What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Program Management Director position at Beyond Gravity?
🚀 Challenge the Impossible
About Beyond Gravity
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Beyond Gravity is not your typical space company. We're a unique blend of agility, speed, and innovation, fusing a start-up mindset with decades of industry expertise and a track record of 100% mission success. Our dynamic team of over 1800 professionals, spread across 14 locations in seven countries, is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is technically feasible. We're not just building crucial products for the satellites, launchers and semiconductor industry, we’re helping to improve life on earth.
About The Position
The Operations Program Management Director will support Beyond Gravity’s Launchers division in Alabama and help guide its organizational growth, while leveraging the Group’s extensive experience and global reputation as a leading supplier to the space market. The successful candidate will work closely with the VP Launchers Alabama and collaborate on strategies and initiatives to achieve business objectives.
The Operations Program Management Director will support the operational activities of Beyond Gravity’s Launchers Division in Alabama and will provide guidance to functional teams including Operations, Business Services, Finance, HR, Programs, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain. The incumbent’s main operational responsibilities will lie in the areas of Production, Industrialization and Manufacturing Engineering. The Operations Program Management Director will function as support to site leadership for a production site of composites for payload fairings which are built using composite technology based on aluminum honeycomb cores with carbon fiber reinforced composite cover layers. This production-heavy role will help oversee programs with partners like Amazon, ULA and Dynetics. This role requires a dynamic and hands-on operations leader with extensive experience within manufacturing of composites, ideally for the aerospace, defense and/or space market/s, or the automotive industry. The ideal candidate can move from strategy to day-to-day tactical implementation, a business builder who knows how to effectively structure and develop an organization. The successful incumbent will be a down-to-earth executive who can work well with people at all levels and disciplines. This leader will have superb communications skills and the highest level of integrity and will inspire confidence in the teams the position is supporting, as well as across the organization and externally with large suppliers and vendors.  
Your Mission
Management responsibility:
â–ª Leading cross-functional team to meet key customer requirements supporting both internal and external customers;
â–ª Serve as a change agent for business improvements, new initiatives, policies and processes. Establish credibility throughout the organization as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges;
â–ª Provide strategic planning for departmental development, set clear production and operational targets and develop procedures for effective target monitoring. Manage strategic alignment to company goals and ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly to achieve goals;
â–ª Review existing KPIs and metrics, and make amendments as needed to achieve program and company objectives;
â–ª Ensure safe and environmentally sound practices within all areas through best practices and employee involvement. Ensure conformity to all safety regulations and/or procedures and maintain a safe working environment at all times;
â–ª Ensure compliance with any relevant government and regulatory agency guidelines and laws;
â–ª Conduct periodic reviews of operational activities and evaluate operational reports;
â–ª Promote effective communication on all levels of the organization;
â–ª Cultivate an organizational culture of continuous improvement;
â–ª Liaise with the executive management team and peers to ensure that operational targets are being defined and met;
â–ª Represent the organization in important external business relationships with major clients, joint venture partners and the public.
 
Your Story
â–ª An intellectually curious self-starter with a proven track record of diving into unknown territory
â–ª An effective multi-tasker who efficiently navigates a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
â–ª Excellent at creating and maintaining working relationships across all levels and disciplines
â–ª Receptive to feedback and input from others, and quick to apply changes
▪ Enthusiastic individual who can positively interact and collaborate with a diverse group of people at all levels and disciplines – from the shop floor to the C-level
â–ª A dedicated leader who has high ethical standards and values; someone who values personal integrity and honesty with the willingness to make a long-term commitment to the organization and the mutually agreed upon objectives and metrics.
🌌Are you ready for lift-off?
Our core values - Passionate, Together, and Curious - transform challenges into opportunities. Embark on a journey to transcend the ordinary with us. Propel your career to new heights by applying. We‘re actively reviewing candidates and will promptly select the ideal fit for our team.
 
