Program Management Associate Director

Program Management Associate Director

We are seeking a Program Management Associate Director for our Bumblebee program who will be responsible for working with senior management to establish strategic plans and objectives as it relates to supporting a mission-critical Ground Segment infrastructure for government satellite operations. If you are drawn to the technical rigor of space systems, this role places you at the center of a National Security Missions group dedicated to full-lifecycle ground architecture. You'll work alongside a highly skilled, cross-functional team solving complex, real-world challenges that directly impact mission success and national security outcomes. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge space technologies in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

This position requires an active TS/SCI Clearance(A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end program execution for ground segment development, ensuring cost, schedule, and performance baselines are met across all satellite operations deliverables and contract milestones.
• Own program financial performance, managing budgets, funding profiles, and Estimates to Complete while proactively surfacing variances and corrective actions to senior leadership.
• Serve as the primary customer interface, leading program status reviews, change board discussions, and stakeholder engagements to maintain alignment on ground segment priorities and mission timelines.
• Drive risk and opportunity management by maintaining the program risk register, ensuring mitigations are funded and resourced, and escalating critical items ahead of major decision gates.
• Manage cross-functional dependencies and subcontractor performance, holding internal teams and vendors accountable to integrated schedule commitments and contract deliverable quality.
• Ensure contract compliance and deliverable acceptance, working closely with contracts, finance, and quality assurance to meet all contract deliverables, and performance indicator targets.
• Partner with senior leadership to shape program strategy, including growth planning, follow-on positioning, and alignment of ground segment investments with broader organizational and customer objectives.
• Lead proposal development and capture efforts for follow-on contracts, modifications, and new business pursuits, driving win strategies, basis of estimates, and management volume development.
• Deliver clear, concise briefings to executive leadership and customers on program health, emerging risks, resource needs, and key decisions requiring action.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing program team, setting priorities, removing obstacles, and fostering accountability across engineering, operations, and delivery staff.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or science required; advanced degree preferred
• 12+ years of U.S. Government (USG) program/project management experience, preferably supporting Department of Defense (DoD) and/or Intelligence Community (IC) satellite or ground segment programs
• 57 years of engineering or technical foundation experience sufficient to credibly lead multidisciplinary teams and engage in informed program-level trade discussions
• Demonstrated experience managing programs using Scaled Agile (SAFe) or hybrid delivery frameworks
• Proven ability to manage cost, schedule, and performance baselines across complex, multi-vendor programs with competing priorities and firm deadlines
• Strong executive communication skills able to distill complex program status, risks, and recommendations into clear, confident briefings tailored to diverse audiences
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment and decisiveness, able to assess ambiguous situations and drive effective solutions
• Track record of building trusted relationships with senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams to achieve shared program outcomes
• Proactive mindset consistently identifies process improvements, shares knowledge, and raises the performance of those around them

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Accreditation (APMP, PMI or equivalent)

Additional Requirements:

• Be able to travel up to 20%
• Be a U.S. citizen

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Iridium Satellite Communications