Program Director

JOB TITLE: Motor-Life Boat 47’ (USCG) Program Director – Birdon America

JOB TYPE: Full Time

LOCATION: Portland, CT

REPORTS TO: President Birdon America

SALARY: $190K - $220K

TRAVEL : 35%

SUMMARY:

The Motor-Life Boat 47’ (MLB) Program Director will oversee and lead the service life extension program (SLEP) that will see 107 (MLBs) extensively re-fitted to provide a further 20-year life extension for the U.S. Coast guard. The MLB SLEP is operated across two facilities being a company owned facility in Portland (CT) and leased facility in Bellingham (WA). This position reports to the President of Birdon America and is responsible for all aspects of the execution of this Program. This position manages and directs all phases of the program and subprojects to include initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and closing. Working closely with assigned Program Managers in both Portland (CT) and Bellingham (WA), the Program Director will ensure successful execution throughout the program lifecycle.

The Program Director will collaborate closely with their U.S. Coast Guard counterparts to ensure a healthy relationship for the 47’ MLB SLEP Program and future endeavors.

The position requires strong interpersonal relationships with subordinates, peers, senior management, and external contacts regarding the role's functional areas of expertise. The position mandates previous P&L experience and will be accountable for the financial performance of the Program which the Program Director will report on monthly.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Develops prime contract strategy and plan. Participates in prime contract (and variation) negotiations including the negotiations of client/customer deliverables and the schedule for such deliverables.

• Monitors and controls all contractual commitments to ensure that all work is performed in accordance with the specifications, drawings, and terms of the contract, that a risk register, and trend program are in place, change orders and claims are processed in a timely manner. Ensures that all Customer communications on the prime contract are documented.
• Ensures scope, design basis and objectives are defined, best practices/lessons learned reviewed, detailed work plans, schedules, budgets, and procedures are established, including Production Sequence. Obtains concurrence by members of the project team, functional management, and the Customer.
• Develops and approves reporting measuring progress/performance, providing early warning of deviations from Production Sequence (cost, schedule, and quality). Implements corrective actions to meet Customer schedule.
• Establishes an appropriate, integrated organizational structure, including home office functional and specialist support. Defines and communicates roles, responsibilities and authorities to Program Managers and Project team members/partners and the Customer to ensure project completion in a safe manner, within budget, on schedule, and in conformance with the appropriate standards, specifications, and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Supervises the development of budgets and schedules, manages performance, reports progress, and initiates action to assure program/program objectives and schedules are met and work is performed within budget and according to specifications.

• Accountable for monthly P&L reporting as part of Job Cost meetings. Proactively pursues avenues to improve program profitability, with tactical approach to leveraging vendor relationships, Customer design changes and workforce optimization as key levers.

• Monitors cash flow to minimize the use of Birdon America capital resources on the project. Proactively manages the Condition Found Reports (CFR) and DD250 process with Customer to ensure acceptance and of timely receipt of cash flows.
• Reviews and approves bid tabulations for commitments on all major purchase orders, contracts, and sub-contracts, and approves critical changes in accordance with the delegated commitment authority.

• Identifies quality requirements and ensures the proper processes are identified and implemented to achieve contractual quality commitments. Assesses customer perception of quality on a regular periodic basis.
• Conducts periodic program and Customer meetings consistent with the program communications plan to promote and facilitate communication and positive relationships, review progress/performance, discuss issues and facilitate problem resolution constructively.

• Oversees Document Control and Records Management. Coordinates the documentation and software turnover package to the client at the end of program. Ensures that customer standards for documentation and electronic files are maintained, as appropriate.
• Oversees the Environmental, Safety & Health (ES&H) program for both the office, marina (ship-yard) and manufacturing environments including subcontractor activities.
• Establishes a plan to provide training opportunities for program personnel. In additional ensures that when program reaches full rate production we have sourced and secured the appropriately qualified personnel to support production schedules at Portland (CT) and Bellingham (WA).
• Leads the management concept of Continuous Improvement (CI) among all members of the IPT.
• Supports team with Trials/Testing and deployment of ILS with training and warranty support.

QUALIFICATIONS & ATTRIBUTES

ESSENTIAL

Management - The ability to work within tight deadlines and multi-task various activities in an organized manner.

Oral & Written Comprehension & Expression - Candidate must have excellent communication, teamwork, leadership, conflict management, and critical thinking skills.

Lead safety and quality through personal example.

Bachelor’s degree in related technical field, 10+ years of experience, and or cross functional acquisitional experience (Operations, Engineering, Finance and or Contracts).

DOD or DHS Program Management Experience within a ship manufacturing environment.

Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification from Program Management Institute (PMI).

Skills:

• Automation - MS Office, Program.
• Process - Understanding of the program management process as defined by the PMI PMBOK. Understanding of the DOD acquisition and procurement process preferred.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others. Ensuring that all aspects of the program are met on and according to schedule.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems and possess analytical skills.
• Writing & Speaking - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Attributes:

• Management - Ability to work within tight deadlines and multi-task various activities in an organized manner.
• Oral Expression - Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Expression - Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Written Comprehension - Ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension - Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Deductive Reasoning - Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Problem Sensitivity - Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Physical Requirements:

• Position requires use of computer, telephones, and other office equipment, reading, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending, climbing, listening, and hearing ability and visual acuity.
• Position occasionally requires ability to work in a manufacturing environment and boats from the beginning of production through the sea trails. This includes mobility to work in and around incomplete aluminium hull structures.
• Ability to lift packages, equipment, etcetera, up to 50 lbs.

Relationships:

Birdon’s senior management team, including Executive and Functional Managers, may provide additional direction and duties from time to time.

Clear communication and people skills are necessary as direct contact with Birdon clients, prospective clients, and production team is an important aspect of this position. It is your responsibility to ensure that Birdon’s values and interests are maintained in support of the customer during all internal and external communications.