Job Description BAE Systems is seeking a Director I – Compliance & Supplier Governance to lead the enterprise governance systems that enable compliant, efficient, and reliable business execution across the Combat Mission Systems (CMS) organization. We are seeking a candidate dedicated to systemic improvement and people development. The objective of this role is to evolve the business system for long-term scalability, moving beyond basic administration to drive meaningful operational excellence.
This leader will provide strategic direction across Procurement Compliance, Supplier Governance, Small Business Programs, proposal and estimating compliance, and other enterprise compliance functions by integrating existing organizational strengths into a cohesive business system that protects the business while enabling operational excellence.
Operating at the intersection of Supply Chain, Contracts, Program Management, Finance, Operations, Legal, and executive leadership, this role is responsible for designing scalable governance systems, developing enterprise capability, strengthening management systems, and improving cross-functional business performance.
The Director will partner closely with Proposal Operations by establishing the governance framework, compliance guardrails, standard work, decision criteria, and management systems that enable compliant proposal development while allowing Proposal Operations to focus on execution.
This leader will be expected to think beyond functional boundaries—connecting people, processes, and business systems to proactively address emerging regulatory requirements, improve organizational capability, and reduce enterprise risk before it impacts business performance. Success requires balancing regulatory rigor with operational effectiveness by designing governance systems that enable the business rather than burden it.
Rather than relying solely on additional reviews, approvals, or administrative controls, this leader will strengthen the underlying management systems, standard work, and organizational capability that naturally produce compliant, high-quality business outcomes.
Success in this role is measured not only by audit performance, but by the organization’s ability to execute with confidence through capable people, standardized business systems, proactive governance, operational visibility, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Primary Responsibilities- Elevate compliance from a risk management activity to a strategic enabler of sourcing decisions, business execution, proposal success, operational performance, and business outcomes.
- With a customer-first mindset, develop a deep understanding of customer value, business objectives, operational gaps, and performance barriers to drive continuous improvement across proposal and compliance systems.
- Develop and communicate the long-term vision and enterprise strategy for compliance, supplier governance, and business system effectiveness, ensuring existing organizational strengths are integrated into a cohesive operating model.
- Develop an enterprise compliance strategy by proactively identifying emerging regulatory requirements, assessing organizational readiness, and designing governance systems that enable the business to comply before compliance becomes a business constraint.
- Build enterprise capability by developing people, standardizing work, strengthening management systems, and creating an environment where teams continuously solve problems and improve performance.
- Provide functional leadership for assigned organizations by setting clear expectations, developing talent, conducting performance reviews, ensuring effective resource planning, building organizational depth, and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
- Design and deploy management systems that create operational visibility, expose abnormalities, enable proactive decision-making, and provide meaningful measures of organizational health and business performance.
- Establish scalable governance frameworks—including policies, standard work, decision criteria, management reviews, and training—that enable consistent, compliant execution while minimizing unnecessary administrative burden.
- Partner closely with Proposal Operations by providing governance, compliance guardrails, standard work, and business system oversight that enable compliant proposal development while allowing proposal teams to focus on execution.
- Lead and influence cross-functional teams across the Business Estimating System—including Supply Chain, Contracts, Program Management, Operations, Finance, and other functional organizations—to align priorities, integrate business processes, resolve systemic issues, and improve end-to-end business performance.
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to Procurement Compliance, Supplier Governance, Small Business Programs, and future enterprise compliance capabilities by aligning priorities, sharing best practices, and developing organizational capability across the enterprise.
- Lead enterprise problem solving by identifying systemic issues, driving root-cause analysis, implementing sustainable corrective actions, and strengthening organizational learning.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on compliance strategy, supplier governance, proposal governance, business system effectiveness, and enterprise risk.
- Lead organizational transformation through systems thinking, servant leadership, humility, and a relentless focus on developing people and improving the business system.
The successful candidate will:- Think in systems rather than organizational silos.
- Build enterprise capability rather than organizational dependency.
- Balance regulatory rigor with operational effectiveness.
- Translate complex regulatory requirements into practical business systems.
- Develop people through coaching, mentorship, and servant leadership.
- Lead through influence, collaboration, humility, and trust.
- Simplify complexity while strengthening organizational performance.
- Challenge existing assumptions through curiosity and disciplined problem solving.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and customer-focused execution.
- View governance and compliance as strategic business capabilities that enable enterprise performance rather than administrative control.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Operations, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred). Or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 12 years of progressive leadership experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations, Government Contracting, Compliance, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience leading managers and cross-functional organizations within a complex business environment.
- Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, procurement compliance, supplier governance, and government contracting requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to develop enterprise strategies, influence across organizational boundaries, and lead large-scale organizational change.
- Experience designing scalable management systems, governance processes, operational metrics, and standardized work.
- Strong analytical, communication, coaching, and executive leadership skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build organizational capability through people development, systems thinking, and continuous improvement.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills - Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
- Experience supporting DCAA, DCMA, CPSR, or other government audits and compliance reviews.
- Experience leading Procurement Compliance, Supplier Governance, Small Business Programs, or enterprise governance organizations.
- Lean Enterprise, Toyota Production System, Operational Excellence, Systems Engineering, or Business Process Transformation experience.
- Experience with Oracle, iValua, Power BI, or similar enterprise business systems.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise transformation initiatives involving multiple functional organizations.
Pay InformationFull-Time Salary Range: $138267 - $235053
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Platforms & Services BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
