Program Manager I or II

16 MPC Products Corporation (Woodward MPC, Inc.); Niles (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual stock contribution (5%)

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Paid time off and disability

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

Life and disability benefits

Flexible spending

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Woodward is seeking a seasoned Program Manager to lead and mentor PMs, ensuring successful project execution across aerospace initiatives. The role covers governance, strategy, budget, and risk management while aligning with engineering, manufacturing and supply chain functions.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, strong communication, and experience managing complex programs; ITAR/EAR and customer interaction are part of the role. Competitive benefits and compensation accompany the role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business field.
• Experience leading complex, high-risk programs.
• ITAR/EAR considerations and customer interaction experience.

Responsibilities

• Level I: Lead programs and mentor PMs to ensure project execution.
• Own program results, manage strategy, schedule, budget, risk, and ROI.
• Level II: Drive high-complexity programs and governance with cross-functional teams.
• Act as primary customer contact and align with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Risk management

Financial management

Change management

Program management tools

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Jira

Planisware

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Level I: Estimated annual base pay: $115,000 (minimum) - $149,500 (midpoint) - $184,000 (maximum) Level II: Estimated annual base pay: $143,000 (minimum) - $179,000 (midpoint) - $215,000 (maximum) All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.

• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including: Home / Auto Insurance discounts Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Level I: Key Responsibilities

• Lead programs and mentor Project Managers and Coordinators to ensure successful project execution.
• Own program results, ensuring alignment with goals and objectives.
• Create and manage program artifacts such as strategy, benefits, scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and ROI.
• Lead program governance efforts and ensure compliance with organizational policies.
• Manage program gates and deliverables, ensuring timely progress and completion.

Level II: Key Responsibilities

• Lead high-complexity, high-risk programs, and directly manage Project Managers and Coordinators.
• Drive program results that align with long-term organizational strategies and business goals.
• Develop and refine detailed program artifacts while adapting them to strategic priorities and business needs.
• Lead governance efforts for high-risk programs, ensuring strong oversight and compliance with policies.
• Resolve cross-functional challenges and ensure alignment across departments (e.g., engineering, manufacturing, supply chain).
• Act as the primary contact for customers, presenting updates, resolving issues, and building relationships.

Level I: Key Skills

• Leadership (Indirect): Inspire cross-functional teams using emotional intelligence, building trust, and fostering collaboration.
• Strategic Alignment: Align programs with organizational strategies to deliver measurable business value.
• Communication: Effectively communicate with team members, stakeholders, and executives, tailoring messages to different audiences.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identify and address stakeholder needs, expectations, and concerns to foster positive relationships.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks while developing contingency plans to handle uncertainties.
• Analytical Thinking: Apply critical thinking to solve complex problems and track progress using metrics and KPIs.
• Financial Management: Manage budgets, forecast costs, and allocate resources efficiently across multiple projects.
• Change Management: Support adoption of program outcomes and address resistance to change effectively.
• Program Management Tools: Utilize methodologies like Agile or Lean Portfolio Management and tools such as Jira or Planisware to manage projects efficiently.

Level II: Key Skills

• Leadership (Direct and Indirect): Lead cross-functional teams directly or indirectly with vision and emotional intelligence, driving performance and accountability.
• Strategic Vision: Demonstrate ability to align programs with organizational strategies while contributing to the creation of broader strategic goals.
• Advanced Communication: Communicate effectively across diverse audiences, including executives, customers, and stakeholders, delivering clear and impactful messages.
• Proactive Stakeholder Engagement: Anticipate stakeholder needs and proactively address expectations and concerns.
• Advanced Risk Management: Develop contingency plans and adapt strategies to effectively mitigate risks in high-complexity programs.
• Critical Problem-Solving: Solve complex program issues using advanced data analysis, critical thinking, and KPI tracking.
• Financial Expertise: Balance competing demands, optimize resource usage, and ensure cost-effectiveness while delivering program objectives.
• Change Leadership: Drive organizational change initiatives, foster stakeholder buy-in, and overcome resistance to change.
• Technical Program Management Expertise: Manage interdependent projects using methodologies like Agile at Scale or Lean Portfolio Management.
• Ensure synergy across projects and deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Customer-Focused Strategy: Build and maintain customer relationships, acting as a key representative to ensure satisfaction and resolve issues efficiently.

Successful Candidates Typically Have:

• Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s of Science in a technical or business-related field.
• Industry Experience: Experience in aerospace is a plus.
• Certification: PMP (Project Management Professional) certification preferred.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.

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What does it mean to be part of Woodward?

It means contributing to what matters most in your career, in your community and around the world. It means being a part of rewarding experiences, where innovation, collaboration and problem-solving are at the heart of what we do.

Woodward is the global leader in the design, manufacturing, and service of energy conversion and control solutions for the aerospace and industrial equipment markets. Together with our customers, we are enabling the path to a cleaner, decarbonized world.

Our innovative fluid, combustion, electrical, propulsion and motion control systems perform in some of the world’s harshest environments. At Woodward we have created a culture that appreciates and values the contributions of every member. We are a global team of curious, innovative problem-solvers who commit our knowledge, resources and technical expertise to the challenges associated with reducing emissions, enabling alternative energy sources and increasing efficiency, always innovating for a better future.

Woodward is working with our customers to solve some of the world’s biggest energy challenges. This important work needs more than just the brightest technical minds. It requires talented and committed manufacturing professionals, accountants, supply chain managers, human resources experts, information technology specialists and many more. We are looking for dedicated people who want to learn and grow in a supportive environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and inclusion.