the assigned Project Coordinator(s) in their role in the development of materiel solutions for inclusion in the assigned Infrastructure and  Facilities Programme Plan.
• Ensure that, in co-ordination with other internal and external stakeholders, all necessary data is kept up to date in the management information systems to support the management and monitoring of  infrastructure projects throughout their life-cycle.
• The Programme Director will also be required to lead or support other Infrastructure Programmes/Projects as directed by the Branch Head.
• Lead the ACT materiel solutions related inputs for the Investment Committee (IC).
• Maintain close liaison with other ACT Capability Development staff, ACO and NATO International Staffs, and nations concerning Assigned Infrastructure and Facilities Programme.
• Represent ACT MSIF Branch at meetings, conferences and workshops as required.
• Assist BH in the arrangement of major MSIF meetings at, or visits to, HQ SACT.
• Lead the working group for the review and rewrite of relevant Directives and for the NATO Approved Criteria and Standards for NATO infrastructure and facilities
• Coordinate the development of Infrastructure and Facilities materiel related Non-AOM Urgent Requirements and Minor Works.
• Develop and conduct regular Infrastructure and Facilities programme reviews.
• Monitor Capability requirements development at all stages and plan and synchronize the development of assigned Infrastructure and Facilities Capability from stage 3 to stage 4 across the full spectrum of DOTMLPFI.
• Plan O&M support at stage 3, plan, direct and conduct acceptance process at stage 4 and directs the disposal process at stage 6 for facilities no longer required.
• Maintain close working relationships with PMO and other Programme Directors to ensure coherent delivery of capabilities across the DOTMLPFI.

Essential Qualifications / Experience:

• University Degree in civil engineering or related discipline and 4 years post related experience.
• At least 4 years proven leading role in programme management and resource experience in a large organization.
• At least 5 years' leading experience within infrastructure and facilities Programmes within the last 10 years.
• Experience in the  infrastructure and facilities business in the military or industry or both.

Language:

• English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Desirable Qualifications / Experience:

• Chartered/Professional Civil Engineer or Military Engineer or equivalent accreditation in professional institution.
• Understanding of the NATO Governance and Management model for common funded capabilities.
• Qualified Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).
• Qualified PRINCE 2 or equivalent.
• At least 5 years experience in the airbasing infrastructure in the military or industry.

Attributes/Competencies:

Personal Attributes:

• The incumbent must have good interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with others to produce coordinated and cohesive branch outputs.  In addition, the post requires clarity of thought, the ability to analyse and extract information from a variety of sources and propose sound and well-reasoned solutions clearly and articulately.  There is also a requirement for international travel as part of the duties of this post and to work outside normal working hours occasionally.
• The incumbent must possess good communication skills in speech and writing. Evn under pressure he/she will display team spirit and be able to encourage others to respond to tasks in a pro-active manner. The incumbent must be self-motivated and take the initiative to ensure relevant situations are addressed appropriately.
• The duties require a capacity for original thought and an ability to apply a theoretical approach to a practical problem as well as demonstrate the anbility to perform lateral thinking. The environment in which this position functions remains one where the demand for personnel integrity is of high importance. The frequest transition of personnel serviced by the incumbent stipulates a necessity for educational ability and a need for extensive patience, tact and diplomacy.
• This post will be required to interface with staff at all levels of NATO and Nations, representing the Branch at meetings, inspections and conferences, presenting to those groups if necessary.  These contacts will be both formal and informal.  This post will be required to interface with others at all levels and to actively participate in identifying solutions and proposals, but will not normally be expected to commit the organization without consultation and agreement within the Branch head.  A good standard of interpersonal skills is required.

Managerial Responsibilities:

This post may require incumbent to lead the work of one or more military posts in a team environment and supervise varying number of contractors as required, but the incumbent must also be able to work as part of a team drawn from within and beyond the Branch, persuading and reasoning to achieve solutions. The individual will be guided where required by virtue of knowledge or experience.

Professional Contacts:

This post will be required to interface up to OF-6/7 and regularly contact the governance level both military and civilian. The incumbent will also be required to interface with staff at all levels of NATO and Nations in the development of Programme Plans, representing the Branch at meetings, inspections and conferences. These contacts will be both formal and informal and will entail both public and private civilians from nations. This post will be required to interface with others at all levels and to actively participate in identifying solutions and proposals, and will be expected to commit the organization within agreed parameters of direction and guidance from the Branch Head/ACOS. The incumbent will command the ability to discuss complex issues, devise convincing arguments to persuade and needs to exhibit negotiating skills in dealing with senior staff of internal and external agencies, demonstrating awareness of political sensitivities, diplomacy and persuasion.

Contribution To Objectives:

The post has a direct impact on the Branch ability to meet objectives; a key output will be timely submission of Programme Plans and constituent project documentation. The work of the incumbent impacts both directly and indirectly to the work and objectives of HQ ACT. This will include analysis to assist others to make decisions, and responsibility for actually making decisions which may commit ACT to a plan of action.

Security Clearance

The successful applicant will be required to apply for and receive a NATO SECRET Security Clearance prior to final confirmation of contract and commencement of employment.

Contract

Serving NATO International Civilian staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the NATO Civilian Personnel Regulations.  Newly recruited staff will be offered a three year definite duration contract.

Notes for Candidates

The HQ SACT web site gives full details on the eligibility criteria and application processes to be adopted by all candidates.  However, candidates should particularly note:

Please answer each of the pre-screening questions completely in English. Expressions such as: "please see attached CV, please see annex, please see enclosed document, etc" are not acceptable; this is a cause of immediate rejection of the application.

Particular attention should be given to Education and Experience section of your application form, which should be populated with details of your career to date and educational achievements and certifications as they relate to your application.

The candidature of NATO redundant staff at grade G17 will be considered with priority.

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection prepared, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO's sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

NATO is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to provide equal access to employment, advancement and retention, independent of gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, cultural background, sexual orientation, and disability. NATO welcomes applications of nationals from all member Nations, and strongly encourages women to apply.

This vacancy will close on 7 September 2026 @ 17:59hrs (EDT)/11:59hrs (CEST).