Director, Strategic Initiatives

Director, Strategic Initiatives Element U.S. Space & Defense - 3.0 Fullerton, CA Job Details Full-time $138,000 - $155,000 a year 6 hours ago Benefits Paid holidays Disability insurance Health insurance Dental insurance Flexible spending account Tuition reimbursement Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Volunteer time off Opportunities for advancement Flexible schedule Life insurance Qualifications Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Vendor relationship management Contracts Leading team collaboration initiatives Vendor contract management Managing projects Microsoft Project Cross-functional team management

Full Job Description About Company:

Element U.S. Space & Defense stands at the forefront of testing innovation, serving as a trusted partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies, and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Founded as NTS Technical Systems, our company brings over 60 years of experience and expertise in handling the most complex projects and programs in the world. From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System (SLS), to environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, we are the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. By advancing our state-of-the-art testing technologies, subject matter expertise, and service to critical missions, Element U.S. Space & Defense has become the go-to partner for ground-breaking industries.

What We Offer:

Growth & Development:

Opportunities for professional development and career advancement. A collaborative and innovative work environment. The chance to work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future of space and defense.

Benefits:

Employees are eligible to participate in the benefits offered throughout their availability, including the following: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts Seven (7) paid holidays and four (4) paid floating holidays, depending on your hire date Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued biweekly 401k with employer match Twelve (12) hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO) each year Tuition reimbursement and other employee programs Flexible schedules offered at some of our labs Monthly Lab Bonus plans (Based on position)

Salary:

At EUSSD, compensation is determined through a comprehensive approach that considers candidate qualifications, role responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational needs. Pay may vary by location; for this position, the annual base salary target range is $138,000-$155,000, with potential eligibility for bonuses or commission depending on the role.

Summary:

Element U.S. Space & Defense (EUSSD) is a premier provider of independent test and evaluation services to the US defense, aerospace, and space industries. We are investing heavily in future growth and seek a Director of Strategic Initiatives to manage execution of key projects. This role reports to senior leadership and serves as a key integrator across business units and functions. The Director of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for leading and delivering high‑impact strategic growth programs across the enterprise. This role operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, finance, and functional leadership to translate corporate priorities into executable initiatives within existing operations. The role requires an enterprise mindset, balancing near‑term execution with long‑term value creation. This position requires exceptional project management capability, strong cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder programs from concept through completion. The Director will own end‑to‑end execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with business objectives, while effectively managing internal teams and external subcontractors. The Director is accountable for outcomes, realization, and sustained operational adoption of delivered initiatives. The ideal candidate is a disciplined executor with strong business judgment, excellent communication skills, and proven experience driving results through influence rather than authority.

Primary Responsibilities:

The statements below describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Strategic Program Leadership Lead cross‑functional teams to implement strategic growth initiatives within existing operations, including operational expansion, process transformation, capability development, and market‑driven programs. Translate enterprise strategy and leadership priorities into clearly defined, executable programs with measurable outcomes, milestones, and success metrics. Serve as the central point of accountability for assigned strategic initiatives from inception through completion. Partner with Finance to develop business cases, investment justifications, and ROI analyses for strategic initiatives. Track financial performance against approved budgets and forecasts; drive corrective actions where variances occur. Define and track key performance indicators and benefits‑realization metrics to ensure initiatives deliver expected business value. Support enterprise growth objectives including market expansion, capacity scaling, and organic and inorganic growth initiatives as applicable. Project Management Excellence Manage complex, multi‑phase projects end‑to‑end, ensuring on‑time, on‑budget delivery while meeting defined scope, quality, and performance objectives. Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, budgets, risk registers, and executive‑level status reporting. Proactively identify risks, dependencies, and resource constraints; drive mitigation plans and escalation as needed. Establish and enforce disciplined project governance, change control, and decision‑making processes. Drive formal change‑management activities, including stakeholder readiness, communication planning, and adoption tracking. Cross‑Functional Execution Partner closely with functional leaders (Operations, Engineering, Finance, IT, etc.) to align resources and priorities. Facilitate effective decision‑making across competing interests while maintaining momentum and accountability. Drive alignment between strategic intent and operational reality, ensuring initiatives are practical, scalable, and sustainable. Navigate complex organizational dynamics while maintaining neutrality, credibility, and trust across functions. Subcontractor & Vendor Management Manage external subcontractors and consultants in support of strategic initiatives. Develop clear, tightly scoped Statements of Work (SOWs) with defined deliverables, timelines, performance criteria, and commercial terms. Hold subcontractors accountable for meeting contractual commitments related to scope, schedule, cost, and quality. Actively manage vendor performance, change requests, and issue resolution through project completion. Ensure vendor engagements comply with internal procurement, legal, ITAR/EAR, and information‑security requirements. Executive Communication & Stakeholder Management Provide concise, high‑quality updates to senior leadership, including progress, risks, decisions required, and outcomes achieved. Prepare executive‑level materials such as business cases, presentations, dashboards, and post‑implementation reviews. Represent strategic initiatives with credibility and clarity to internal and external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related field. 8+ years of experience leading complex, cross‑functional projects or programs within a corporate or operational environment. Demonstrated success delivering large, multi‑stakeholder initiatives on time and on budget. Proven experience managing subcontractors or external partners, including development and enforcement of SOWs. Advanced proficiency with project management tools and Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Project). Extensive background check and US Citizenship will be required Remote , approximately 30% travel

Preferred Qualifications:

MBA or advanced degree preferred. Experience leading strategic initiatives in operations‑heavy, engineering‑driven, or regulated environments. Formal project management training or certification (PMP, PgMP, etc.). Experience supporting growth initiatives, integrations, or large capital programs. Experience working in compliance‑driven or regulated environments (e.g., DoD, aerospace, or defense contracting). Familiarity with government contracting concepts, including cost structures, compliance expectations, and customer interfaces.

Knowledge and Skills:

Exceptional project and program management discipline. Strong business acumen and financial literacy. Ability to influence and lead without direct authority. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive‑level storytelling. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives. Structured problem‑solving and critical‑thinking capabilities. Strong negotiation and vendor‑management skills. Comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels. Self‑motivated, accountable, and results‑oriented. High integrity with a strong commitment to confidentiality, data security, and ethical conduct. Resilient and adaptable in fast‑changing, high‑visibility environments.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EEO Policy Statement:

It is the policy of Element US Space & Defense to offer Equal Employment Opportunity to all individuals without regards to race, creed, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V