Program Finance Manager

BlackSky; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

401(k) match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Employee Assistance Program

Travel Assistance Programs

Job summary

BlackSky is seeking a Program Finance Manager to lead the creation of a new program finance function and provide robust financial oversight across a portfolio of programs. You will build forecasting models, drive variance analyses, and translate operational goals into fiscal targets while partnering with Program Management, Operations, and People.

You will mentor analysts, present data-driven dashboards to leadership, and ensure compliance with GAAP and internal controls as the organization

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business management, or related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of financial management or program/project finance experience in a professional services and/or government contracting environment.
• Strong business acumen with top-notch verbal and written communication skills along with the ability to build professional rapport with colleagues and external partners.
• A proficiency with Microsoft Excel modeling and familiarity with data query/data visualization tools (e.g., Cognos, SQL, Tableau, Power BI).
• A track record of identifying automation opportunities and improving efficiency via best practice adoption
• The ability to work and make decisions with a high degree of independence.
• Excellent attention to detail to support our best-in-class team.
• Eligibility to obtain a US Security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of initial program budgets and production of reliable forecasts of program Estimates at Completion (EACs) for BlackSky’s portfolio of customer-facing and internal programs.
• Support annual corporate operational planning efforts by providing guidance on staffing requirements for existing and proposed programs and performing risk & opportunity analyses at the program and overall portfolio level.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly budget-vs-forecast-vs-actual variance analyses to identify cost drivers and suggest corrective actions to the program manager.
• Monitor revenue recognition, track client billing, and ensure optimized utilization of funds across program deliverables.
• Build and maintain complex financial models to evaluate program profitability, spotlight anomalous portfolio performance, and project capital expenditures & cash flows.
• Serve as the primary financial advisor to Program Managers, helping them translate operational goals into fiscal targets.
• Act as a key liaison between BlackSky FP&A, Program Management, Operations, and People providing budget management, resource acquisition, and staffing recommendations.
• Strengthen BlackSky's program finance function by coaching staff analysts to develop critical skill sets and prioritizing tasks to optimize team performance.
• Prepare and present clear, data-driven financial dashboards and narrative memos for leadership and stakeholders.
• Maintain robust internal financial controls and ensure program expenditures strictly adhere to the BlackSky Fiscal Authority Matrix, GAAP, and contractual guidelines.

Skills

Excel modeling

Communication skills

Independence

Attention to detail

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance/economics/business

Tools

Cognos

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Program Finance Manager

About Us:

BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world’s most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers with satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets, and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky’s data enables governments and businesses to see, understand, and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused, and fun.

The Program Finance Manager will report to the VP, FP&A and will be integral to the creation of a new program finance function. As team leader, you will provide robust financial oversight to optimize the fidelity of BlackSky’s internal and external technical programs. You will be responsible for leading a collaborative analytical team that produces reliable and actionable forecasts to support BlackSky operations and will act as the financial subject‑matter expert guiding best practice adoption.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of initial program budgets and production of reliable forecasts of program Estimates at Completion (EACs) for BlackSky’s portfolio of customer-facing and internal programs.
• Support annual corporate operational planning efforts by providing guidance on staffing requirements for existing and proposed programs and performing risk & opportunity analyses at the program and overall portfolio level.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly budget-vs-forecast-vs-actual variance analyses to identify cost drivers and suggest corrective actions to the program manager.
• Monitor revenue recognition, track client billing, and ensure optimized utilization of funds across program deliverables.
• Build and maintain complex financial models to evaluate program profitability, spotlight anomalous portfolio performance, and project capital expenditures & cash flows.
• Serve as the primary financial advisor to Program Managers, helping them translate operational goals into fiscal targets.
• Act as a key liaison between BlackSky FP&A, Program Management, Operations, and People providing budget management, resource acquisition, and staffing recommendations.
• Strengthen BlackSky's program finance function by coaching staff analysts to develop critical skill sets and prioritizing tasks to optimize team performance.
• Prepare and present clear, data-driven financial dashboards and narrative memos for leadership and stakeholders.
• Maintain robust internal financial controls and ensure program expenditures strictly adhere to the BlackSky Fiscal Authority Matrix, GAAP, and contractual guidelines.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business management, or related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of financial management or program/project finance experience in a professional services and/or government contracting environment.
• Strong business acumen with top-notch verbal and written communication skills along with the ability to build professional rapport with colleagues and external partners.
• A proficiency with Microsoft Excel modeling and familiarity with data query/data visualization tools (e.g., Cognos, SQL, Tableau, Power BI).
• A track record of identifying automation opportunities and improving efficiency via best practice adoption
• The ability to work and make decisions with a high degree of independence.
• Excellent attention to detail to support our best-in-class team.
• Eligibility to obtain a US Security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Program Management Professional (PMP) or similar accreditation or certification is helpful but not required
• Experience in the SaaS, satellite/space, or related technology industry is helpful.
• TS/SCI Clearance highly preferred.

Life at BlackSky for full-time benefits-eligible employees includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance
  • BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!
• 15 days of PTO, 11 Company holidays, four Floating Holidays (pro-rated based on hire date), one day of paid volunteerism leave per year, parental leave and more
• 401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
• Employer matching donations
• Professional development
• Awesome swag

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $135,000 - $150,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education. BlackSky is a multi-state employer, and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Herndon, VA.

BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.