Program Manager

Location: Dubai, United Arab EmiratesThales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.For over 50 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the United Arab Emirates, providing innovative and cutting-edge solutions in Defence, Aeropsace and Cyber & Digital, aligned with the nation’s long-term vision. With a strong local presence and more than 500 employees across three offices, Thales is deeply embedded within the UAE’s ecosystem. Thales Emarat Technologies plays a pivotal role as a key industrial enabler, fostering national sovereignty, self-reliance, and innovation. Through localization, strategic collaboration, and exporting ‘Made in the Emirates’ technologies to global markets, we contribute significantly to the UAE’s ambitious growth and development while helping build a future we call all trust.

Position Summary

Responsible for supporting the Emirates Portfolio Director as well as the respective Program Directors based in the USA in the execution of the Emirates Programs from Sales handover through delivery of the final aircraft and closure of commitment letter items. Additionally, responsible for leading and directing the Discovery Dubai (DD) employees (Content Integration team members, LFM (lab facility management) and other local engineers) in coordination with their respective US based organizational leaders. In coordination with the USA PM Leadership, be responsible for the cost and schedule performance and risk management for the Emirates Programs. Coordinates with internal Thales organizations, to communicate customer requirements and execute the program with technical accuracy, consistency and profitability as well as managing the communications and relations with customer/s.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• As the local PM, support the PM Directors in meeting on a regular (daily preferred - at least once per week) with key Emirates representatives at the Emirates Offices or hosting Emirates within DD and clearly communicate key messages from Emirates to Thales teammates (PM team in the USA, AGS (USA and Dubai) and Sales Team (Dubai).
• As the local PM, represents the USA PM Team by attending (in person as needed) Dubai morning meetings and passing key information and actions back to the USA PM and Engineering teammates.
• As the local PM, represents the USA PM Team by attending the In-Service performance reviews at Emirates along with AGS teammates and being the PM focal for in-service issues while keeping USA Teammates well informed and secured USA support as required.
• Lead the DD Team to ensure they have defined work scope with clear deliverables in accordance with Customer and Program requirements and milestone objectives for both H/W and S/W topics . . . as required local DD labs, Irvine HW and SW development activities.
• Support the bid process for Sales and Bid Management, by developing Program Management bid inputs, identifying risks and coordinating technical responses.
• Participate in the handover meeting from Sales and Bid Management to Program Management.
• Coordinate with the functional managers to identify and establish a cross-functional program team in accordance with the established Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Develop the program Bill of Materials (BOM). Identify risk areas and seek to stabilize the BOM as early in the program as possible in order to satisfy contractual deliveries.
• Conduct the internal program Kick Off Meeting (KOM) to facilitate communication of the airline customer expectations, and the delivery schedule for parts/services and documentation necessary
• Ensure Internal Change Orders (ICOs) are released in a timely manner within normal production lead times, to the maximum extent allowed by the customer agreement.
• Direct and oversee program activities to assure the accomplishment of program objectives in a profitable way that meets or exceeds customer and Thales expectations.
• For new programs, implement the Manage Program (MAP) program tracking tool. Once the MAP is set up, maintain and update of the program MAP on a frequent basis. Ensure that accurate program records are maintained in accordance with current document retention and filing processes.
• Maintain a program master schedule including key program milestones, technical data deliverables and critical path decision gates
• Conduct regular program team meetings to review schedule performance, cost performance BOM status, risk areas and customer satisfaction. Risk management is a key role of a program manager inclusive of documentation in accordance with the current risk management tracking tools.
• Routinely assess program financial profit and loss data for the assigned program. Monitor non-recurring cost expenditures to ensure alignment with program budgets and spending plan. Manage budget changes, monitor actual expenditures and estimate financials at program completion as well as the work remaining to complete the program. Coordinate closely with finance.
• Correspond directly with the external airline customer, aircraft manufacturer and seat supplier as directed and approved by the supervising Program Manager. Ensure all correspondence is high quality, accurate and timely and respects the intellectual property agreements in place.
• Prepare for, and participate in, program milestone meetings such as Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs), Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), First Article Inspections (FAIs), Program Management Reviews (PMRs) and other applicable meetings.
• Assist the Finance Department in the receipt of Purchase Orders (POs) from airline customers and aircraft manufacturers. Ensure POs are received in advance of committed shipping dates to avoid potential revenue gaps and customer satisfaction issues.
• Close the project (archiving documents, closing expenditure authorizations) by capitalizing and sharing the enterprise experience.

Minimum Requirements: Skills, Experience, Education, Technical/Specialized Knowledge, Certifications, Language

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 7-9+ years of experience or a Master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 5+ years of experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of program management or PMO experience
• Experience working in the aviation industry or on international avionics projects
• Demonstrated customer facing skill set with high level decision makers
• Proven financial savvy specifically in business case development and value proposition
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and efficiency
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from various stakeholders.
• Strong numerical skills and expert capabilities with analyzing large data sets using excel
• Able to proficiently operate MS Office applications, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Visio.
• Strong interpersonal communications skills and the ability to motivate others
• Ability to manage multiple time sensitive projects and work independently

Preferred Qualifications:

• IPMA or PMP Certification preferred
• Regional experience within UAE or Qatar
• FAA Certification experience
• Familiarity with SAP, Primavera, Microsoft Project tools.
• Demonstrates accountability and leadership competencies to lead teams as well as individual business results
• Well versed and have hands on experience to demonstrate competence on below aspects of Project Management in a fast-paced international business environment where daily decision making and actions are required

• Project Planning - able to consolidate and document the fundamental components of a project such as requirements, scope, schedule, resource planning, budgets, risks and quality requirements to produce a quality change order
• Customer Relations Management - understand the customer through the hard and soft information that is received to ensure that the bid/project deliverables mirror the customer’s vision and philosophy as closely as possible.
• IPMA or PMP Certification preferred
• Regional experience within UAE or Qatar
• FAA Certification experience
• Familiarity with SAP, Primavera, Microsoft Project tools.
• Demonstrates accountability and leadership competencies to lead teams as well as individual business results
• Well versed and have hands on experience to demonstrate competence on below aspects of Project Management in a fast paced international business environment where daily decision making and actions are required
• Project Planning - able to consolidate and document the fundamental components of a project such as requirements, scope, schedule, resource planning, budgets, risks and quality requirements to produce a quality change order
• Customer Relations Management - understand the customer through the hard and soft information that is received to ensure that the bid/project deliverables mirror the customer’s vision and philosophy as closely as possible.

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