Gooch & Housego Keene
ABOUT US
G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.
Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto‑optic, electro‑optic, crystal‑optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy‑five years.
ROLE The Program Director will lead and own key end‑to‑end programs (from capture, program definition, engineering, delivery, through to aftermarket and customer satisfaction) for G&H’s North American defense, commercial space and related photonics/optical systems business. This role will require working flexibly in a fast‑paced, evolving environment, coordinating across multiple sites, disciplines and functions (sales, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain), and interfacing with customers and executive leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the full lifecycle of assigned programs: program capture/definition, contract negotiation (in concert with sales), program planning and execution, delivery to customer, post‑delivery support and customer relationship.
Serve as the primary internal and external program interface: act as the customer‑facing executive sponsor for the program, engaging senior customer stakeholders, G&H site leadership, operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, and other functions.
Develop and maintain the program execution plan: schedule, milestones, deliverables, technical/engineering scope, budgets, resourcing, risk mitigation, quality & compliance (especially critical in A&D/space).
Monitor program performance: cost tracking, schedule adherence, technical performance, quality/reliability metrics, risk & issue log, corrective actions. Report regularly to the Global Head of Sales and other executive stakeholders on program status, forecasts, opportunities and threats.
Facilitate cross‑functional teamwork across multiple G&H sites (engineering, manufacturing, test, supply chain) to ensure seamless program execution.
Travel across North America to customer and internal sites: customer engagement, program reviews, site visits, mitigation of issues, strengthening relationships, business development support.
Develop and deliver customer proposals, ensuring alignment between program execution plans, commercial commitments and compliance.
Drive continuous improvement: identify program execution lessons learned, best practices, capture synergies across programs, drive standardization and process optimization across sites.
Maintain strong oversight of contractual, compliance and regulatory obligations (especially relevant in defense/space markets).
Establish and maintain strong customer relationships at senior level to ensure long‑term program success.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or related field). Advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS) but not required.
Significant experience (10+ years) in program management / program directorship in an engineering‑/project‑based organization, ideally in aerospace, defense, commercial space or high‑precision manufacturing sectors.
Demonstrated experience in program capture, proposal/contract interface, commercial/business‑development collaboration, and full program lifecycle execution.
Proven track record working in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
Sales experience or strong customer‑facing exposure.
Strong cross‑functional leadership skills across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness and ability to travel across North America frequently.
Experience in defense/commercial space environments is highly desirable.
Strong business acumen: able to translate technical/engineering issues into commercial impact.
PREFERRED/DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
Hands‑on mindset: comfortable rolling up sleeves while operating at strategic/program level.
Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate and mitigate program risks.
Entrepreneurial and adaptable; thrives in a change‑heavy environment.
Collaborative and influential across geographies and site locations.
Results‑driven with strong record of on‑time, on‑budget, on‑spec delivery.
Global mindset: works effectively with international teams.
Passion for photonics/optics/advanced technology.
KEY METRICS OF SUCCESS
Program schedule adherence: % of milestones met vs plan
Program cost performance: % cost variance vs budget
Customer satisfaction/retention: post‑delivery feedback, follow‑on business
Risk mitigation: number/severity of escalated issues, corrective actions
Internal cross‑site collaboration effectiveness
New business support and proposal conversion rate
Process improvement implementation and efficiencies realized
WORKING CONDITIONS & TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS The role is primarily remote but requires a suitable presence at applicable G&H sites as needed. Frequent travel (up to 30‑50% of time) across North America to customer sites, program reviews, and internal visits. Must be able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.
The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
In the instance that the position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations U.S. Export Control Laws, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations EAR and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR. To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within G&H that may present access to export‑controlled technical data, G&H must assess whether candidates are U.S. persons as defined under the EAR (15 C.F.R. Part 772) and the ITAR (22 C.F.R. § 120.15). Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this position.
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Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto‑optic, electro‑optic, crystal‑optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy‑five years.
