Program Director

Who we are:

Raft (https://teamraft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional small business with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development, with headquarters in McLean, VA. Our range of clients include innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting edge tech stack, and cloud native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

We’re looking for an experienced Program Director to support our customers and join our passionate team of high-impact problem solvers. This is a unique opportunity to help build and shape a game-changing organization where we put our customers and people first.

About the role:

As Program Director, you will be instrumental in driving year-over-year growth, owning the P&L, and winning contract recompetes. This role involves developing and executing strategies to grow existing businesses and generate new business. You will develop a deep understanding of the existing and prospective customer base, their planned programmatic and technical roadmaps, resourcing, and the competitive landscape to develop creative but realistic pathways to growth. You will work across leadership teams to maximize contract value and ensure cost, schedule, and performance metrics are met or exceeded. 

• Growth and Strategy Development:
  • Lead market analysis to identify and develop new opportunities within the DoD and IC.
  • Develop and execute strategies to achieve YoY growth targets and expand existing accounts.
  • Ensure account  growth through strategic business development.
• Financial and Operational Management:
  • Oversee the P&L for the defense sector, ensuring financial targets are met.
  • Monitor financial performance and implement strategies to drive profitability and cost efficiency.
• Technical Solutions and Service Differentiators:
  • Develop and promote AI/ML and data software platform differentiators to enhance our value proposition.
  • Manage the delivery of our solutions, ensuring they meet client needs and comply with industry regulations.
• Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Engage with clients to understand their technical needs and provide tailored solutions.
  • Maintain and strengthen client relationships, ensuring alignment with evolving needs.
• Internal Collaboration and Leadership:
  • Collaborate with internal teams to integrate client feedback into service design and delivery.
  • Lead efforts in developing new revenue models and service opportunities, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Strategic Planning and Support:
  • Develop and implement long-term growth strategies for the Command and Control portfolio.
  • Support sales strategies and business development efforts for defense and technical services.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading complex development programs within the aerospace or defense industry, including significant experience with the Air Force and Space Force
• At least 5 years of experience owning and executing P&L and achieving financial targets for over 100M portfolio
• Demonstrated ability to operate in high-pressure situations and adjust to changing priorities
• Deep understanding of U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and related defense sectors through prior military, civilian, contractor, or commercial sales experience
• Strong knowledge of compliance requirements, and government contracting processes, including OTAs
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in developing and presenting technical solutions
• Experience in offensive and defensive cyber, digital modernization, engineering and architecture, or data management is desirable
• Extensive experience in managing and growing technical solutions within the DoD
• Proven track record of successful program management driving cost, schedule, and performance
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity technologies, industry trends, and compliance requirements, including FedRAMP and NIST regulations
• Experience supporting Air Force C2 sectors, with a deep understanding of their mission requirements
• Comprehensive knowledge of government contracting and acquisition processes
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with experience in managing diverse internal and external resources to align efforts and achieve common goals
• Proven ability to develop and execute tactical business cases, identify and capture new opportunities, and form strategic business and technology partnerships
• Proficiency in managing client relationships, including consultative engagements, and maintaining ongoing interactions
• Strong communication skills, with oversight of sector proposal and capture efforts
• B.S. or M.S. in engineering, business, or a related field

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Secret security clearance

Work Type:

• Hanscom AFB, MA
• Ability to travel up to 10%

What we will offer you:  

• Highly competitive salary 
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage 
• 401(k) and company match 
• Unlimited PTO + 11 paid holidays 
• Education & training benefits 
• Annual budget for your tech/gadgets needs 
• Monthly box of yummy snacks to eat while doing meaningful work 
• Team off-site in fun places! 
• Generous Referral Bonuses 
• And More!

Our Vision Statement:  

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission.

Our Customer Obsession:

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there?

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm.

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.