Program Manager, Suburban Shield Program

Jobtailor; Missouri; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GM Defense is seeking a senior Program Manager to own the Suburban Shield program baseline and drive execution across scope, schedule, cost, and risk. You will lead a cross‑functional team, represent the program in executive reviews, and serve as the primary interface with the government and customers to ensure successful contract execution.

You will manage risks, trade‑offs, and resources to maximize profitability and on‑time delivery, while coaching Assistant PMs and coordinators and aligning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years of launch, manufacturing, planning, program management, or related field.
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).
• Proven track record leading cross-functional teams without direct authority, and making trade‑offs impacting program outcomes.
• Strong communication and analytical skills; able to influence senior leaders and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrated program baseline (scope, schedule, cost, risk) and approve changes.
• Represent the program in executive reviews and make recommendations on content, timing, and resource trade‑offs.
• Act as primary interface with government/customer for formal reviews, scope changes, and issue resolution.
• Lead and coach the Program Execution Team (PET) and set priorities and metrics.
• Drive on‑time completion of work and ensure contracts are executed to meet customer needs.
• Develop materials for internal gate reviews and external leadership reviews.
• Integrate supporting functional processes and manage ongoing program execution.
• Identify and manage issues and risks with effective decision framing and resolution.

Skills

Program Management

Cross-Functional Leadership

Risk Assessment

Cost Management

Schedule Management

Decision Making

Trade-Off Analysis

Contract Execution

Performance Metrics

Issue Resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

• Serve as the overall owner for the Suburban Shield program’s business case, accountable for meeting or exceeding cost targets.
• Own the integrated program baseline (scope, schedule, cost, and risk) and approve changes, trade‑offs, and mitigation plans to keep the program on track.
• Represent the program in executive reviews (e.g., gate reviews, portfolio reviews), making clear recommendations and decisions on content, timing, and resource trade‑offs.
• Act as the primary program interface with the government/customer program for Suburban Shield, including formal reviews, negotiations on scope and changes, and issue resolution.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and coaching to Assistant Program Managers, Program Coordinators, and other matrixed team members; serve as a visible role model for GM Behaviors.
• Manage and oversee current execution of the Suburban Shield contracts.
• Collaborate with the Business Creation and Product Development leads to ensure future Request for Proposal submissions (technical feasibility, timing, resources, etc) are executable upon contract award.
• Execute the awarded contracts, achieving customer requirements, exceeding expectations, and maximizing GM Defense profitability.
• Manage government and GM Defense program imperatives, including schedule, performance, cost, resources, risk assessment, and gap closure plans.
• Lead and manage the cross-functional Program Execution Team (PET) enabling all participants to contribute to their full potential.
• Set clear priorities, success metrics, and decision cadence for the PET; hold functional leaders accountable for commitments and deliverables.
• Proactively identify and manage issues and risks through effective decision framing and drive for resolution.
• Communicate clearly through standalone presentations, team meetings, and one‑on‑one discussions with senior leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• Develop materials for internal gate reviews and external Government/Customer leadership reviews.
• Integrate all supporting functional processes.
• Drive on‑time completion of work.
• Develop high‑performing teams by establishing behavioral norms and clear priorities.
• Handle a variety of non‑recurring special assignments as directed by program leadership.
• Drive discipline and adherence to program management processes, understanding where adaptation is required to support GM Defense Customers and process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years of launch, manufacturing, planning, program management, or related field, with demonstrated ownership of complex, multi‑year programs.
• Candidate must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee).
• Passion for developing customer‑focused product solutions and delivering high‑quality outcomes for defense customers.
• Proven track record operating at a management level or equivalent scope, including: Leading cross‑functional teams without direct authority, Making trade‑off decisions that impact program financials, content, and timing, Presenting to and influencing senior leaders and/or external customers.
• High level of independent judgment and analytical ability to solve unique execution and business problems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross‑functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Effective at dealing with ambiguity and change, maintaining effectiveness in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Strong leadership, initiative and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliverables.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in program management, including ownership of complex, multi‑year programs, effective leadership of cross‑functional teams, and strong communication skills to influence senior leaders and external stakeholders. Proficient in managing program execution, risk assessment, and ensuring customer‑focused outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Program Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Risk Assessment
• Customer-Focused Solutions
• Microsoft Office Proficiency

Hard Skills

• Program Management
• Risk Assessment
• Cost Management
• Schedule Management
• Change Management
• Decision Making
• Trade-Off Analysis
• Contract Execution
• Performance Metrics
• Issue Resolution

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Adaptability

Industry Keywords

• Defense Industry
• Program Execution Team
• Government Relations
• Proposal Submissions
• Customer Requirements

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint