Program Manager – Defense Programs

W3Global; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark is seeking a senior defense-program manager to lead planning, execution, and delivery of complex DoD contracts. You will work with senior military leaders, government customers, and industry partners to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery and customer satisfaction.

The role requires leadership across functions and a focus on growth into a multi-hundred-million-dollar portfolio. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in DoD program management, Navy experience, and PM certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification required.
• 10+ years of progressive Program Management experience within the DoD/defense industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale defense programs and contracts at the $100M+ level.
• Strong preference for industry-side defense program management experience.
• Navy program experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex defense contracts, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and customer requirements.
• Experience working directly with senior military leaders and government customers.
• Strong understanding of defense manufacturing, supply chain, and operational environments.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including MS Project.
• ERP system experience is beneficial.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage program plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and performance objectives.
• Define program scope, requirements, timelines, and resource needs.
• Coordinate resources across manufacturing, facilities, supply chain, engineering, and operations.
• Support proposals, statements of work, specifications, pricing, and contractual requirements.
• Drive program execution from planning through successful delivery.
• Build relationships with senior military leaders, government representatives, prime contractors, and partners.
• Communicate program status, risks, milestones, and performance to stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional teams and program reviews, executive briefings, and customer presentations.
• Develop and manage budgets, track costs, and ensure profitability.
• Identify and mitigate program risks with contingency plans.
• Ensure compliance with DoD, ITAR, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Program management

DoD experience

Navy program experience

Contract management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

ERP experience

Job description

Position Summary

The Program Manager will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of complex Department of Defense (DoD) programs and contracts. This leadership-level position is responsible for ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with customer requirements and organizational objectives. The Program Manager will work closely with senior military leaders, government customers, industry partners, and internal leadership to drive program execution, operational excellence, and business growth. This role will play a key part in supporting Stark's growth strategy toward $200M-$300M in annual revenue, with visibility into a $750M-$1B opportunity pipeline. Candidates with strong industry-side defense program management experience are preferred over candidates whose experience is primarily on the U.S. Government side. Navy program experience is highly preferred.

Program Planning & Execution

• Develop and manage comprehensive program plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and performance objectives.
• Define program scope, requirements, timelines, and resource needs.
• Coordinate resources across manufacturing, facilities, supply chain, engineering, and operations.
• Support proposals, statements of work, specifications, pricing, and contractual requirements.
• Drive program execution from initial planning through successful delivery.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with senior military leaders, government representatives, prime contractors, and industry partners.
• Serve as a trusted customer-facing leader and primary point of contact for program execution.
• Communicate program status, risks, milestones, and performance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage customer expectations and proactively resolve issues.
• Ensure all contractual deliverables and commitments are achieved.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional program teams and establish clear roles, responsibilities, priorities, and accountability.
• Coordinate activities across operations, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, facilities, and other functional areas.
• Foster collaboration and quickly resolve issues or conflicts affecting program performance.
• Provide direction, coaching, and support to project team members.
• Lead program management reviews, executive briefings, progress reports, and customer presentations.

Budget & Cost Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets.
• Track labor, materials, overhead, subcontractor, and other program-related costs.
• Monitor financial performance and take corrective action when necessary.
• Ensure efficient utilization of resources while maintaining program profitability.

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and prioritize program risks and opportunities.
• Develop and implement mitigation and contingency strategies.
• Maintain active risk registers and monitor risks throughout the program lifecycle.
• Escalate critical issues and develop timely corrective actions.

Compliance, Governance & Quality

• Ensure programs comply with contractual, organizational, DoD, ITAR, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support CMMC readiness and compliance initiatives.
• Establish and maintain effective program governance and quality-control processes.
• Monitor program performance and address quality or compliance issues promptly.

Change Management

• Evaluate and manage changes to program scope, schedule, cost, resources, and requirements.
• Document and communicate approved changes to all affected stakeholders.
• Assess the impact of changes and develop mitigation plans to minimize disruption.

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a leadership-level Program Manager with direct visibility to Stark's executive leadership team.
• Contribute to long-term business and program growth strategies.
• Lead rapid program ramp-up and expansion efforts.
• Integrate manufacturing, facilities, supply chain, and operations into overall program execution.
• Develop long-term relationships with strategic suppliers and industry partners.
• Apply industry best practices to strengthen supply chain performance and program delivery.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve program execution, operational efficiency, cost, quality, and delivery.
• Apply Lean Six Sigma methodologies to drive measurable improvements.
• Continuously evaluate processes and implement best practices across programs.
• A Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt is a plus.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, technical training, and professional experience.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program/project management certification required.
• 10+ years of progressive Program Management experience within the DoD/defense industry.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale defense programs and contracts at the $100M+ level.
• Strong preference for industry-side defense program management experience.
• Navy program experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex defense contracts, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and customer requirements.
• Experience working directly with senior military leaders and government customers.
• Strong understanding of defense manufacturing, supply chain, and operational environments.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including MS Project.
• ERP system experience is beneficial.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.

Core Competencies

• Defense Program & Contract Management
• Program Planning & Execution
• DoD/Navy Program Experience
• Budget & Cost Management
• Risk & Change Management
• Customer & Executive Relationship Management
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain Integration
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Program Governance & Compliance
• Lean Six Sigma / Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Planning & Business Growth
• Executive Communication & Presentation Skills

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility but will provide leadership and direction to cross-functional program teams.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with standard physical requirements.
• Occasional standing, walking, and use of hands and arms may be required.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to work with documents and computer screens.

Schedule

Full-time | Monday-Thursday | 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Travel

Minimal travel is expected.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior defense-industry Program Manager who has successfully led $100M+ DoD programs, preferably within the Navy, and is comfortable operating at both the executive and customer level. This individual should combine strong program execution skills with commercial awareness, manufacturing and supply chain expertise, and the ability to operate in a fast-growing organization. The successful candidate will be a hands‑on leader who can take ownership, drive accountability, solve complex problems, build customer trust, and scale programs rapidly while maintaining cost, schedule, quality, and contractual performance.