Sr. Director Research & Development - REF2609Q

Elbit Systems of America is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, commercial aviation, and medical instrumentation markets. With facilities throughout the United States, Elbit Systems of America is dedicated to supporting those who contribute daily to the safety and security of the United States. Elbit Systems of America, LLC is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications. For additional information, visit: www.elbitsystems-us.com or follow us on X.

Job Summary:

The Sr Director R&D is responsible for a R&D cost center responsible for architecting, designing, developing and transitioning to program execution Corporate level priority technology areas and associated pursuits. These programs span a wide breadth of technology areas from UASs, Launched Effects, counter UAS, soldier vision systems, radars, and Missile Warning Systems as examples. In this regard, he/she will establish, deploy, and execute R&D and capture strategies and plans to position the corporation to meet our customer's most critical needs while meeting our own strategic business objectives. Reporting to the Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer of the corporation, this position is responsible for all aspects of the commercial, financial, and operational performance of the R&D cost center business segment while teaming with the General Managers of the corporation's P&Ls for transition of the technology and associated programs. He/she is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a compelling and differentiated growth strategy and business plan across the areas assigned by the CTO and CEO. The Sr Director must have a strong external and marketplace orientation, being highly comfortable building and managing relationships with customers, partners, and suppliers, including Elbit Systems Ltd. in Israel. Additionally, the successful candidate must be able to build strong, cross functional, working relationships across the wide portfolio of Elbit America.

The position will be either REMOTE or based at the Elbit Systems of America corporate office in Fort Worth, Texas, with regular domestic and international travel as per the nature and requirements of the role.

Responsibilities and Tasks (listed in bullet format) in order of priority to be successful

• In partnership with the SVP, develop and drive the execution of the strategic growth plan for the Advanced Programs business segment as to ensure that its product and service capabilities, processes and practices are properly aligned to serve its customer base, achieve short- and long-term business goals and deliver exceptional shareholder returns.

• Consistent with the strategic plan, prepare, coordinate, present, and secure approval for the business plans and budgets for Advanced Programs, including revenue and profit targets.

• Oversee and deliver commercial, financial, and operational performance of Advanced Programs, ensuring optimal deployment of assets, human resources, and financial resources. Establish appropriate and report progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress against key business goals.

• Establish a discipline and culture of execution – working within budget, working within customer driven timelines and overall program and project management excellence.

• Ensure that the SVP and top leadership team are appropriately and sufficiently informed to make judgements on key issues and decisions.

• Establish relationships and trust with current and potential customers with the goals of securing and expanding business sales.

• Actively support business development activities – share in the revenue generation responsibilities within the business.

• Fulfill product commitments to customers and ensure satisfaction with Elbit performance. Coordinate and obtain performance commitments and resources from functional managers as required by business plans.

• Identify, prioritize, pursue, and realize organic and inorganic growth opportunities for Advanced Programs, including potential acquisitions and joint ventures.

• Provide specialist market access and/or product technology for other business ventures.

• Serve as the key catalyst for introducing new thinking, approaches, practices, processes, tools, and systems into the business segment.

• Ensure that the Advanced Programs organization has the right talent and is appropriately staffed and organized to enable it to achieve the strategy; build and develop highly effective teams and succession talent for all critical positions.

• Align the organization to optimally meet business segment and customer requirements.

• Provide strong, visible, and inspired leadership to all Advanced Programs employees, including both business segment and assigned functional staff, promoting and maintaining strong employee morale. Establish high expectations for all employees with regard to meeting performance objectives and adhering to company values.

• Build and nurture an organizational culture within the business segment that is aligned with the Company’s vision, mission, and values. Establish a culture of excellence – quality, collaboration, innovation, passion, customer focus, continuous improvement. Model behavior for others and hold the team accountable to operate in a manner consistent with them.

• Perform his/her duties following prudent and ethical business practices and other business policies and procedures as established by the Company and the Department of Defense.

• Ensure that Elbit Systems of America meets all government and corporate regulations and policies on an ongoing basis.

• Represent Elbit America to and effectively communicate and liaise with customers, suppliers, partners, employees, government authorities, and other key stakeholders.

• Serve as an integral member of the overall Elbit America leadership team that sets the company’s strategic and financial direction.

• The following critical success factors represent those deemed most critical to be accomplished in year one to ensure success:

• Establish strong, trust-based working relationships with the SVP and top leadership team and with key internal and external stakeholders across Elbit Systems of America

• Establish himself/herself as the overall leader of the Advanced Programs business segment and ensure that the organization is clearly motivated and aligned.

• Define/refine and implement the corporate strategic roadmap and growth plan for Advanced Programs and put in place action plans to realize its key objectives.

• Get smart on and drive to success high-potential new business pursuits in support of the growth plan.

• Ideally, program management and profit-and-loss leadership experience, at either the program or business-segment level.

• Brings primary functional depth in business development/sales & marketing, with additional functional exposure to engineering, program management, operations, and finance. Has strategic marking, business capture and proposal development/submission experience. The ideal candidate will have spent relevant time in technical domains (e.g., engineering program management) and since progressed to business development and general management domains.

• Experienced in the aerospace, defense, and security industry sectors.

• Ideally, brings specific experience in as many as possible of the product/program areas of greatest relevance to Elbit Systems of America, with a strong preference for those experienced within the airborne systems / advance programs area:

• Electronic Protection and Warfare Systems

• Unmanned Systems and Payloads

• Low Observable Sensitivity (LPI, Stealth)

• A demonstrated track record of driving profitable growth of a program or business segment, primarily through organic means.

• A proven track record of successful, win-win complex negotiations.

• Brings direct and proven experience selling to the U.S. Department of Defense (primary), various other U.S. government agencies (e.g., Department of Homeland Security/Customs & Border Protection), and various state and local governments as well as law enforcement agencies. Experience selling to commercial customers would also be an asset.

• Has a strong network of senior-level relationships with the customer base in the U.S. Department of Defense and/or other agencies or arms of government.

• Experienced partnering with U.S. prime defense contractors and has ideally worked within second tier aerospace and defense suppliers similar to Elbit Systems of America, versus those who have worked exclusively with larger OEM customers

• Experienced in solution-selling, with long sales cycles and multiple decision-makers and influencers.

• Internationally oriented and experienced. Has ideally represented or interacted with offshore parent companies and is experienced working with international business leaders, both in Israel and abroad. Ideally, brings an understanding of the historic relationship between U.S. and Israel, including currency in Middle East geopolitical and geo-economic affairs.

• Ideally, has demonstrated some experience working in a smaller, more entrepreneurial context wherein he/she had real or effective “ownership” of the business. Not afraid to do “real work.”

• Ideally, brings the dual benefits of pedigree training from large scale company experience, combined with more recent small/mid-sized company exposure.

• An effective ambassador and spokesperson, with experience serving in roles that have required him or her to represent the organization at senior levels with a variety of internal and external constituent groups.

• An unblemished record as related to his or her ethical integrity and that of the organizations he or she has served.

• Has an active Secret clearance or can obtain one.

Skills and Abilities

• An undergraduate degree in aerospace, engineering, or other relevant domain, ideally complemented by a Master of Business Administration. The successful candidate will ideally bring a strong technical background which would help relative to internal and external credibility with engineering and program management professionals.

Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer:

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401k program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identify Theft, Pet Insurance, and many more options
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

It has been and will continue to be the policy of Elbit Systems of America to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels based solely upon job-related qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetics or citizenship status. 

EEO STATEMENT:

Elbit Systems of America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.  Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Elbit Systems of America is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities.  If you need special assistance or an accommodation while seeking employment, please email [email protected].

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