RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 25% of the Time
Description
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems’ (NGMS) Navigation, Intelligence, and Connectivity (NIC) Division has an immediate opening for a Sr. Director, Program Management – Division Program Execution Lead. This position reports to the Vice President and General Manager of NIC, and will be located in San Diego, CA.
This position is a key leadership role within the NIC Division responsible for driving on‑contract performance, strengthening the program management bench, and improving division‑level predictability and discipline. The role is highly hands‑on and operator‑oriented, using metrics, Program Review Authority / Internal Program Reporting System (PRA/IPRS), and best practices to directly support and intervene on priority programs while enabling Operating Unit and Business Unit leaders to focus more on growth and strategy.
What You'll Get to Do:
Program Performance & Recovery:
- Drive on‑contract performance for critical programs, including revenue, margin, schedule, and customer satisfaction.
- Lead or co‑lead program interventions and recovery efforts when performance metrics trend off plan.
- Stand up and run focused control rooms, recovery cadences, Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) efforts, and other hands‑on interventions for priority programs.
- Partner with Business Unit leadership and Program Managers on key programs (e.g., division watchlist programs) by regularly participating in C101s, weekly reviews, and major customer reviews.
- Ensure lessons learned from interventions are translated into specific behavior and process changes on other programs across the division.
Program Management Bench Strength & Talent Development:
- Assess and actively shape the Program Management bench across all NIC Business Units.
- Maintain a working assessment of Program Management talent per Business Unit
- Identify, develop, and advocate for high‑potential Program Managers for larger, more complex assignments.
- Provide candid feedback and targeted coaching to key Program Managers and build a culture of continuous development in program management.
Division‑Level Predictability & Discipline:
- Lead division‑level metrics and program reviews with a focus on rigor, insight, and action – not just compliance.
- Make metrics reviews a forcing function for accountability and early risk identification.
- Improve ‘return to green’ (RTG) predictability and the quality and effectiveness of RCCAs on priority programs.
- Standardize and propagate “what good looks like” in Program Management execution, metrics, and risk/issue management across Business Units.
- Serve as the early warning system for the Division Leadership Team by providing concise, actionable summaries of key reviews, emerging risks, and recommended interventions.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant professional experience OR a Master’s degree with 8+ years of relevant professional experience.
- Significant experience in program management leading complex DoD or intelligence community development and/or production programs, with demonstrated results in cost, schedule, and performance.
- Experience leading program recovery or turnaround efforts, including root cause, corrective action, and implementation of sustainable fixes.
- Proven track record of building, leading, and developing high‑performing program management teams.
- Strong interpersonal skills that enable collaborative and trusting relationships with all levels of the organization, including executive leadership, BU VPs, and technical experts.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into concise executive‑level summaries and presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to use metrics, PRA/IPRS, risk management, and RCCA as tools to drive performance and accountability.
- Dynamic self‑starter with strong attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and the ability to prioritize and act in a fast‑paced environment with minimal direction.
- Knowledge of DoD requirements, programming, budgeting, and acquisition processes.
- U.S. Citizenship.
- Current/Active DoD SECRET clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI; OR DoE equivalent with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI and SAP clearances.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Current TS/SCI clearance.
- Prior experience in a division‑level or sector‑level Program Management leadership role (e.g., portfolio/program director, Program Management functional leader).
- Broad familiarity with Northrop Grumman’s PRA, IPRS, RTG, and program performance management practices.
- Experience working across multiple Business Units and/or major programs, influencing without direct line authority.
- Demonstrated ability to drive culture change toward proactive, metrics‑driven, and accountable execution.
Primary Level Salary Range: $266,300.00 - $399,500.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.