Director Program Finance

Director Program Finance

Job Title: Director Program FinanceJob Family: FinanceCompany: Paligen TechnologiesLocation: Tampa, Florida (on site) Paligen is dedicated to the advancement of novel manufacturing solutions in the commercial, defense, and aerospace industries. We are always looking for new ideas and people who are passionate about their craft. The Director Program Finance is a key financial leader responsible for overseeing the financial management, planning, and execution of programs across our business units, but primarily the Defense and Aerospace Division portfolio. This role partners closely with Program Management, Contracts, Supply Chain, Operations and other finance team members to ensure compliance with U.S. Government regulations, drive financial performance, and provide strategic insight to leadership. The Director leads a team of program finance analysts and ensures timely, accurate, and compliant reporting to both internal stakeholders and external customers. This leadership position requires a dynamic, collaborative, and compliance minded leader with a strong background in defense and aerospace programs. Extensive knowledge of financial management of all contract types, various Finance regulations, and the ability to create and lead a high-performance team are all essential for success in this role. Key Responsibilities: Program Financial Management

• Lead development and oversight of program financial plans, budgets, and forecasts.
• Monitor program performance through risk assessments, variance analysis, and potential earned value management (EVM), if necessary.
• Ensure timely and accurate Estimates at Completion (EACs) and financial reporting.
• Support program execution by aligning resources with contract deliverables and cost objectives.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, CAS, and company financial policies.
• Oversee internal and external reporting requirements, including monthly reviews and customer program reviews and reports.
• Serve as primary interface with government auditors and external reviewers on program finance matters.
• Maintain strong financial controls to support audit readiness and contractual compliance.

Leadership and Team Development

• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performance team that acts with integrity, meets commitments, works collaboratively, drives continual improvement, and achieves goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration within the finance team.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including program management, legal, finance, HR, BD, supply chain/contracts, and engineering, to develop finance strategies and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Implement and drive best practices, tools, and processes across the program finance function.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on program financial health and risk mitigation.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align program financial performance with overall business goals and long-term strategy.
• Government Compliance Expertise: Deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, CAS, and EVMS with proven success in audit readiness and compliance.
• Leadership and Influence: Strong track record of building, mentoring, and leading high-performing finance teams.
• Analytical Rigor: Skilled in evaluating complex financial data and translating it into actionable insights for decision-making.
• Risk Management: Proactive in identifying financial, contractual, and operational risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Collaboration and Communication: Works collaboratively and meets commitments. Strong communication skills (written and oral). Exceptional ability to partner across functions, influence stakeholders, and present financial information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Results Orientation: Focused on achieving program performance goals while maintaining compliance and integrity. The ability to manage multiple priorities across a diverse portfolio of programs
• Trusted Partner: Acts with integrity. Serves as a reliable financial advisor to internal teams and government customers, providing clarity and confidence in decision-making

QualificationsEducation and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of finance experience in defense/aerospace or government contracting, with at least 5 years in program finance leadership.
• Proven track record managing financials for large, complex defense/aerospace programs.
• Experience with EVMS, program cost control, and government proposal support.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and CAS.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Deltek Costpoint) and advanced Excel/financial modeling.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills with ability to influence across functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or CFA certification.

Other Requirements:

• Travel: ~10% - 20%, possible infrequent international travel
• Work Environment: Office work environment, with occasional visits to manufacturing sites
• Background Investigation/Drug Screen/US Person: Required

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

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