Sr. Program Manager

SCALIS; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading drone entertainment company in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Sr. Program Manager to oversee complex program delivery, ensuring alignment across diverse teams. This role requires 7+ years of experience managing technical projects, exceptional communication skills, and a solid understanding of various technical lifecycles. Candidates should possess a relevant degree, and prior experience in technology-driven industries is preferred. The position offers opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects for high-profile clients.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

401(k) Matching

Qualifications

• 7+ years managing complex technical programs or projects.
• Proven track record of delivering major programs on time.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end delivery of integrated programs.
• Translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Define and implement project management frameworks.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Communication

Risk Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Agile Methodologies

Education

Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field

Tools

Project Management Software

Agile Tools

Documentation Tools

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.

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 partnershipsManage and coordinate cross‑functional growth initiativesSupport global expansion, including entering new countries, managing projects, and supporting local hiring effortsConduct financial and strategic analysis to inform major growth and investment decisionsTake ownership of ambiguous, high‑impact projects and drive them from concept through executionTravel to key events to assess competitive dynamics and engage with influential stakeholdersIf 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 companyStrong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to turn insights into actionComfort operating in a fast‑paced, resource‑constrained environmentAbility to travel up to 50% of the timeIt’s a plus if you have:MBA or advanced business degreeExperience in a capital‑expenditure‑based technology business (as opposed to purely software or services)Experience in the entertainment industry