Director, Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) Program Management (R3625)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI’s technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram.

We are seeking a Program Director to lead a team of Program Managers in the delivery and sustainment of transformative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. In this strategic leadership role, you’ll do more than manage programs — you’ll drive innovation, expand global impact, and propel Shield AI’s commercial growth. You’ll take ownership of a growing portfolio of Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs, ensuring they not only meet but exceed operational and financial goals. From day one, your leadership will help shape the future of intelligent UAV technology and its real-world applications.

What You'll Do:

• Deliver proven, exceptional, and reliable performance in support of customer/end-user’s mission through flawless execution of Program Management and team leadership.
• Shape/codify processes and procedures to effectively collaborate, motivate, and manage relevant stakeholders required to successfully deliver programs early, under budget, and with exceptional technical performance.
• Astutely balance and rebalance shifting customer priories related to cost, schedule, and technical parameters of programs.
• Guide the initiation and sustainment of DCS contracts for Shield AI’s V-BAT systems.
• Lead the identification, development, and implementation of process improvements for DCS program management processes and tools
• Provide hands-on management of projects/programs as needed while the program grows
• Oversee customer relationships and act as the key escalation point for programs, projects, and operational performance issues
• Drive efforts to attain budget, schedule, and scope requirements
• Drive the accurate and timely tracking and reporting of budget, resource, and project management standard metrics
• Complete critical path analyses including the evaluation of potential means to accelerate the pace or mitigate identified risks
• Identify potential bottlenecks or delays in programs and drive efforts to ensure projects stay on schedule
• Partner with leadership to guide prioritization of projects and utilization of resources
• Hire and supervise a team of project and program managers as needed to support Shield AI’s rapid growth in the international sector
• Develop highly effective Program Managers responsible for planning, scheduling and controlling the activities of complex projects spanning multiple organizations
• Provide the necessary leadership and support to DCS project and program managers to manage projects in line with project management processes and associated policies and procedures
• Oversee the distribution, prioritization, quality and volume of the DCS Program Management team’s work
• Establish and lead a consistent cadence of well-organized, well-facilitated, and effective meetings, including driving all preparation and follow up activities
• Support an environment where accountability and program execution excellence are core
• Foster and facilitate collaboration and shared accountability for outcomes with Leadership
• Report directly to Shield AI’s Senior Director of Program Management

Required Qualifications:

• Senior Program Management experience for Department of Defense or International program portfolios
• Proven experience building, growing, and leading a program team
• Deep expertise in project and program management
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed
• Ability to focus on long-term business objectives
• Ability to run a large/strategic portfolio consisting of multiple interrelated programs, in a manner that is largely self-directed
• Experience with scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Significant experience and excellent skills with Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent skills in leadership, time management, organization, team management
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written ability
• Expert understanding of complex project financials
• A demonstrated record of working hard, being a trustworthy teammate, holding yourself and others to high standards, and being kind to others

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience running large scale international Programs (either DoD, FMS, or DCS)
• Familiarity with EAR / ITAR restrictions
• Familiar with international logistics
• Experience in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles or other aerospace/defense articles
• Experience with aviation training, logistics, operations, and maintenance
• Masters Degree in Business Administration or similar area of study

$170,000 - $250,000 a year

#LI-JM1

#LF

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.