Director, Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) Program Management (R3625) - Shield AI

Job Title: Director, Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) Program Management (R3625)
Job Location: Dallas Metro Area
Job Listing URL: https://jobs.lever.co/shieldai/dbec5b4d-9960-46d3-93c1-f5a90c4530d7
Job Description: 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., 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, YouTubeand 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