Senior Program Manager
Keel
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Keel, a leader in defense manufacturing and heavy steel structures, seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead complex programs within the PMO, guiding cross‑functional teams and ensuring on‑time delivery.
You will own performance metrics, manage EVMS, forecast EACs, mentor staff, and maintain strong customer and supplier relationships while upholding Keel's standards.
This role requires 10–15 years of experience, a bachelor’s degree, and a PMP is preferred.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or finance or equivalent experience.
- 10–15 years in progressive program management with 5+ in leadership.
- Experience in manufacturing or production environments; heavy fabrication preferred.
- PMP certification preferred.
- Advanced knowledge of scheduling, risk, finance oversight, and cross‑functional coordination.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and mentor PMO staff across levels.
Responsibilities
- Lead high‑complexity programs with cross‑functional dependencies and customer sensitivity.
- Oversee EVMS, EAC forecasting, variance analysis, and cost/schedule integration.
- Directly supervise assigned Program/Project Managers and Coordinators.
- Provide executive reporting, communications, and accountability for programs.
- Engage with customers, OEMs, and prime contractors to ensure alignment.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Built on Experience. Built for Skill. Built for You.
Keel was formed by bringing together three industry leaders combining generations of hands‑on expertise in steel fabrication, shipbuilding, aerospace, and defense manufacturing.
That means when you join Keel, you’re joining a team backed by decades of proven craftsmanship and real‑world results.
We build ships, defense systems, aerospace components, and heavy steel structures that serve critical missions — and we do it with pride.
The Senior Program Manager provides leadership, execution oversight, and people management within the Program Management Office (PMO). This role leads high complexity programs that have expanded scope, significant financial impact, cross functional dependencies, or challenging customer environments while also supervising a portion of the PMO staff including assigned Program Managers, Project Managers, and Project Coordinators. The Senior Program Manager functions with a high degree of autonomy, driving successful program delivery, developing PMO talent, and ensuring consistent application of program management standards. The Senior Program Manager manages program level customer, OEM, and prime contractor relationships with autonomy, ensuring effective communication, alignment, and issue resolution. The Senior Program Manager is accountable for advanced program financial performance including EVMS discipline, EAC forecasting, variance analysis, and mentoring PMO staff in cost and schedule integration.?
- Leads the planning, execution, and governance of programs with elevated complexity, budget or P&L impact, technical challenge, or customer sensitivity. Owns program performance metrics including schedule, cost, risk, and technical outcomes, providing structured updates to the Director as required. Drives resolution of complex program issues and leads recovery plans when performance challenges arise. Ensures strong cross‑functional integration with engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance.??
- Oversees program financial performance through disciplined use of Earned Value Management, ensuring accurate measurement of cost and schedule status and maintaining control of the performance baseline. This role develops and updates EACs, analyzes variances, and partners with Finance to align program data with corporate reporting needs. Identifies emerging financial risks early and drives mitigation actions to protect cost, schedule, and margin commitments while also mentoring Program Managers and Project Managers in EVMS fundamentals, forecasting discipline, and cost and schedule integration.?
- Directly supervises assigned Program Managers as designated, Project Managers, and Project Coordinators. Provides coaching, performance feedback, objective setting, development planning, and workload balancing. Participates in hiring and termination decisions alongside the Director. Ensures consistent application of PMO processes, tools, and standards across supervised personnel.??
- The Senior Program Manager serves as an authoritative communicator for assigned programs, representing Keel with clarity and professionalism in all external interactions. This role ensures timely, accurate communication of program status, risks, financial performance, and key decisions to both customers and Keel senior leadership. Establishes consistent communication rhythms across internal and external stakeholders, drives alignment through transparent and structured updates, and models high quality written and verbal communication standards for the PMO team.?
- Manages program level relationships with customers, OEMs, and prime contractors ensuring clarity of expectations, alignment of deliverables, and timely issue resolution. Represents the company in program reviews and technical discussions. Handles most customer or OEM challenges autonomously, involving the Director only when issues exceed program level authority or carry contractual or enterprise risk. Supports Director led activities related to audits, milestone reviews, and high‑level contractual engagements.??
- Oversee program work orders, change requests, invoicing coordination, and adherence to financial and contractual requirements. Identifies potential scope expansion and value creation opportunities. Ensures disciplined baseline management and change control practices.??
- Identifies and manages program level risks and leads structured problem solving. Drives continuous improvement within assigned teams. Ensures accurate documentation, configuration control, and technical data management.???
- Oversees preparation of dashboards, communications, and program reviews. Ensure all supervised PMO personnel maintain accurate documentation.?
Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Finance, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. (Advanced degree preferred.)?
- Minimum 10-15 years of progressive program management or project management experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.?
- Experience in manufacturing or production environments required; heavy plate fabrication or welding-related industries strongly preferred.?
- PMP certification preferred.?
- Advanced knowledge of program management, including scheduling, risk management, financial oversight, and cross functional coordination.??
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and coach PMO staff across multiple levels.??
- Track record of driving programs to successful, on time, high‑quality delivery.?
- Strong communication skills for technical, financial, customer facing, and executive engagement.?
- Advanced proficiency in EVMS, including development of EACs, ETCs, variance analysis, and integration of cost and schedule data.?
- Ability to teach and mentor others in financial performance management, forecasting discipline, and earned value concepts.?
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as IFS and tools such as MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, and Power BI.??
- Ability to manage multiple high impact programs simultaneously.??
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with proven ability to manage multiple complex initiatives in a fast‑paced environment.?
- Knowledge of welding processes, NDT methods, and AWS codes preferred.?
- Between facilities as needed.
- May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach/pull/push with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel regularly.
- May lift or carry 50lbs. Weights exceeding 50lbs will require mechanical means to maneuver.
- Upholds Safety and Quality Standards
- Embodies Team Spirit
- Relentless Customer Focus
- Conveys Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
- Executes with Excellence and Velocity
- Inspires Team Members
- Communicates Effectively
- Resolves Problems
- Elevates Those Around Them
- Comprehensive Benefit Package
- Competitive Pay
- 401K Match
- HSA/FSA
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Internal Referral Bonus Opportunities
- Shift Differentials
- Overtime Potential
- Paid on the Job Training
- Certification Sponsorship Opportunities
- Committed to Individual Career Growth
- We Do Fun Things, Plus More!
If you require a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the employment process, please email talent@keelusa.com with details about your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests are reviewed individually on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that this email address is monitored only for inquiries related to reasonable accommodation requests.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
What we build, builds us.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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