Application Guide
How to Apply for D&I Program Manager, Professional Services
at Planet
🏢 About Planet
Planet is unique as a company that provides daily, global Earth-imaging satellite data to empower impactful stewardship and decision-making. Working at Planet means contributing to a mission that combines cutting-edge space technology with practical applications for government, defense, and environmental monitoring, offering the chance to make a tangible difference through data-driven insights.
About This Role
As the D&I Program Manager for Professional Services, you'll design and deliver reliable platform and data solutions specifically for Defense and Intelligence customers. This role is impactful because you'll translate complex technical and mission requirements into actionable projects, ensuring that Planet's satellite data effectively supports critical government and defense-sector needs through well-scoped proposals and managed execution.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve collaborating with Professional Services Engineers and PreSales teams to design data solutions, drafting sections of a proposal for a defense-sector customer, and updating project schedules to track deliverables and budgets. You could also be meeting with internal stakeholders to define success metrics or reviewing subcontractor contracts to ensure alignment with project goals, all while working remotely from a UK location.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For
- Has 6+ years of project management experience with a proven track record in developing proposals for government or defense-sector customers, demonstrating an understanding of compliance and security requirements.
- Possesses direct experience working with or within the Defense and Intelligence community, enabling effective communication and alignment with mission-driven stakeholders.
- Excels at managing complex, cross-functional technical projects, with the ability to translate business and technical requirements into clear deliverables and scalable processes.
- Is adept at contract management with subcontractors, including task assignment, deliverable tracking, and budget oversight, ensuring operational excellence in a remote, UK-based setting.
📝 Tips for Applying to Planet
Highlight specific examples in your resume where you managed proposals or projects for defense or government clients, quantifying outcomes like budget adherence, risk mitigation, or customer satisfaction improvements.
Tailor your application to emphasize your understanding of the Defense and Intelligence community's unique needs, using terminology and frameworks familiar to that sector.
Research Planet's existing D&I customer case studies or public contracts to reference how your experience aligns with their current projects, such as data solutions for environmental monitoring or security applications.
Demonstrate your ability to work remotely in a UK context by mentioning experience with distributed teams, time-zone coordination, or remote project management tools relevant to cross-functional collaboration.
Include a brief note on how you've improved operational scalability in past roles, as this is a key responsibility mentioned in the job description for process design and workflow efficiency.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Explain your direct experience with Defense and Intelligence sector proposals, detailing a specific project where you gathered technical inputs and articulated value propositions aligned with mission needs.', "Describe your approach to managing complex, cross-functional projects in a technical setting, highlighting how you've translated requirements into deliverables and mitigated risks for reliable platform solutions.", "Connect your skills to Planet's mission of empowering stewardship through Earth-imaging data, suggesting how your background can enhance their D&I customer offerings and operational scalability.", 'Mention your contract management experience with subcontractors, emphasizing budget tracking and deliverable oversight to show readiness for the financial aspects of the role.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Planet's D&I customer segments and public case studies to understand their current projects, such as satellite data applications for national security or environmental monitoring in defense contexts.
- → Review Planet's satellite technology and data platforms (e.g., their imaging capabilities or analytics tools) to grasp the technical solutions you'd be managing and proposing.
- → Investigate the UK's defense and intelligence landscape, including key agencies or initiatives, to better align your application with regional stakeholder needs and compliance considerations.
- → Look into Planet's company culture and remote work policies, as the role is UK-based and remote, to tailor your communication about collaboration and time-zone management.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning defense or government proposal experience—this role requires specific sector knowledge, so failing to highlight it can signal a poor fit.
- Overlooking the remote, UK-based aspect by not addressing experience with distributed teams or familiarity with UK business practices, which may raise concerns about adaptability.
- Focusing solely on project management without emphasizing technical proposal development or contract management, as the role explicitly requires these skills for D&I customers.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!