Program Manager (PM)

DEFTEC Corporation; New London (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

Paid time off

401K with match

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

DEFTEC Corporation seeks a Program Manager to lead day-to-day operations of contractor-provided museum services, coordinating administration, visitor services, volunteers, education, IT/AV support, and event activities. The PM will liaise with Government counterparts, manage invoicing, staffing costs, and performance records, and translate a 5-year vision into annual plans.

Candidates should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field and 7+ years of leadership experience in museums

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in museum studies, art history, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Tier 1/NACI Background Clearance will be obtained by the candidate at hire and must clear the process.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or similar nonprofit environment, including at least three (3) years managing budgets and personnel.
• Knowledge and experience in program management, museum operations, financial stewardship, HR, and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Direct day-to-day Contractor-provided services.
• Departmental Oversight: Oversee administration, visitor services, volunteer coordination, education support, IT/AV, exhibit maintenance, and event support.
• Project Management: Serve as the key liaison between the Contractor and Government for contract performance and museum operations.
• Contract Administration and Financial Management: Manage invoicing, staffing costs, performance records, and communications with CO and COR; shall not obligate Government funds or direct Government employees.
• Institutional Support: Recommend Contractor procedures and support implementation of Government-approved museum policies; Government maintains final authority on policy, collections, safety, and program content.

Skills

Program Management

Museum Operations

Financial Stewardship

Human Resources

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in related field

Job description

Program Manager (PM)

DEFTEC delivers mission-critical solutions through skillfully delivered services and innovative products. We are inspired by our clients' critical missions and driven to provide the most effective solutions to execute their missions, operational challenges, and requirements. Our dedicated, experienced, and talented employees work closely with our clients to ensure the delivery of exceptional services and products.

Position Overview:

The Program Manager provides day-to-day operational leadership of Contractor-provided museum services, including administration, visitor services, volunteer coordination, education support, IT/AV support, exhibit maintenance support, and event support, while serving as the primary liaison between the Contractor and the Government. This role manages contract administration and financial matters such as invoicing, staffing costs, performance records, and communications with the CO and COR, and recommends Contractor procedures that support Government-approved museum policies. The Program Manager does not obligate Government funds or direct Government employees, and the Government retains final authority over policy, collections, public access, safety, and program content. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor's or master's degree in museum studies, art history, business or public administration, or a related field, and brings seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, or similar environment, including at least three years managing budgets and personnel. Strong back-of-house museum knowledge, financial stewardship, HR proficiency, and the ability to turn a 5-year strategic vision into annual work plans and KPIs are essential, and the candidate must obtain and clear a Tier 1/NACI background investigation. Preferred strengths include Coast Guard or museum operations expertise, crisis and risk management, digital integration experience, and the interpersonal diplomacy to bridge curatorial and administrative teams.

Job Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership
• Departmental Oversight: Direct day-to-day Contractor-provided services, including administration, visitor services, volunteer coordination, education support, IT/AV support, exhibit maintenance support, and event support.
• Project Management: Serve as the key liaison between the Contractor and the Government for the performance of this contract and support museum operations.
• Contract Administration and Financial Management: Manage Contractor invoicing, staffing costs, performance records, and communications with the CO and COR. The Program Manager shall not obligate Government funds or direct Government employees.
• Institutional Support: Recommend Contractor procedures and support implementation of Government-approved museum policies. The Government retains final authority over policy, collections, public access, safety, and program content.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor's degree or master's degree in museum studies, art history, business administration, public administration, or a related field is required.
• A Tier 1/NACI Background Clearance will be obtained by the candidate at hire and must successfully complete and clear the process.
• Experience: Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a museum, cultural institution, public attraction, or similar nonprofit environment, including at least three (3) years managing budgets and personnel.
• Knowledge and Experience:
• Program Management: Deep familiarity with managing personnel and performance management.
• Museum Operations: Familiarity with the "back-of-house" including registration, collections care, exhibition production, and facility management.
• Financial Stewardship: Experience planning and monitoring complex operating budgets and labor expenditures.
• Human Resources: Proficiency in performance management, recruitment, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
• Strategic Planning: Proven track record of translating a 5-year strategic vision into actionable annual work plans and KPIs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Museum or Coast Guard Expertise: Experience with running a museum or with Coast Guard mission and history to enable training of contractor staff with minimal oversight from the Government.
• Crisis & Risk Management: Ability to manage everything from facility emergencies (leaks, security breaches) to public relations crises.
• Digital Integration: Experience implementing modern museum tech, such as advanced Collection Management Systems (CMS) or digital visitor engagement tools.
• Interpersonal Diplomacy: The "bridge-builder" skill-the ability to mediate between curatorial staff (the creative side) and administrative staff (the fiscal side).

DEFTEC offers a comprehensive whole-life benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, holiday, paid time off, 401K with a match, life insurance, short/long-term disability, and educational reimbursement. The DEFTEC team comprises professionals who make a difference daily in crucial national security missions. Our leadership knows that this happens by employing a diverse team that is well cared for. Our top priority is our employees, making DEFTEC an ideal workplace.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Please get in touch with [e-mail] if you require reasonable accommodations.

DEFTEC is a Drug-Free Workplace where post-offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.

AAP/EEO Statement

DEFTEC Corp is an Equal Opportunity and Aff…

This policy applies to all terms of employment, includingrecruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.