Manager, Program Planning & Control

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space.

Job Summary

The PP&C manager role is to provide support to Program management dept's while advising Finance management dept's of any specific projects or programs potential risks (Contracts/Authorisations, Profitability, Revenue, Cashflow etc,..)

Main responsibilities :

Manager, PP&C is reporting to the Project Management Organisation (PMO)

Objectives & responsibilities:

• To lead, develop and manage the PP&C departments and the overhead budget administration .
• To ensure an open communication and information flow mainly with Program Directors and other directions such as Finance, Programs Mgmt, Engineering, Procurement and Manufacturing depts, all closely related to PP&C department role & responsibilities within the organisation.
• To establish the PP&C department year objectives aligned with the division objectives and to monitor the progress of these objectives by reviewing on a quarterly basis.
• To establish the employee objectives and provide necessary means and support for achievement.
• Maintain, improve and implement departmental processes, systems, tools & softwares and report formats related to PP&C responsibilities and aligment with Financial Internal/External Audits and SOX points of control.
• To ensure proper planning and support for all current Active and Forecasted projects.
• Provide guidance and recommendations for overlapping processes of closely related departments, Finance, Contracts, Purchasing, Material & production Ctrl etc…)
• Maintain the necessary skill level and motivation of employees by providing training, guidance and team building excercise.
• Maintain the departments staff supply and distribution to meet all proposal/project demands and ensure proper response and reporting to organisation.
• Ensure that the PP&C mandates and responsibilities are recognize and made clear throughout the organisation.

Responsibilities:

• Review proposal & program costs with proposal/project team members to ensure integrity, compliance and accuracy
• Perform cost analysis of proposals/projects to identify and mitigate risks and provide recommendations
• Prepare specific cost summary reports project review meeting with senior management
• Monitor and ensure that all employees follows processes in place by performing internal sporadic inquiries. This is to ensure that PP&C department is operating within the management expectations and bounderies.

PP&C specifics

• Ensure that schedule planning methods and systems are efficient, adapted and consistent with program requirements and level of compliance to satisfy internal and external customer requirements.
• Ensure proper implementation of performance measurement baseline (PMB) and work breakdown structure (WBS)
• Use of appropriate level of Earned value method and techniques for project statusing, measurement, variance analysis and trend indicators in order to provide value added recommendations to programs and organisation in order to maintain profitablity and health of major projects.
• Provide additional support, reports and metrics to upper management and program managers, as required, and effective troubleshooting in any Dept's or projects related matters.
• Ensure that the appropriates skills are allocated to the programs in respect of the schedule demand and cost allowance.
• Provide program visibility with the issuance of an official monthly program review report to senior management statusing all active projects. This document is reviewed at the monthly program review meeting (MPR) and all significant projects are presented by their respective project managers.
• Maintain inter-departmental intranet systems and softwares related to PP&C;
• The LN Business Notices Application from which is issued all Contract and project notices and other financial features.
• Milestone Forecasting that lists and maintains all project milestones and their invoicing/payments status and forecasts.
• Support and monitor specific Capital and IR&D projects.
• Internasl/External Audits support and ITB reports (Cdn Content calculation) for MDA & External Customers.
• Manpower forecast & planning application software to report on a regular basis all project demands showing areas of under or oversupplied skills.
• Support the LN ERP system by helping any updates, implementation, troublesshooting and testings, sessions & reports. Ensure LN utilization is efficient and aligned with current processes.

Required Work Experience and Skills:

• University degree (BAC) in Business administration or engineering with a project management specialization or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Minimum of 7 to 12 year of experience in a project cost estimation, planning and control environment, preferably in the aerospace or defence industry or major programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the costing & pricing Financials and accounting principles and PMCS (Program Management Control System Criteria) and the EVMS (Earned Value Measurement System)
• 3 to 5 years experience in a team leading role.
• Established knowledge of scheduling and costing softwares (i.e. MS project)
• Very good experience in all Micrsoft softwares, mainly Excel and databases
• A willingness to incorporate AI tools into day to day work, and (ideally) a proven track record of having used AI
• Experience in an ERP system environment.- Good understanding of the different departments functionnality and relationship in Projects, products or services environment.
• Good understanding on the Financial accounting principles and mandate.
• Good knowledge and understanding of strategic plan and divisional objectives.
• Basic knowledge of Unionized environment is an asset.
• Demonstrate a service-orientation approach, supervision of detailed reports and able to manage with deadlines.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills in performance management, delegation, motivation and team building.
• Function well independently with minimal supervision with effective problem-solving skills and Deadline oriented.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; fluency in English and French (Work in collaboration with the staff at the Ontario headquarters.)

Leadership and Management:

PP&C Dept

The PP&C Department being a separate entity from Programs, the major challenge for the PP&C manager is to act and perform an auditor's role at the service of the Finance department and simultaneously be an integrated part of the program management Dept's & team.

In other words, the PP&C manager role is to provide support to Program management dept's while advising Finance management dept's of any specific projects or programs potential risks (Contracts/Authorisations, Profitability, Revenue, Cashflow etc,..)

Another challenge for the PP&C manager is to maintain a standard approach in the implementation of program planning and control system for various project types, groups (Antenna, Electronics, Systems, Satellites, Products etc..) and with different manager's style.

To maintain an acceptable level of accuracy regarding project performance measurements in order to provide valid and valuable information that leads to the right recommendation for decision making and financial reportings.

The mandate of the PP&C manager can only be achieved through clear communication and effective conflict and problem resolution.

To provide management with timely, accurate information which assesses the potential impact of operational and financial risks and exposure to the division, inherent to major programs. This is accomplished by complying to MDA's financial policies and procedures. It requires effective communication of requirements to ensure adherence to established standards.

#LI-DM1 #IND1 #SP

Special Considerations:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA’s and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.

MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.

MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.