SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER

Dreams 2 Reality Recruitment; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dreams 2 Reality Recruitment is seeking a Senior Program Manager in Tulsa, OK for a leading aerospace/defense manufacturing client. You will oversee cross-functional IPTs, manage contracts, and ensure program success from inception through delivery.

The role requires 7+ years in aerospace/defense program management, strong leadership, and a track record of managing multi-department projects with tight schedules and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
• PMP or CAPM certification preferred.
• 7+ years in program management in aerospace/defense/manufacturing.
• Experience with $25M+ programs and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary customer contact and lead IPTs across functions.
• Coordinate schedules, budgets, and resources to meet contractual obligations.
• Oversee contract performance, invoicing, and financial oversight.
• Develop and present program reviews and status updates to leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement and lean initiatives across operations and admin.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) and phase-gate processes.
• Prepare and negotiate customer contracts and change requests.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Lean/Six Sigma/Kaizen

MRP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS)

MBA preferred

PMP/CAPM preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Industry: Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Performance Center
Product Focus: Advanced circuit cards for aerospace and defenseapplications
Travel: Up to 30%

Position Overview

Our client, a leading manufacturer of advanced circuit cardsfor the aerospace and defense industries, is seeking an experienced SeniorProgram Manager to oversee and drive the successful execution of customerprograms.

This individual will serve as the primary point of contactfor customers, ensuring programs are delivered in accordance with contractualobligations, technical requirements, schedules, quality standards, andfinancial objectives.

The Senior Program Manager will lead cross-functionalIntegrated Product Teams (IPTs), coordinate internal resources, manage customerrelationships, oversee contract performance, and drive continuous improvementinitiatives. This role requires a strong combination of program management,customer relationship management, contract administration, financial oversight,and operational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Customer Relationship & Program Leadership

• Serveas the primary point of contact for customers throughout the programlifecycle.
• Buildand maintain strong customer relationships while ensuring expectations and contractual commitments are met.
• LeadIntegrated Product Teams (IPTs) and ensure customer requirements arecommunicated and executed across all functional departments.
• Monitorcustomer scorecards, surveys, and performance metrics.
• Providetimely communication to customers and senior leadership regarding programcosts, quality concerns, schedule changes, and potential risks.
• Leadcustomer program reviews and presentations.
• Coordinatecustomer inquiries and ensure timely, accurate responses.
• OverseeNew Product Introduction (NPI) activities and phase-gate processes.

2. Internal Coordination & Cross-FunctionalLeadership

• Coordinatewith Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, Contracts, and otherdepartments to ensure successful program execution.
• Leadprogram teams to achieve established objectives while maintainingalignment with corporate policies, budgets, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensurecustomer requirements are accurately translated into internal operationaland technical deliverables.
• Developand coordinate program schedules, recovery plans, status reports, andperformance updates.
• Partnerwith leadership to align company capabilities and resources with customerexpectations.
• Communicatecustomer cost-reduction and process-improvement objectives throughout theorganization.
• LeadLean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives across operationaland administrative functions.
• Overseeprogram bookings and backlog inputs into the MRP system.
• Presentprogram performance updates to senior leadership.

3. Contract & Commercial Management

• Reviewand analyze customer contracts, purchase orders, and contractualrequirements, including terms and conditions, scope of work, funding,performance periods, and deliverables.
• Coordinatecontract reviews with the Director of Contracts and other relevantstakeholders.
• Developnegotiation strategies and lead customer contract negotiations.
• Monitorprogram compliance with contractual and purchase order requirements.
• Prepareand manage customer claims, assertions, and other contractualcommunications as needed.

4. Operations & Resource Management

• Partnerwith Operations leadership to ensure production and operationalrequirements support program commitments.
• Coordinatestaffing, resource allocation, and Integrated Product Team development.
• Supportoperational planning, capital expenditure requirements, and preventativemaintenance initiatives.
• Identifypotential production constraints and work with cross-functional teams todevelop solutions that protect program schedules and customer commitments.

5. Financial & Fiscal Management

• Monitorprogram financial performance, including costs, margins, budgets, andschedules.
• Analyzeactual versus projected performance and identify potential financialrisks.
• Provideinput to Finance for program cash flow forecasting and planning.
• Partnerwith Finance to support customer invoicing, resolve payment delays, andaddress customer claims or disputes.
• Ensureprogram financial objectives remain aligned with contractual commitmentsand company profitability goals.

6. Business Development & Program Growth

• Overseebusiness unit bookings, backlog, past-due orders, receivables, and salesforecasts.
• Maintainaccurate booking and sales tracking systems to support monthly businessreporting.
• Identifyopportunities for follow-on business and coordinate planning to meetcustomer lead-time requirements.
• Partnerwith Business Development to identify, pursue, and capture new businessopportunities.
• Supportcustomer cost-reduction initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Travelto customer locations as needed, approximately 30%.

7. Proposal Development & Customer Audits

• Leadcross-functional proposal teams in developing and submitting proposals fornew and follow-on business.
• Coordinatewith Estimating to establish pricing, cost structures, schedules, andcapital investment requirements.
• Ensureproposals meet customer requirements and align with company businessobjectives.
• Supportcustomer, DCAA, and DCMA audits as required.

Required Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Strongleadership skills with the ability to influence and lead cross-functionalteams without direct authority.
• Excellentnegotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strongorganizational, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Abilityto communicate effectively with customers, senior leadership, andemployees across all organizational levels.
• Experiencein program management, production control, contract administration, orrelated manufacturing functions.
• Strongcustomer service orientation and attention to detail.
• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Workingknowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuousimprovement methodologies.
• Familiaritywith Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
• Acollaborative, team-oriented mindset with a focus on operationalexcellence and continuous improvement.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor'sdegree (BA/BS) required; MBA preferred.
• Minimumof 7+ years of experience in program management within anaerospace, defense, or manufacturing environment.
• PMP orCAPM certification preferred.
• Additionaltraining or certification in contract administration or project managementis a plus.
• Experienceoverseeing programs valued at $25 million or more is highly desirable.
• Previoussupervisory or people management experience is preferred.
• Experiencemanaging complex customer programs involving multiple departments,contractual requirements, budgets, and production schedules is stronglypreferred.

Additional Requirements

• Abilityto travel up to 30% to support customer relationships and programactivities.
• Abilityto work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strongcommitment to customer satisfaction, program execution, and continuousimprovement.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experiencedprogram management professional to take ownership of strategic aerospace anddefense programs while working with advanced manufacturing technologies andhigh-profile customers.