Director, Operational Excellence

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) 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 MDA Space team of more than 3,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK 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.

Position Overview:

The Operational Excellence Director will lead strategic transformation and continuous improvement initiatives in their Business Area to deliver world-class process and system improvements and design. Reporting to the Business Area Operations VP and dotted line reporting to corporate Business Transformation, this role will oversee, recommend and coordinate process improvements, tool upgrades, data and analytics across various business and functional areas. This role will also lead change efforts across the Business Area to successfully deliver the transformation and improvement initiative outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the focal point and liaison on change projects for Satellite Systems through advocating business area needs to corporate functions and to drive corporate initiatives into the business area.
• Drive oversight and cross-BA collaboration for all change projects within Satellite Systems to help drive execution.
• Prioritize, coordinate, track, and report on all change projects within the Business Area, including risk and opportunity assessment and mitigation planning.
• Act as the Business Transformation point of contact for all change initiatives occurring in the Business Area and OneMDA. Support Business Transformation centralized planning of tasks and resources
• Help prioritize resources to support Business Area involvement in enterprise transformation projects and site/department continuous improvement projects with Corporate Business Transformation.
• Organise operational Internal Review Teams (IRT) on critical transformative issues as required
• Promote collaboration across MDA Space to drive execution and OneMDA change projects
• Recommend where enterprise standardization for processes and tools is required to meet business strategy
• Make improvement project recommendations based on project business cases to analyze processes, determine project scope, define resources, budget, timelines and document the deliverables
• Identify, and recommend future actions to improve business area operational efficiencies and execution. In addition survey, benchmark and leverage industry best practices
• Manage a Change project teams and business area renewal budget.

Relationships with Other Jobs:

Work with a variety of stakeholders :

• Sat Sys functional leadership
• Other Business Area leadership
• Business Transformation
• Information Technology
• Human Resources
• Other OE roles in Business Areas

Qualification Profile:

Education, Experience & Knowledge:

• Degree level education (or equivalent) in a relevant field such as program management, process improvement, engineering with 15+ years of experience
• Deep Knowledge of Sat Systems Business and its operations.
• Passionate about improving the business execution
• Familiarity with continuous improvement techniques like Six Sigma, DMAIC, TQM, Lean, Kaizen, or other process improvement methodology is an asset.
• Experience with automation is an asset
• Functional knowledge across the business is as asset
• A problem solver who can devise a solution and lead implementation

Skills & Competencies:

Broad experience in past assignments demonstrating practice of most of the following;

• Engineering and / or production operations
• Program execution & Risk Mgt, Financial and Contractual principles
• Strategic thinking, Coaching and team dynamics, Change Management principles
• Conversant in IT & Digital technologies is an asset.
• Influential impact through diplomatic, communication and conflict resolution skills with the ability to interface with senior mgt.
• Team player and one who generates trust and high level of emotional intelligence
• Proven track record of task-oriented execution but balanced with people leadership skills
• Analytical but also applies mature judgement and big picture view

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), and be able to obtain higher clearances.

Benefits Statement:

MDA Space offers competitive compensation and benefits to its employees at all of its locations. As a member of the MDA Space team, you and your eligible dependents can enroll in a benefits plan that provides a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care, including: health care plans supplemental and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans and an employee assistance program and to their family.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

MDA Space is an equal opportunity employer with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and candidates with respect and dignity. If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruitment process, please let us know.