Program Director

Simsbury, CT

Graham, KY

Full time

REQ107799

This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions. Click here (https://www.eba-d.com/) to learn more.

Job Description

At Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company (EBAD), we believe that our strengths are built on our most important resource—our people. Join EBAD and you’ll be part of a team creating cutting-edge technology that will blast us into the future. No other company can match the innovative, energetic solutions that we provide. At EBAD, you will actively contribute to successful missions, putting men, women, and satellites into space while protecting our armed service members around the world. If this is the culture and work environment you are seeking, then EBAD is the place for you!

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and commercially minded Program Director to lead major programs within EBAD’s Warfighter Division. This individual will own customer relationships, program execution, financial performance, and long-term account growth across a complex portfolio of defense programs.

The Program Director will operate with an ownership mentality, balancing customer success, cost, schedule, quality, technical execution, talent development, and business growth. This leader will establish trusted customer relationships, drive accountability across cross-functional teams, and position EBAD as a differentiated partner capable of delivering on critical defense missions. The ideal candidate will bring strong program leadership, commercial acumen, a sense of urgency, and the leadership potential to progress into broader business or General Manager responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end performance across assigned programs, including customer satisfaction, cost, schedule, quality, technical execution, risk, and profitability.

• Serve as the primary customer interface and key account leader, building trusted relationships, anticipating customer needs, and strengthening EBAD’s long-term position.

• Establish and execute long-range program and account strategies while balancing near-term customer commitments and broader business objectives.

• Lead cross-functional teams across program management, operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, finance, contracts, and business development.

• Drive execution discipline, urgency, and accountability by ensuring actions are clearly owned, actively managed, and closed before they affect customer commitments or business performance.

• Effectively prioritize across multiple programs, customers, and competing business demands to maximize enterprise outcomes.

• Partner with business leaders to support growth, margin expansion, pricing strategy, contract structure, risk management, and long-term account development.

• Hold internal teams accountable for delivering customer demand and meeting cost, schedule, quality, and technical commitments.

• Identify and resolve issues proactively while maintaining clear communication with customers and internal leadership.

• Build performance-driven customer credibility that supports follow-on work, expanded opportunities, and long-term account growth.

• Contribute to Warfighter Division strategy and demonstrate the leadership, business acumen, and cross-functional influence required for future broader business or P&L leadership roles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive program management experience, preferably in aerospace, defense, space, or other complex manufacturing industries.

• Proven experience leading complex mechanical, electro-mechanical, energetics, or defense-related programs.

• Demonstrated success managing customer-facing programs with high visibility, accountability, and mission importance.

• Strong commercial acumen, including experience with margin expansion, pricing strategy, contract structure, risk management, and long-term account growth.

• Demonstrated ability to balance customer needs, business performance, and internal capability development.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across all levels of an organization.

• Strong strategic thinking, business judgment, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Demonstrated sense of urgency, ownership, follow-through, and ability to drive actions to closure.

• Evidence of building customer trust and winning follow-on work through consistent, performance-driven execution.

• Military service or military program experience is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits:

The anticipated yearly wage range for this position is $175,000 - $250,000. The salary range represents the range EBAD has established in good faith for this position and may vary based on qualifications, experience, education, skills, internal equity, and business needs.

EBAD offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; retirement benefits; paid time off and holidays; life and disability insurance; employee assistance and wellness resources; and incentive compensation eligibility, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions. Benefit eligibility may vary based on position, work location, employment status, and applicable plan provisions.

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.

EBI's 190-year history has been shaped by innovation and stewardship defining who we are today: a family-owned, independently led, and professionally managed company united by our people, Core Values, and Winning Vision. We invite you to explore our three strong businesses and discover how you can help shape the next chapter of our story.

Ensign-Bickford Industries (https://ensign-bickfordind.com/) founded in 1836, is a privately-owned high technology conglomerate that participates in businesses that are relevant to the future of the world and have multigenerational growth prospects. As One EBI, we innovate in science and technology for the safety, health, and well-being of society, creating exceptional long-term value.

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