Director of Programs

Job Summary:

Airship AI, Inc. is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Director of Programs to lead and oversee mission-critical initiatives across our software and hardware portfolios within the Video Management Systems (VMS) domain. Based in Mooresville, NC, this role reports directly to the Vice President, Operations and is instrumental in driving the successful execution of complex, cross-functional programs that support our rapidly growing VMS product lines. Our customer set(s) include organizations/agencies within the commercial, law enforcement and USG defense sectors.

Job Description:

Position Title: Director of Programs—SW & HW-Video Management Systems (VMS)

Functional Area: Operations

Department: Program Management Office (PMO)

Immediate Supervisor: VP, Operations

Position Classification: Exempt

Position Status: Full Time, onsite-hybrid

Duty Location: Mooresville, NC

Hazardous Duty: No

Travel Required: 0-15%

Roles and Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Direct and manage a portfolio of programs involving VMS software platforms, integrated hardware solutions, and supporting infrastructure from conception to deployment.
• Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with executive leadership to align program roadmaps with the strategic objectives of Airship AI, Inc., ensuring each initiative delivers measurable impact.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering, product, operations, and customer teams to ensure seamless delivery and stakeholder alignment.
• Governance & Oversight: Implement structured program governance and reporting to maintain visibility, accountability, and consistent delivery standards across all programs.
• Budget & Resource Management: Plan and manage program budgets and staffing to optimize performance and cost efficiency.
• Risk & Issue Mitigation: Identify risks early and proactively lead mitigation strategies to keep projects on schedule and within scope.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing regular updates, reporting, and insights.
• Process Optimization: Lead continuous improvement efforts in program management methodologies, tools, and team performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree Business(s), Computer Science(s), Management(s) or relavant in field experience such as military and workforce experience could be considered in lieu of education specifics.
• Five years of program or project management experience, with two or more years in a leadership role overseeing both software and hardware projects.
• Demonstrated success managing complex programs in the Video Management Systems (VMS) industry or adjacent fields such as physical security, surveillance systems, or video analytics.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, hardware integration, and cloud-based system architectures.
• Proficiency in Agile, Scrum, and traditional PM methodologies.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project/program management certification preferred. In lieu of this certification, consideration given to candidates willing to complete within 12 months of employment
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Additional Skills

• Background in VMS architecture, IP camera systems, edge AI, or video surveillance technologies.
• Experience with third-party integrations (e.g., video analytics, AI/ML, IoT) in security environments.
• Strong working knowledge with tools such as Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, NetSuite and Microsoft 365 products (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Knowledge of compliance frameworks relevant to security and government contracting is a plus.
• Military or First Responder experience is preferred but not required.
• Integrity beyond reproach, mission first-people always mindset.