Program Manager I or II

Woodward Aken GmbH; Niles (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Annual stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid parental leave

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Woodward is seeking seasoned program managers to lead high- and high-complexity programs, mentoring project managers and coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.

You will own program artifacts, govern projects, manage gates, and serve as the primary customer contact, delivering measurable business value using Agile at Scale and Planisware/Jira.

This role includes a comprehensive total rewards package and opportunities for development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical or business field is required.
• PMP certification is preferred.
• Experience in aerospace is a plus.
• Ability to manage high-complexity programs across functions.
• Knowledge of Agile or Lean Portfolio Management and related tools.

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.
• Act as the primary contact for customers, presenting updates, resolving issues, and building relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Alignment

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Risk Management

Analytical Thinking

Financial Management

Change Management

Program Management Tools

Leadership (Direct & Indirect)

Strategic Vision

Advanced Communication

Proactive Stakeholder Engagement

Advanced Risk Management

Critical Problem-Solving

Financial Expertise

Change Leadership

Technical Program Management Expertise

Customer-Focused Strategy

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a technical or business-related field

PMP certification (preferred)

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
• - Member referral bonus
• - 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. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

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.