LS528 - Director, Landing Stations Program Management

Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 50 years. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra-low latency and fiber-like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world.

The company’s state-of-the-art fleet consists of 14 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat-1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite. For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit www.telesat.com

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Engineering, the Director, Landing Stations Program Management will lead a team of regional project managers responsible for managing the build-out of Landing Station infrastructure for the Telesat Lightspeed Constellation. Collaborating with the Site Acquisition Lead, The Director will be responsible for driving site development from early planning through construction, ensuring successful handover to the Landing Station commissioning team.

Main Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Oversight:
• Manage and mentor a team of regional project managers responsible for local execution.
• Participate in the definition of deployment plans for assigned sites with vendors and suppliers and report progress on a regular basis, highlighting issues and challenges and alerting LEO program management regarding items that need additional attention
• Site Acquisition Support:
• Support the Site Acquisition Lead to identify and evaluate potential landing station locations.
• Evaluate Landing Station hosting proposals, support vendor negotiations, and recommend selection of sites.
• Support due diligence, permitting, and environmental assessments.
• Contract Negotiation & Partner Management:
• Assist in negotiating land acquisition and construction-related contracts with partners, vendors, and local authorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders and partners.
• Work closely with Contracts and Legal teams on preparation and execution of contract documents
• Program & Project Management:
• Track and manage proposals, budgets, and schedules for multiple concurrent landing station projects.
• Ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of landing stations, from planning through to handover to the implementation team.
• Reporting & Communication:
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on project status, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Maintain clear documentation and reporting standards across all regions.
  
  

Education & Experience Required:

• 10+ years of experience in project or program management, preferably in infrastructure, telecommunications, or construction.
• Proven experience in land acquisition, permitting, and working with local authorities.
• Strong background in managing partner relationships and negotiating contracts.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects across different geographies.
• PMP or similar certification is a plus.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Experience with satellite ground stations or similar infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with environmental and regulatory compliance processes.
• Technical understanding of basic construction and utility requirements.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Occasional travel to prospective Landing Station facilities and provider facilities for negotiations
• Availability for teleconferences in support of projects spanning across the world in different time zones
  
  

At Telesat, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer that values equality in the workplace. We are committed to providing the best candidate experience possible including any required accommodations at every stage of our interview process. All qualified applicants that have been selected for an interview that require accommodations, are advised to inform the Telesat Talent team accordingly. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential.