VP Defense Programs: Top Recruiters in Naperville, Illinois
The Naperville Aerospace & Defense Market
Naperville's defense market serves the western Chicago suburbs' engineering and technology corridor, with Navistar Defense and defense IT firms leveraging the market's highly educated technical workforce.
About This Role
The VP of Defense Programs leads the execution and growth of a company's DoD program portfolio, owning customer relationships, P&L performance, and new business capture across a suite of active defense contracts. This executive is the primary interface between the company and government program offices, ensuring programs are delivered on schedule and within budget while expanding the customer relationship.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage full P&L for a portfolio of DoD programs ranging from to + in combined contract value
- Own primary relationships with government Program Managers, PEOs, and contracting officers across the program portfolio
- Lead Integrated Program Teams (IPTs) composed of engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and contracts professionals
- Drive new business capture by identifying follow-on work, adjacent requirements, and new program opportunities
- Develop and execute program reviews, Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs), and customer status briefings
- Manage program financial performance including EVM, contract funding profiles, and fee recovery
- Oversee subcontractor management, teaming agreements, and supplier performance within programs
- Lead proposal development for contract modifications, follow-on awards, and new program competitions
- Identify program risks early and drive proactive mitigation before issues become customer concerns
- Represent the company at industry days, program conferences, and DoD stakeholder forums
Leading Employers in Naperville
The Aerospace & Defense talent pool in Naperville is shaped by movement between these anchor employers and their tier-one supplier base:
Required Experience & Background
- 15+ years in defense program management with at least 5 years managing a portfolio of + programs
- Active TS/SCI security clearance strongly preferred
- PMP certification and formal DoD PM training (APDP/DAU) strongly preferred
- Demonstrated experience winning follow-on awards and expanding program scope with DoD customers
- Deep knowledge of FAR/DFARS, government contract types, and DoD acquisition regulations
- Strong EVM expertise and experience managing EVMS-compliant programs
Core Leadership Competencies
- Customer Partnership: Ability to build enduring trust relationships with DoD program offices and contracting authorities
- Portfolio Management: Skill in managing competing resource demands across multiple simultaneous programs
- Capture Leadership: Proven track record of winning new business in competitive government procurements
- Financial Discipline: Expertise in program financial management, fee optimization, and cost control
- Risk Intelligence: Proactive identification and mitigation of technical, schedule, and cost program risks
Regulatory & Compliance Context
VP-level defense program managers must ensure compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012 (cybersecurity), FAR 52.204-21 (basic safeguarding), and all applicable NDAA provisions. Programs involving foreign military sales (FMS) require familiarity with SAMM and DSP-5 export authorization processes.
Compensation Benchmarks for Naperville, IL
Nexoval Search Partners' Approach in Naperville
Nexoval Search Partners's dedicated Aerospace & Defense practice maintains active relationships with the executive talent community across Naperville and the broader Illinois market. Our consultants conduct thorough market mapping of available passive and active candidates across the region's leading employers, from established industry leaders to innovative growth companies. Every engagement includes confidential outreach, rigorous competency-based assessment, and candidate presentation within 45 to 60 days of engagement launch. Nexoval Search Partners's retained search model and one-year replacement guarantee ensure every executive we place in Naperville, Illinois delivers long-term organizational value.