Aerospace Program Manager (Ottawa or Calgary)

Morson Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Program Manager to oversee the implementation of in-service support for the Department of National Defence. The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and extensive experience in program management. The ideal candidate will have a track record in managing multi-million dollar defense programs, effective communication skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams. This is a permanent role based in Ottawa or Calgary.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience managing complex programs.
• Proven track record in acquiring and supporting programs.
• Experience in budget management and scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead implementation of in-service support.
• Serve as primary contact for program-related matters.
• Manage all program activities including cross-departmental collaboration.
• Establish and manage project governance.

Skills

Program management

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

PMP certification or equivalent

Job description

Program Manager/In-Service Support

Permanent role

Ottawa or Calgary

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead our emerging In-Service Support offering to Department of National Defence / Royal Canadian Air Force. The individual will be responsible for managing the development and implementation of a comprehensive in-service support logistics plan within the parameters of the Global Support Solution Program.

The Program Manager will be expected to motivate and guide a cross-functional project team spanning engineering, operations, and supply chain to first define a work scope, working closely with the Joint Program Office, Canadian government representatives and industry partners. Once the work scope has been clearly defined, the Program Manager will then be responsible to implement the agreed support within time, cost, and quality targets.

This high-profile role involves strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and program governance to ensure program success in alignment with customer and corporate expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, lead the implementation and deliver, initially, the “Base Supply” in-service support to the program.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all program-related matters with internal teams, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all deliverables meet customer requirements and align with our strategic objectives.
• Manage all project and program activities, including cross-departmental collaboration (engineering, operations, supply chain).
• Establish and manage project governance.
• Direct and motivate project teams to achieve milestones and objectives within scope, time, and budget constraints.
• Organize, coordinate, and lead internal and external program activities.
• Oversee risk management, change control, and issue resolution processes.

Financial and Operational Oversight:

• Develop and manage the annual operating plan and budget of the program.
• Provide accurate forecasting and financial tracking in alignment with corporate reporting requirements.
• Manage program schedules and ensure alignment with contractual obligations.

Stakeholder Communication and Reporting:

• Maintain strong relationships with Joint Program Office, Canadian government / Royal Canadian Air Force representatives and international defense stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication across all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Prepare and deliver detailed status reports and executive updates.

Team and Resource Management:

• Lead resource planning across concurrent projects.

Resolve resource conflicts and promote cross-functional collaboration.

Required:

· Minimum 7–10 years of experience managing complex programs, preferably in the aerospace or defense sector. · Proven track record in managing full life-cycle acquisition and support programs. · Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills. · Experience in budget management, scheduling, and program governance. · Experience in Canadian defense industry practices and regulatory environments. · PMP certification or equivalent.

Preferred:

· Royal Canadian Air Force veteran. · Bilingual (English and French).

Ability to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance.