Senior Director

Who We Are: 

Ever wonder who brings the entertainment to your flights? Panasonic Avionics Corporation is #1 in the industry for delivering inflight products such as movies, games, WiFi, and now Bluetooth headphone connectivity!       

How exciting would it be to be a part of the innovation that goes into creating technology that delights millions of people in an industry that’s here to stay! With our company’s history spanning over 40 years, you will have stability, career growth opportunities, and will work with the brightest minds in the industry. And we are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture that will help our organization thrive! We seek diversity in many areas such as background, culture, gender, ways of thinking, skills and more.  If you want to learn more about us visit us at www.panasonic.aero and for a full listing of open job opportunities go to www.panasonic.aero/join-us/   

The Position:

The Sr. Director, Satellite Planning and Operations will direct and lead the global Satellite Capacity and Planning team within the Connectivity Business Unit. The role leads the overall strategy development of our satellite network planning and involves understanding the likely evolution of the satellite industry for the IFC industry and advises the VP Connectivity Business Unit on the satellite network strategy to position PAC for success in the IFC market.

Oversees the strategy and design of our satellite network footprint, definition of required updates and overall global satellite network monitoring. Develops and maintains the long-term global satellite capacity forecast. Maintains strong working relationships with key satellite suppliers and stays aware of upcoming developments in the satellite space that may influence our network forecast. Responsible for annual global capacity budgeting and ongoing management of the satellite capacity financial forecast. Leads team of experienced Satellite Capacity Engineers and Analysts. In partnership with Vice President, participate in defining vision for department. Defines strategies and tactics for our overall global satellite network and forecast

Satellite Strategic Planning and Satellite Network Management Operations

• Assesses the global satellite industry for mobility applications suitable for IFC including:
  • Planned satellite networks and constellations in all orbits
  • New antenna technologies we might adopt
  • Overall economics of different satellite networks
  • Any other technologies that could impact PAC’s IFC strategy
  • Assisting the Product Management team in developing longer term IFC roadmaps
  • Helping plan our migration from GEO to NGSO satellites in order to maintain a profitable business during that transition
• Ensures ongoing performance of global satellite network through the definition of and management to key performance indicators.
• Drives the team to continually develop efficiency improvements in the utilization of deployed capacity.
• Responsible for defining and managing to passenger quality of experience as it relates to global satellite capacity.
• Ensures technical issues impacting the satellite network are supported by direct staff and coordinated with other departments. Responsible to drive operational issues to closure.
• Works with Procurement on all satellite capacity partner contract negotiations, always driving to improve the cost efficiency of our network.
  
  • Maintains ongoing visibility into the global satellite market and holds strong relationships with key suppliers and partners in the industry.

Sales, Product Management and Engineering Support

• Serves as Business Unit lead and contact for supporting the sales and product management team regarding our satellite network.
• Ensures daily and weekly support tasks in pursuit of new business opportunities and scheduled customer meetings are completed by the team on time and of high quality.
• Serves as subject matter expert in customer meetings related to our network performance and forecast. Supports both working level and management level engagements.
• Works with Product Management and Connectivity Engineering to ensure satellite network roadmap is built and managed in conjunction with the larger connectivity network roadmap.

Process and Tooling Improvement

• Ensures team workflows are appropriately documented and regularly reviewed to drive operational efficiency.
• Responsible for definition and utilization of satellite network management tools to model, forecast and monitor network. Ensures consistency and accuracy of analyses based on streamlined processes and tools.
• Drives initiatives to automate and standardize network management processes.

Management & Budget

• Provides leadership and direction to team of Manager-level and individual contributor employees.
• Exercises full management authority, including performance reviews, pay decisions, recruitment, discipline, termination and other personnel actions.
• Participates in the development of corporate and/or organizational policies.
• Oversight of organizational budget for Satellite Capacity team.
• Responsible for satellite capacity financial forecast and adherence or improvement to plan.
• Oversees all business cases for contract extensions and new capacity procurement and serves as business unit lead for recommending changes to our satellite capacity footprint.

The salary range of $195,000 – $327,000 is just one component of Panasonic’s total package. The final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this role may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and incentives.  

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (i.e. Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Network Engineering, Physics, Mathematics) or significant direct professional experience as an alternate.
• 12+ years Satellite Network or Satellite Network Capacity experience to include a minimum of 5 years of increasing managerial experience of technical and business disciplines.
• Deep and comprehensive understanding of the new and evolving different satellites and technologies for GEO, MEO and LEO satellite constellations.
• Previous understanding of antenna technologies and other relevant developments that will lead to new IFC hardware systems.
• Expert knowledge of airline, aerospace, and related industries.
• Strong technical and operational leadership of satellite networks and technologies.
• Significant technical knowledge of airline operations, connected aircraft, and airspace management arenas, including analytical abilities to research, define, and potentially pursue new and innovative industry solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills.
• Strong ability to speak with persons of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds at the most senior Executive level.
• Strong experience with problem-solving, decision-making, and multi-tasking to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers in a professional and timely manner.
• Expert ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationship with customers and internal company departments in order to smoothly and effectively address customer needs.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Having a wide-ranging experience, uses professional concepts and company objectives to resolve highly complex issues in creative and effective ways.
• Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Exercises strong judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
• Ability to travel 20% of time both domestic and international.

• At Panasonic Avionics Corporation we realize the most important aspects in leading our industry are the bright minds behind everything we do. We are proud to offer our employees a highly competitive, comprehensive and flexible benefits program.  
• Paid time off: Exempt Salaried employees receive flexible paid time off. This means that there is no fixed number, range, or limit to the amount of Personal and Vacation Days that may be taken for exempt employees. Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days. Accrual rate increases with tenure. All employees receive 11 company paid holidays per year. We also close our offices at the corporate level in the U.S. between Christmas and New Year. For operational positions that are expected to work on holidays, we provide additional compensation for hours worked.  
• Health Insurance: Medical insurance offerings from Aetna and Kaiser (CA &HI). Options for Employee Only, Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner, Employee + Children, or Family. Dental PPO and DMO options & Vision insurance through EyeMed or VSP.   
• 401K with 50% match on up to 8% contribution, full vested from day 1. 
• Washington residents only are eligible for: Washington’s Family and Medical Leave program and Washington’s Paid Sick Leave program. 
• Other offerings include: Wellness Program, Counseling services, FSA & HSA, Life Insurance for employee, spouse and child, AD&D Insurance, Long-term and Short-term disability, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Dependent Care FLSA, Education Assistance, Commuter Program, Employee Purchase Program, Service Award Program.