Senior Program Manager

Nova Sky Stories; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading drone entertainment company is seeking a Sr. Program Manager to oversee complex program delivery, requiring extensive experience in managing technical projects across diverse teams. The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication skills and a solid understanding of technical processes. Responsibilities include driving project delivery and facilitating cross-functional collaboration. This full-time position offers the chance to shape innovative storytelling in the sky and work closely with talented professionals in an exciting industry.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience managing complex technical programs.
• Strong track record of delivering projects on time.
• Exceptional presentation skills for executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end delivery of integrated programs.
• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans.
• Translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.

Skills

Program management

Communication

Technical project management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Job description

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At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, Nova Sky Stories has been advancing drone entertainment for over a decade with a veteran team of artists and engineers.

Nova prioritizes safety by developing lightweight, small, precise drones and optimizes reliability to seamlessly fly in urban areas, extreme temperatures, and high winds. Through the seamless fusion of technology and artistry, Nova transforms drone performances into breath-taking Sky Stories that capture hearts and minds.

With offices across the USA and Europe, Nova Sky Stories is an international company working with the world’s greatest venues, brands, and events.

About this role

As a Sr. Program Manager at Nova Sky Stories, you will be the foundational leader ensuring the successful delivery of complex programs that define our future. We are looking for someone who embodies the role of both a builder and a connector. Someone that is a professional who thrives on detail but never loses sight of the ultimate goal.

A successful Sr. Program Manager will possess the technical depth to discuss system architecture and measure project velocity, as well as the communication skills to translate these concepts into a clear, compelling creative vision for technical and non-technical audiences alike. You will be the essential communication link that keeps our technical programs moving forward efficiently and strategically.

Responsibilities

Program Management & Delivery

• Drive the end-to-end delivery of integrated programs spanning software, hardware, and production operations, from initial concept through successful deployment and post-launch optimization.
• Develop, track, and rigorously manage comprehensive project plans, timelines, and dependencies across diverse, often global, and cross-functional teams.
• Partner closely with leaders across the organization to align strategic goals, key milestones, and critical resource allocation.
• Structure and lead cross-functional meetings and workshops that are efficient, result in clear decisions, and maintain accountability across all participants.

Technical Leadership & Communication

• Translate and communicate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable, and audience-specific language for diverse groups, including engineers, creative producers, and executive leadership.
• Serve as the first line of defense, rigorously identifying, escalating, and resolving dependencies, risks, and technical challenges before they impact program delivery.
• Act as the connective tissue across the organization, ensuring smooth and transparent information flow, clear prioritization, and strategic visibility.
• Establish and track key program performance metrics (KPIs), delivering accurate and transparent health reports to leadership and stakeholders.

Process Optimization & Enablement

• Define and implement efficient, scalable project management frameworks (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, hybrid models) to improve delivery speed, quality, and predictability.
• Centralize and standardize best practices for communication, documentation, and technical decision-making across all global teams.
• Drive continuous improvement in technical workflows and tools with the core mandate to make engineering and operations teams faster, not slower.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Strong, collaborative partnerships with teams across engineering, creative, production, and business operations to ensure holistic alignment and shared ownership.
• Champion collaboration across different time zones and cultural backgrounds while consistently promoting Nova Sky Stories' core values of safety, creativity, and innovation.

Requirements

• 7+ years of direct experience managing complex technical programs or projects that involve cross-functional teams.
• A proven track record of successfully driving alignment across diverse teams and consistently delivering major programs on time and within defined scope.
• Strong, foundational understanding of various technical development lifecycles (e.g., software development, hardware production, or systems integration).
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, including demonstrated experience crafting and delivering clear, impactful presentations to executive stakeholders.
• The ability to proactively anticipate challenges, rigorously mitigate risks, and adapt quickly and effectively to fast-paced, changing organizational priorities.

Nice to have

• Direct experience in media, live events, aerospace, robotics, or other technology-driven creative industries.
• Background in managing complex software, hardware, or systems integration projects.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), or other relevant Agile certifications.
• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Project Management

Industries

Entertainment Providers