Director of Programs

Director of Programs

Job details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Join Safran Aerosystems: an international leader in aviation safety, fluid management and fuel systems. Our strength? Innovating to enhance flight safety (oxygen systems, evacuation systems, flotation systems) and driving the transition toward decarbonized aviation through sustainable fuels. 6,200 employees, operations in 7 countries, and one shared objective: a safer sky.

Reference number

2026-188472

Job details

Domain

Programs / Customer Relations

Job field / Job profile

Programs - Program manager level 4

Job title

Director of Programs

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

The Director of Program Manager is responsible for leading the Program Management team and ensuring compliance with contractual commitments to the customers, ensuring customer satisfaction, meeting the objectives assigned by the company's Management and ensuring that the company meets the Business Plan objectives for the Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the construction of the strategic plan and to the elaboration of financial forecasts for his/her scope of activity.

• Build and manage the team of Program Managers:

o Define the objectives of each program manager and allocate appropriate resources, according to the strategy and challenges of the Entity or the Company.

o Ensure jointly with each Functional Department Director that the objectives and resources of the members of the IPTs are compatible with the challenges of the programs under his/her responsibility, within the limits of his/her delegations.

o Lead and evaluate the team of Program Managers.

• Coordinate and manage all programs aspects (performance, cost, quality, deadlines), for all involved processes (development, production, purchasing, support, etc.) and within the scope of his/her delegated scope of responsibility:

o Build the framework and execution conditions for programs (PROMPT/processes, training, tollgates reviews preparation/organization/steering, resources…)

o Monitor PROMPT deployment and application, especially during programs internal tollgates reviews, within the scope of his/her scope of responsibility. Following up closure, in due time, of actions associated to critical or major deviations.

o Flow down programs objectives to Company's Functional Departments and ensure they are properly taken into account by Functional Departments (e.g.: proper feeding data taken into account in the industrial planning process (ICP, Industrial and Commercial Plan) through the demand review).

o Make the necessary decisions to achieve the programs objectives,

o Ensure real-time sharing information and program managers' team cohesion around shared objectives.

o Monitor all program indicators ("programs dashboard", business plans, risks and opportunities mapping), and reporting to the company's Executive Committee.

o Evaluate the maturity of the program management process and implement continuous improvement actions/workshops within its scope of activities (One Safran workshops, etc.).

o Be the PROMPT referent within the scope of his/her activities.

But what else? (advantages, specificities, etc.)

Education and/or Experience:

• Requires 8+ years of in Business, Engineering or related field of study.

• Must possess 5 years of experience in a management position.

• Preferred: 5 years aerospace.

• Preferred: a Master's Degree in Business Administration or equivalent.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Technical background related to aerospace industry – Advanced

• Strong interpersonal skills – Expert

• Program & Project Management – Advanced

• Effective communication skills – Expert

• Excellent verbal and written skills in the English language – Expert

• Strong leadership skills – Expert

• Organizational and coordination skills – Expert

• Contract Negotiations - Advanced

Candidate skills & requirements

• Liaise with the customer:

o Ensure information shared with the customer is consistent and in alignment to the communication and escalation matrix built by program managers under his/her responsibility.

o Make the appropriate decisions to meet customer satisfaction and contractual commitments.

o Validate and arbitrate programs evolutions, monitored by Program Managers, whether they are requested by customer(s) or to be requested to the customer(s) in order to meet all programs objectives (strategy, profitability, quality, deadlines).

• Manage programs risks and opportunities:

o Consolidate risks and opportunities from the various processes related to the programs and manage risks treatment plans, ensure that risks are controlled and opportunities are implemented.

o Evaluate the maturity of programs risks management and be the company's risk manager counterpart for his perimeter.

• Responsible for developing the long term strategy of each program and leading the Program Management team to achieve company profitability goals:

o Guide Program Managers as they pilot development, entry into service and sustaining programs within the company from program inception through aftermarket and end of life activities.

o Develop long term program plans and roadmaps to meet the program profitability objectives.

o Monitor problem solving, drive root cause analysis and recovery plans to meet customer requirements.

o Develop long term forecasts based on customer requirements, contractual requirements, trends and market activity.

o Continuously evaluate the business case and drives continuous improvement initiatives.

• Responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with key customers and SAFRAN SAO / Group personnel, ensuring a deep understanding of organizational structures, paradigms and how to achieve the company objectives.

• Participate, support and lead (as required) contract negotiations with the aircraft manufacturers and military customers, ensuring compliance with all legal, ethical and Safran guidelines and standards.

• Responsible for leading and mentoring future business leaders within the company, ensuring that we are developing the next generation of senior management.

• Adheres to safe work practices and contributes to the evolution of the health, safety, and environmental program and culture.

• Regular, predictable attendance is required.

• Other duties may be assigned.

Annual salary

$152,731 - $194,732

Job location

Job location

North America, United States, New Jersey

City (-ies)

1747 NJ-34 NJ 07727 Wall Township

Applicant criteria

Minimum education level achieved

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum experience level required

More than 8 years

ITAR Controlled Position: Select "Yes" if role requires U.S. citizenship/permanent residency

No