Company Overview
Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.
At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.
Position Summary, Job Requirements & Responsibilities
What We’re Looking For:Are you looking to make a significant impact by connecting people, purpose and processes? If you have a passion for leading diverse teams to achieve their potential, then you will be excited about the Executive Director, Quality and Process Maturity opening with Iridium. In this role, you will drive continuous improvements cross-functionally in project and program management, quality, and business processes. Your main focus will be to mature Iridium’s processes to scale and enable the next giant leap in satellite communications. You’ll bring enthusiasm for multiple perspectives and experience helping teams navigate the best path forward for the company.
What You’ll Do:
Foster and develop a highly effective team of 12-15 direct report professionals to advance the Iridium quality system and corporate-wide processes.
Ensure the delivered quality of our mobile products (including those manufactured and/or designed by partner companies ), network service, and software continues to be at the levels our customers expect
Lead the maturation of Iridium quality system to support increasing scale of customers and diverse delivery partners while reducing risk
Mobilize leaders and experts throughout the organization to refine and standardize business processes that improve speed, cost and predictability of doing business
Leverage own and team’s knowledge to solidify approaches to improve consistency of project management of development programs across all lines of business, including aerospace, maritime, IoT, land mobile and government.
Coach and guide teams to achieve impactful cross-functional process discovery, design and implementation
Identify priorities and align resource needs for high-ROI process improvements
Set company-wide expectations for process and quality excellence
Play a key role in maturing Iridium to apply its proven technical problem-solving acumen to business operations
Partner with IT to deploy technologies that enable business processes and iterate to achieve maximum value from technology deployments
Engage with colleagues at all levels to arrive at well-considered decisions and plans that achieve results while bolstering unity.
Experience & Education Requirements / EEO
What You’ll Need to Succeed:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technology, business/management or related field
15+ years of combined relevant experience in the areas of program management, project management, quality management, supply chain, operational excellence, and/or consulting
Industry experience in aerospace, telecommunications, and/or software development
Previous management experience of both direct and indirect reports
Capable of being a strong motivator and source of direction for your team and exemplifying commitment to your team’s goals
Excellent leadership qualities and the ability to facilitate collaboration across multiple departments
Must possess a strategic mindset to translate business needs and priorities into objectives for an entire team
The ability to identify and evaluate challenges and come up with effective solutions
Able to confidently drive discussions, make decisions, and respond to difficult situations
Have a strong sense of urgency in driving projects to completion and be motivated to achieve outcomes and results
Willingness to challenge the status quo while bringing others along through change
Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:
Masters degree in business/management with an emphasis on operations
Experience leading projects using both traditional and scaled agile planning methodologies
Quality system framework knowledge, ideally AS9100 and/or ISO9001
Operational Excellence / process transformation leadership / Lean and/or Six Sigma training and application experience to business (non-factory) processes
Consulting experience conducting process redesign, organizational transformation or similar
Program Management Office (PMO) leadership or large-program engagement
Performance management and metrics reporting, which could include Earned Value Management (EVM), executive and program dashboard design, incentive programs
Customer exposure in both commercial B2B and government / defense arenas
Risk management exposure at project and/or enterprise levels
Manufacturing and test process knowledge of PCBs, consumer electronics or avionics
Software development familiarity
We’ll also need you to:
Be on call
Be able to travel up to 25%
This position directly performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. To comply with the requirements of the U.S. government contracts, applicants for this position must be U.S. citizens.
Work Environment:
This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
Iridium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.