For questions regarding the position, please contact: Justin Elliott | justin.elliott@beyondgravity.com 
For questions regarding the position or recruitment process, please contact: Michelle Lach | michelle.lach@beyondgravity.com  
Beyond Gravity is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected categories.
Applications by e-mail cannot be considered. We do not accept dossiers from recruitment agencies for this position.
About Beyond Gravity
Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Beyond Gravity is not your typical space company. We're a unique blend of agility, speed, and innovation, fusing a start-up mindset with decades of industry expertise and a track record of 100% mission success. Our dynamic team of over 1800 professionals, spread across 14 locations in seven countries, is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is technically feasible. We're not just building crucial products for the satellites, launchers and semiconductor industry, we’re helping to improve life on earth.
About The Position
The Operations Program Management Director will support Beyond Gravity’s Launchers division in Alabama and help guide its organizational growth, while leveraging the Group’s extensive experience and global reputation as a leading supplier to the space market. The successful candidate will work closely with the VP Launchers Alabama and collaborate on strategies and initiatives to achieve business objectives.
The Operations Program Management Director will support the operational activities of Beyond Gravity’s Launchers Division in Alabama and will provide guidance to functional teams including Operations, Business Services, Finance, HR, Programs, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain. The incumbent’s main operational responsibilities will lie in the areas of Production, Industrialization and Manufacturing Engineering. The Operations Program Management Director will function as support to site leadership for a production site of composites for payload fairings which are built using composite technology based on aluminum honeycomb cores with carbon fiber reinforced composite cover layers. This production-heavy role will help oversee programs with partners like Amazon, ULA and Dynetics. This role requires a dynamic and hands-on operations leader with extensive experience within manufacturing of composites, ideally for the aerospace, defense and/or space market/s, or the automotive industry. The ideal candidate can move from strategy to day-to-day tactical implementation, a business builder who knows how to effectively structure and develop an organization. The successful incumbent will be a down-to-earth executive who can work well with people at all levels and disciplines. This leader will have superb communications skills and the highest level of integrity and will inspire confidence in the teams the position is supporting, as well as across the organization and externally with large suppliers and vendors.  
Your Mission
Management responsibility:
- Leads and coordinates the overall project planning within the domain, and responsible to ensure/secures execution according to project/program schedule
- Leads project controlling with inputs from assigned Finance/Project controlling stakeholders.
- Coordinates with Engineering, Operations and other applicable stakeholders to demand for resources.
- Job assignments, resource planning to meet the program needs.
- Lead project teams, targeting contract compliant execution of all relevant tasks and elaboration of all technical deliverables within the financial and timing boundary conditions
- Secure team composition in line with project requirements and in agreement with the relevant line-managers from engineering and operations, coordinating the disciplines.
- Identify and ensure the relevant communication flow within the team project-team and project management team, including periodic progress reporting to the Executive Team.
- Identify, categorize, estimate, document and mitigate risks
- Coordinates the management of relevant project/program suppliers and subcontractors.
- Act as escalation point for assigned project managers.
- Drive improvements within projects, to create value both in the short and long term.
â–ª Leading cross-functional team to meet key customer requirements supporting both internal and external customers;
â–ª Serve as a change agent for business improvements, new initiatives, policies and processes. Establish credibility throughout the organization as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges;
â–ª Provide strategic planning for departmental development, set clear production and operational targets and develop procedures for effective target monitoring. Manage strategic alignment to company goals and ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly to achieve goals;
â–ª Review existing KPIs and metrics, and make amendments as needed to achieve program and company objectives;
â–ª Ensure safe and environmentally sound practices within all areas through best practices and employee involvement. Ensure conformity to all safety regulations and/or procedures and maintain a safe working environment at all times;
â–ª Ensure compliance with any relevant government and regulatory agency guidelines and laws;
â–ª Conduct periodic reviews of operational activities and evaluate operational reports;
â–ª Promote effective communication on all levels of the organization;
â–ª Cultivate an organizational culture of continuous improvement;
â–ª Liaise with the executive management team and peers to ensure that operational targets are being defined and met;
â–ª Represent the organization in important external business relationships with major clients, joint venture partners and the public.
 
Your Story
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Space Engineering, (or any related discipline) is required, coupled with 15 years of experience
- Master’s degree in technical or business discipline would be preferred, with 10 years of experience
- Manufacturing experience in manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, test engineering materials and process engineering, or similar field in Aerospace, Automotive, or Commercial industries, or composite industries
- Expertise in Lean principles, Visual Management and 5S tools; Six Sigma certification preferred
- Demonstrated ability to effectively deal and/or work with key market drivers within the space / aerospace or similar markets is strongly desired. An existing network of industry contacts in relevant industries would be an advantage
- Global perspective and awareness, and direct experience working across diverse cultures in a multinational or foreign-based company would be beneficial. Experience with European or DACH mid-size company culture would be highly beneficial
- Leadership experience in production / operations or program management with Defense, Aerospace, Space or Commercial projects with an understanding of manufacturing quality requirements for such projects
- Technical problem-solving skills
- Particular background on launch vehicles and related systems/components would be a strong advantage
- Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels and disciplines
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to communicate complex business issues in a clear/concise manner and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
â–ª An intellectually curious self-starter with a proven track record of diving into unknown territory
â–ª An effective multi-tasker who efficiently navigates a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
â–ª Excellent at creating and maintaining working relationships across all levels and disciplines
â–ª Receptive to feedback and input from others, and quick to apply changes
▪ Enthusiastic individual who can positively interact and collaborate with a diverse group of people at all levels and disciplines – from the shop floor to the C-level
â–ª A dedicated leader who has high ethical standards and values; someone who values personal integrity and honesty with the willingness to make a long-term commitment to the organization and the mutually agreed upon objectives and metrics.
🌌Are you ready for lift-off?
Our core values - Passionate, Together, and Curious - transform challenges into opportunities. Embark on a journey to transcend the ordinary with us. Propel your career to new heights by applying. We‘re actively reviewing candidates and will promptly select the ideal fit for our team.
 
For questions regarding the position, please contact: Justin Elliott | justin.elliott@beyondgravity.com 
For questions regarding the position or recruitment process, please contact: Michelle Lach | michelle.lach@beyondgravity.com  
Beyond Gravity is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected categories.
Applications by e-mail cannot be considered. We do not accept dossiers from recruitment agencies for this position.
