Director Program Delivery

This role is Hybrid Ottawa. To support our Delivery function, we are seeking a Director, Program Delivery to join our team in Ottawa on a full-time basis. The Director, Program Delivery is responsible for the delivery and management of a portfolio of complex programs, ensuring the profitable execution, delivery, and customer satisfaction for all projects and programs under their remit. The Director, Program Delivery will serve as the primary escalation point for customer challenges, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and drive continuous improvement in program execution and delivery. The Director, Program Delivery will also be expected to support program execution through the coaching of project and program managers on risks and issues which may impact program delivery and performance.

The Director, Program Delivery will be expected to work closely with their relevant counterparts in Services, Engineering, Supply Chain and Procurement on the delivery of projects/programs. The Director, Program Delivery will be responsible for coordination across the Delivery organization in direct support of the VP, Delivery.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Oversee the execution of a portfolio of programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives, strategic priorities, and client expectations.
• Ensure the Projects are correctly planned and executed by the responsible project managers in achievement of financial targets (Order Intake Growth, Sales Revenue, Gross Margin) as defined by the company.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for the resolution of customer issues across all programs, ensuring rapid response and effective communication.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of Project Managers and Program Managers, establishing delivery priorities, ensuring adherence to governance standards, and driving accountability for program execution, customer satisfaction, and achievement of business objectives.
• Implement effective contract and claim management in all projects to increase the contractual margin and protect the company against liability claims.
• Develop and implement program governance structures and performance metrics to maximize efficiency and quality.
• Foster a customer-oriented culture, proactively anticipating risks and taking corrective action to ensure program delivery and satisfaction.
• Coordinate and facilitate collaboration across functional teams (engineering, finance, operations, supply chain, services, procurement, etc.).
• Monitor program progress, identify risks and issues, and drive timely resolutions to maintain program schedules, budgets, and scope.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with executive sponsors, customers, stakeholders, and partners.
• Accountable directly to the VP delivery for the execution of all programs under their remit through the application of Earned Value Management (EVM), Risk and Schedule Management and Leadership of all project and program managers working within their domain.
• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments, regulations, and company policies.
• Prepare and present regular status reports, forecasts, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Chair Monthly Program Reviews, supporting and challenging Project and Program Managers to ensure that program performance is on time and on budget.
• Lead the development and management of Departmental budgets and Multi-Year Budget projections for all projects and programs under their remit.
• Lead the generation and presentation of Business Opportunity and Risk (BOR) program reporting, including Risks and Opportunities which may affect the financial forecasts associated with the projects and programs.
• Present the BOR to the requisite Business Line, GBU or Region Executives.
• Establish and maintain Director level relationships across all customers in the assigned portfolio.
• Collaborate with the VP, Operations and Chief Performance Officer to implement performance metrics across program execution to drive execution efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Must be able to Act for VP Delivery.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Management, or related field.
• 10+ years’ experience in program/project management, preferably in defence industry.
• Proven track record of managing large and complex programs.
• Mastery level skills in EVM and Risk Management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and risk management abilities, especially in customer-facing environments.
• Proficiency with program management tools and methodologies (PMP or similar certification preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a complex, multidisciplinary, matrix organization.

Special Position Requirements

• Type of Role: Hybrid (Home/Office) – flexibility to work from home, but expected to be in office a minimum of 3 days per week and as required to support the business.
• 40 hours per week.
• Physical Environment: Office environment.
• Travel: Approximately 10% domestic and international travel, as required to support customer engagements, program reviews, business operations, and strategic initiatives.

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program. Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period. Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability. Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.