ROLE The Program Director will lead and own key end‑to‑end programs (from capture, program definition, engineering, delivery, through to aftermarket and customer satisfaction) for G&H’s North American defense, commercial space and related photonics/optical systems business. This role will require working flexibly in a fast‑paced, evolving environment, coordinating across multiple sites, disciplines and functions (sales, engineering, operations, quality, supply chain), and interfacing with customers and executive leadership.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the full lifecycle of assigned programs: program capture/definition, contract negotiation (in concert with sales), program planning and execution, delivery to customer, post‑delivery support and customer relationship.
Serve as the primary internal and external program interface: act as the customer‑facing executive sponsor for the program, engaging senior customer stakeholders, G&H site leadership, operations, engineering, supply chain, quality, and other functions.
Develop and maintain the program execution plan: schedule, milestones, deliverables, technical/engineering scope, budgets, resourcing, risk mitigation, quality & compliance (especially critical in A&D/space).
Monitor program performance: cost tracking, schedule adherence, technical performance, quality/reliability metrics, risk & issue log, corrective actions. Report regularly to the Global Head of Sales and other executive stakeholders on program status, forecasts, opportunities and threats.
Facilitate cross‑functional teamwork across multiple G&H sites (engineering, manufacturing, test, supply chain) to ensure seamless program execution.
Travel across North America to customer and internal sites: customer engagement, program reviews, site visits, mitigation of issues, strengthening relationships, business development support.
Develop and deliver customer proposals, ensuring alignment between program execution plans, commercial commitments and compliance.
Drive continuous improvement: identify program execution lessons learned, best practices, capture synergies across programs, drive standardization and process optimization across sites.
Maintain strong oversight of contractual, compliance and regulatory obligations (especially relevant in defense/space markets).
Establish and maintain strong customer relationships at senior level to ensure long‑term program success.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or related field). Advanced degree preferred (MBA, MS) but not required.
Significant experience (10+ years) in program management / program directorship in an engineering‑/project‑based organization, ideally in aerospace, defense, commercial space or high‑precision manufacturing sectors.
Demonstrated experience in program capture, proposal/contract interface, commercial/business‑development collaboration, and full program lifecycle execution.
Proven track record working in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
Sales experience or strong customer‑facing exposure.
Strong cross‑functional leadership skills across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and test.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness and ability to travel across North America frequently.
Experience in defense/commercial space environments is highly desirable.
Strong business acumen: able to translate technical/engineering issues into commercial impact.
PREFERRED/DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
Hands‑on mindset: comfortable rolling up sleeves while operating at strategic/program level.
Strategic thinker with ability to anticipate and mitigate program risks.
Entrepreneurial and adaptable; thrives in a change‑heavy environment.
Collaborative and influential across geographies and site locations.
Results‑driven with strong record of on‑time, on‑budget, on‑spec delivery.
Global mindset: works effectively with international teams.
Passion for photonics/optics/advanced technology.
KEY METRICS OF SUCCESS
Program schedule adherence: % of milestones met vs plan
Program cost performance: % cost variance vs budget
Customer satisfaction/retention: post‑delivery feedback, follow‑on business
Risk mitigation: number/severity of escalated issues, corrective actions
Internal cross‑site collaboration effectiveness
New business support and proposal conversion rate
Process improvement implementation and efficiencies realized
WORKING CONDITIONS & TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS The role is primarily remote but requires a suitable presence at applicable G&H sites as needed. Frequent travel (up to 30‑50% of time) across North America to customer sites, program reviews, and internal visits. Must be able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.
The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.
In the instance that the position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations U.S. Export Control Laws, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations EAR and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR. To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within G&H that may present access to export‑controlled technical data, G&H must assess whether candidates are U.S. persons as defined under the EAR (15 C.F.R. Part 772) and the ITAR (22 C.F.R. § 120.15). Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for evaluation purposes only. Failure to provide the necessary information in this regard will result in our inability to consider you further for this position.
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