Senior Program Manager

SCALIS; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A global drone entertainment company is seeking a Sr. Program Manager to lead the delivery of complex programs. The ideal candidate will require 7+ years of experience managing technical projects, with strong skills in communication and leadership across cross-functional teams. Responsibilities include overseeing project timelines, managing risks, and ensuring effective collaboration across diverse teams. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of creative storytelling through technology in the UAE.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

401(k) Matching

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience managing complex technical programs.
• Strong understanding of software development and systems integration.
• Exceptional communication skills for executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end delivery of integrated programs from concept through deployment.
• Manage project plans and timelines across global teams.
• Translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.

Skills

Technical program management

Cross-functional team leadership

Effective communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Agile methodologies

Project management software

Job description

Hey — Let's find your next opportunity 🚀

At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting‑edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events. 📱 Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

About the job

About this role:

As a Sr. Program Manager at Nova Sky Stories, you will be the foundational leader ensuring the successful delivery of complex programs that define our future. We are looking for someone who embodies the role of both a builder and a connector. Someone that is a professional who thrives on detail but never loses sight of the ultimate goal.

A successful Sr. Program Manager will possess the technical depth to discuss system architecture and measure project velocity, as well as the communication skills to translate these concepts into a clear, compelling creative vision for technical and non‑technical audiences alike. You will be the essential communication link that keeps our technical programs moving forward efficiently and strategically.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management & Delivery

• Drive the end‑to‑end delivery of integrated programs spanning software, hardware, and production operations, from initial concept through successful deployment and post‑launch optimization.
• Develop, track, and rigorously manage comprehensive project plans, timelines, and dependencies across diverse, often global, and cross‑functional teams.
• Partner closely with leaders across the organization to align strategic goals, key milestones, and critical resource allocation.
• Structure and lead cross‑functional meetings and workshops that are efficient, result in clear decisions, and maintain accountability across all participants.

Technical Leadership & Communication

• Translate and communicate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable, and audience‑specific language for diverse groups, including engineers, creative producers, and executive leadership.
• Serve as the first line of defense, rigorously identifying, escalating, and resolving dependencies, risks, and technical challenges before they impact program delivery.
• Act as the connective tissue across the organization, ensuring smooth and transparent information flow, clear prioritization, and strategic visibility.
• Establish and track key program performance metrics (KPIs), delivering accurate and transparent health reports to leadership and stakeholders.

Process Optimization & Enablement

• Define and implement efficient, scalable project management frameworks (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, hybrid models) to improve delivery speed, quality, and predictability.
• Centralize and standardize best practices for communication, documentation, and technical decision‑making across all global teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in technical workflows and tools with the core mandate to make engineering and operations teams faster, not slower.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Strong, collaborative partnerships with teams across engineering, creative, production, and business operations to ensure holistic alignment and shared ownership.
• Champion collaboration across different time zones and cultural backgrounds while consistently promoting Nova Sky Stories' core values of safety, creativity, and innovation.

You'll need to have:

• 7+ years of direct experience managing complex technical programs or projects that involve cross‑functional teams.
• A proven track record of successfully driving alignment across diverse teams and consistently delivering major programs on time and within defined scope.
• Strong, foundational understanding of various technical development lifecycles (e.g., software development, hardware production, or systems integration).
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, including demonstrated experience crafting and delivering clear, impactful presentations to executive stakeholders.
• The ability to proactively anticipate challenges, rigorously mitigate risks, and adapt quickly and effectively to fast‑paced, changing organizational priorities.

Nice to have:

• Direct experience in media, live events, aerospace, robotics, or other technology‑driven creative industries.
• Background in managing complex software, hardware, or systems integration projects.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), or other relevant Agile certifications.
• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

401(k) Matching

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.

Manager, Business Development

Nova Sky Stories

Boulder / Colorado, United States

17 days ago

About this role: Nova is seeking a highly versatile Manager, Business Development to help lead our global growth. As a small, nimble team, we are looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity and can operate across strategic sales, geographic expansion, and financial and strategic analysis to support major company decisions. This role sits at the center of Nova’s growth efforts. You’ll be part of a small internal “swat team,” constantly identifying, prioritizing, and executing on the most critical opportunities to scale the business globally.

As a Manager, Business Development, you will be responsible for:

• Lead strategic sales efforts and form high‑impact partnerships
• Manage and coordinate cross‑functional growth initiatives
• Support global expansion, including entering new countries, managing projects, and supporting local hiring efforts
• Conduct financial and strategic analysis to inform major growth and investment decisions
• Take ownership of ambiguous, high‑impact projects and drive them from concept through execution
• Travel to key events to assess competitive dynamics and engage with influential stakeholders

If you’re the right fit for this role, you probably already get it: this is a high‑growth, “do whatever it takes to help the company win” position with significant responsibility and exposure.

You’ll need to have:

• Experience in business development, sales, and/or finance at a high‑growth company
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to turn insights into action
• Comfort operating in a fast‑paced, resource‑constrained environment
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time

It’s a plus if you have:

• MBA or advanced business degree
• Experience in a capital‑expenditure‑based technology business (as opposed to purely software or services)
• Experience in the entertainment industry