Program Director - Air Force Strike Command

Orchard•Shreveport, LA

4d•$180,000 - $220,000•Remote

About The Position

@Orchard LLC is seeking a high-caliber leader to serve as the Program Director for a fast-growth client, supporting Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) . This is a growth and execution mandate . You will essentially build and run your own business unit, managing the P&L and spearheading the deployment of communication nodes across AFGSC facilities in the United States. The Mission Your primary objective is to build and lead the team tasked with bridging the gap between the deployment of cutting-edge technology and the mission-critical requirements of AFGSC. You will lead the charge in moving from initial concepts to wide-scale adoption and physical deployment at the nation’s most secure installations.

Requirements

Military Background: Retired or transitioning Air Force Officer ( O-5 or O-6 ).
Aviation Credentials: Former Air Force Squadron Commander , with a preference for candidates with B-2 Spirit (Stealth Bomber) experience.
Security Clearance: Current or recent secret clearance eligibility, top-secret preferred.
Technical Acumen: An understanding of the application of 5G, networking, Edge Compute, and Agentic AI to serve the mission of AFGSC, including current thinking and strategies within the Command.
Government Contracts: Knowledge and understanding of the DOD procurement process, key stakeholders, regulations, and compliance requirements.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
Execution-First Mindset: A proven track record of taking complex programs from the "planning" phase to "deployed and operational."
Business Acumen: Experience managing large budgets or programs within the Air Force (e.g., Program Office or MAJCOM staff).
Leadership: The ability to manage a hybrid team of technical and functional resources in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
Business Development: The ability to utilize knowledge and relationships to uncover new sales and growth opportunities across the Command.

Responsibilities

P&L Ownership: Full accountability for the business unit’s financial health, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Strategic Execution: Drive the deployment of communication nodes, ensuring timelines are met, and technical specifications exceed requirements.
Growth & Adoption: Act as the primary advocate for our clients’ solutions, working alongside AFGSC stakeholders and the wider nuclear enterprise, identifying new use cases and expanding our footprint.
Team Leadership: Train, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of up to 4 managers and 6–7 field engineers, responsible for the day-to-day execution of the mission.
Stakeholder Management: Maintain "boots-on-the-ground" presence in Shreveport, LA, to interface directly with AFGSC leadership.
Sales: Build on your existing trusted relationships with key stakeholders associated with the adoption and procurement of emerging communications technology, including 5G, Edge Compute, and Agentic AI. Leverage your knowledge and relationships into increased sales of services across the Command.