Program Director - Duke (Sept-Iles)
Duke
Job Title: Program Director
On-site/ Remote/ Hybrid: Onsite
Location: Levis, QC
Job Type: Permanent
Salary: $225K+ Annually
As Program Director you will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering multiple simultaneous dry-docking work periods. In this role, you will ensure the return to service of combat vessels, meeting requirements for scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and client satisfaction.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver uncompromising performance in safety and quality; operate in compliance with Quality Management System (QMS); ensure adherence to the Controlled Goods Program and Government of Canada personnel and site security requirements (Secret/NATO as required).
- Build a high-performing and accountable team with clear objectives; mentor project managers and functional leads; integrate continuous improvement and lessons learned across all projects.
- Be responsible for the Program Execution Plan across multiple overlapping frigate projects and the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS); implement Earned Value Management System (EVMS) for performance tracking (CPI/SPI, variance analysis, risk-weighted EAC), along with a rigorous governance cycle including internal/external performance reviews, risk/opportunity boards, and material readiness reviews. Ensure prioritization and conflict resolution across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons.
- Implement proactive management of Risks, Issues, and Opportunities (RIO), covering technical, industrial, commercial, and safety risks; chair program-level change control boards while integrating all functional capabilities to meet program requirements.
- Act as the single point of contact with the client (i.e., DND/RCN/PSPC) on scope, schedule, cost, and quality matters; ensure contractual compliance and traceability of deliverables.
- Reduce risks related to long-lead items and obsolescence; align upstream work and prefabrication; implement point-of-use material kitting and remove constraints to reduce dock time; develop subcontracting strategies and promote relational contracting approaches.
- Lead and develop the program management team to ensure engagement, accountability, and efficiency; align structure and resources with program phase and workload; integrate support and delivery functions within a matrix organization; escalate issues to corporate level with explicit resolution recommendations.
- Conduct performance evaluations; ensure required training and certifications are maintained; promote and enforce values and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards.
- Coordinate with Human Resources on workforce planning, succession, and recruitment to meet schedule requirements.
Key Performance Indicators:
- On-time or early completion and delivery (baseline vs. actual, critical path adherence, schedule performance).
- Cost performance (CPI ≥ 1.0).
- Return-to-service of vessels supporting fleet readiness (days gained; impact on client-recognized readiness).
- Quality and rework (defect rates, first-time acceptance, audit results).
- Health, Safety, and Environment performance (TRIF/LTIF trends aligned with best practices).
- Material readiness (on-time availability of CSM, GSM, and GFE).
- Client confidence level, measured through program reviews and stakeholder feedback.
- Workforce stability (long-term planning, retention, skills development, apprenticeship pipeline).
Requirements:
- 15+ years of experience leading complex naval or defense programs, or comparable industrial projects, including major dry-docking periods (≥ 400,000 labor hours).
- Proven expertise in integrated planning, project controls, and earned value management in complex environments.
- Demonstrated ability to shorten downtime and stabilize schedules in high-variability contexts.
- Direct experience working with DND, RCN, and PSPC, or allied navies and prime contractors, particularly in testing, acceptance, and fleet maintenance facility activities.
- Successful completion of the federal Contract Security Program clearance process (minimum 5 years residency in Canada, without interruption exceeding 6 consecutive months).
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, naval architecture, applied sciences, or a related field; PMP certification preferred; Lean Six Sigma is an asset.
- Proficiency in both English (spoken and written). English is required due to interaction with English-speaking suppliers, partners, and clients. French preferred.
Duke Marine Technical Services Canada Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable and accessible work environment so our employees can perform their jobs well and reach their full potential. We encourage everyone to apply to our job postings, including members of the four designated groups.
If you require accommodations for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, or accessible meeting rooms or other
