Sr. Program Manager - People Experience (R5452)

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software and V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

What You Will Do

Program Delivery & Execution

* Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and ongoing management of complex PX initiatives and cross-functional programs.

* Define program scope, objectives, milestones, timelines, risks, dependencies, and success measures with PX leaders.

* Maintain integrated program plans and operating rhythms, monitoring progress and managing risks and issues.

* Identify and implement process improvements during project execution where there are opportunities to increase clarity, speed, or quality.

Change Management & Adoption

* Design and implement change management strategies that drive successful adoption, sustainability, and leader effectiveness.

* Assess organizational impacts and readiness, and develop communication and engagement plans that support awareness and adoption.

* Partner with leaders and subject matter experts to facilitate change and minimize disruption.

* Track adoption and effectiveness and integrate lessons learned into future initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

* Build strong, trust-based relationships across PX functions and business teams.

* Facilitate stakeholder alignment, decision-making, and issue resolution across multiple workstreams.

* Coordinate cross-functional efforts to ensure cohesive program delivery and integration.

* Provide clear, concise, executive-ready communications on program status, risks, outcomes, and recommendations.

Governance, Reporting, and Program Development

* Establish governance models, operating rhythms, and reporting mechanisms for strategic PX programs.

* Develop dashboards, status reports, and executive updates that clearly convey health and progress.

* Maintain key artifacts, including action plans, decision logs, and risk registers.

* Optimize PX structures, standards, and workflows where there are opportunities to build more scalable, repeatable approaches.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor’s degree - preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or equivalent experience.

* 8+ years of experience leading complex programs, transformation initiatives, or organizational change efforts in an HR, PX, or related environment.

* Demonstrated experience managing enterprise-wide, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders in high-growth or similarly complex environments.

* Strong program and project management skills, including planning, governance, risk management, and execution across multiple workstreams.

* Hands-on experience developing and implementing change management strategies, including stakeholder analysis, communications, training, and reinforcement plans.

* Experience working directly with PX/HR/People teams on initiatives such as performance management, talent development, PX systems, or employee experience programs.

* Ability to use quantitative and qualitative data (e.g., survey results, adoption metrics, KPIs) to inform program design, decision-making, and iteration.

* Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and drive outcomes without direct authority.

* Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities, with a track record of bringing structure and operating rigor to ambiguous environments.

* Demonstrated ability to build program frameworks, playbooks, or toolkits that scale PX initiatives across multiple teams or locations.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience in high-growth technology, aerospace, defense, or similarly complex environments.

* Formal training or certification in program and/or change management (e.g., PMP, Prosci, Agile-related credentials).

* Experience implementing or optimizing PX/HR systems and tools (e.g., HRIS, performance management, engagement or survey platforms).