Program Manager

ED Wallach Search Group; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ED Wallach Search Group in Columbia, MD seeks a Program Manager to lead all phases of defense programs from award through closeout. You will be the primary customer interface, coordinate cross-functional teams, manage budgets, schedules, risks, and deliverables to meet contractual and safety requirements.

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, contracts, economics, or related technical discipline is required; an advanced degree and/or PMP certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of program management experience in the defense industry.
• Experience managing programs valued at roughly $5M-$25M annually.
• Experience with both commercial and U.S. government contracts.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. DoD security clearance.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Strong written and verbal communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs from inception through closeout, on schedule and within cost targets.
• Oversee program execution activities including cost, schedule, risk, and quality.
• Develop and control budgets, SOWs, WBS, OBS, and schedules.
• Coordinate customer reviews and obtain acceptance of deliverables.
• Travel internationally as required on select programs.

Skills

Program management

Communication

Leadership

Risk management

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, contracts, economics, or related technical discipline

Advanced degree and/or PMP certification preferred

Job description

Location: Columbia, MD

Security Clearance: US Citizen/Clearable

The Program Manager is responsible for leading all phases of product and service programs, from contract award through program closeout.
This role has full accountability for program execution, performance, and customer satisfaction, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products and services that meet contractual, technical, cost, schedule, quality, and safety requirements.
The Program Manager serves as the primary customer interface, directs cross-functional resources, and ensures all contractual obligations are fulfilled.
On select programs, this individual may serve in a deputy capacity as directed by the Vice President of Program Management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage assigned programs from inception through closeout, ensuring program requirements are achieved on schedule and within approved cost targets.
• Oversee all aspects of program execution, including proposal development, contract negotiations, program planning, scheduling, risk management, budgeting, cost control, technical performance, quality, safety, and delivery of contractual products, services, and data.
• Develop, maintain, and control required program documentation, including:
  • Program budgets and spend plans
  • Statements of Work (SOW)
  • Technical specifications
  • Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and dictionaries
  • Organizational Breakdown Structures (OBS)
  • Program schedules and work authorization documents
• Establish program milestones and monitor performance against master plans and schedules. Identify program risks and lead the development and execution of mitigation strategies.
• Manage programs within a matrixed organization, coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers and major vendors, including coordinating customer reviews and obtaining acceptance of deliverables.
• Utilize Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) to monitor and manage labor, material, travel, and other direct program costs.
• Support business growth by identifying follow-on opportunities with existing customers and assisting Business Development efforts on new initiatives, including proposal preparation and coordination.
• For applicable programs, oversee and support OCONUS activities conducted by the company and partner organizations, maintaining regular communication with international counterparts and traveling internationally as required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, contracts, economics, or a related technical discipline required.
• Advanced degree and/or PMP certification preferred.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of program management experience within the defense industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs valued at approximately $5M-$25M annually.
• Experience managing both commercial and U.S. government contracts.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Strong verbal and written communication, analytical, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and complex cross-functional initiatives in a high-pressure environment.