Client Program Manager

MILKOR; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Milkor Integrated Systems seeks a seasoned Client Program Manager to oversee the successful execution of customer contracts from award to delivery. You will coordinate Project Managers and cross‑functional teams to ensure on‑time, within‑budget delivery of high‑quality defence programs.

The ideal candidate will bring 10+ years in program management within defence/aerospace, strong leadership, excellent stakeholder engagement and proven ability to manage complex customer programs across multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in program, project or contract management.
• Experience within the defence, aerospace or aviation industry is advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex customer programs comprising multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract management experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers assigned to customer programs, ensuring alignment, prioritisation and successful execution across multiple projects.
• Monitor the performance and progress of multiple projects within each program, ensuring dependencies, risks and schedules are effectively managed.
• Support Project Managers in resolving delivery challenges and escalating issues where required.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned customers throughout the program lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong, long‑term customer relationships.
• Lead customer meetings, program reviews and regular progress reporting.
• Interpret contractual requirements and translate them into clear, actionable deliverables for internal teams.
• Ensure all contractual obligations are executed on time and to the required quality standards.
• Develop, maintain and monitor integrated program schedules and delivery plans.
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Production, Flight Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Quality and Finance.
• Identify program risks and mitigation plans.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or related field

Project Management qualification (PMP/PRINCE2) advantageous

Job description

Milkor Integrated Systems is a leading aerospace and defence company, recognised as the first in Africa to successfully develop and fly a UAV of its scale. Our teams design, develop and deliver cutting‑edge defence technology and integrated solutions for customers around the world.

As the Client Program Manager, you will be responsible for the successful execution of customer contracts from award through to final delivery. Serving as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, you will provide strategic oversight of one or more programs, leading and coordinating Project Managers and cross‑functional teams to ensure contractual commitments are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You will oversee program schedules, contractual obligations, risks and dependencies while maintaining strong customer relationships throughout the program lifecycle.

This role requires a commercially minded, highly organised leader who thrives in a fast‑paced defence environment. Working closely with Engineering, Production, Flight Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Quality and Finance, you will drive collaboration across the business, remove delivery obstacles, and ensure successful program execution from contract award to customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers assigned to customer programs, ensuring alignment, prioritisation and successful execution across multiple projects.
• Monitor the performance and progress of multiple projects within each program, ensuring dependencies, risks, resources and schedules are effectively managed.
• Support Project Managers in resolving delivery challenges, removing obstacles and escalating issues where required.
• Act as the primary point of contact for assigned customers throughout the program lifecycle.
• Build and maintain strong, long‑term customer relationships.
• Lead customer meetings, program reviews and regular progress reporting.
• Interpret contractual requirements and translate them into clear, actionable deliverables for internal teams.
• Ensure all contractual obligations and deliverables are executed on time, within scope and to the required quality standards.
• Develop, maintain and monitor integrated program schedules and delivery plans.
• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Production, Flight Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Quality and Finance.
• Identify program risks, dependencies and delivery constraints, implementing mitigation plans where required.
• Manage contract changes, scope amendments and customer requests.
• Track program performance, budgets and commercial commitments.
• Escalate critical issues where necessary and drive timely resolution.
• Foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to achieve program objectives and exceed customer expectations.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related field.
• A recognised Project Management qualification (PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent) will be advantageous.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in program, project or contract management.
• Experience within the defence, aerospace or aviation industry will be advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex customer programs comprising multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience providing leadership and direction to Project Managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract management experience.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem‑solving abilities.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will:

• Build credibility and trusted relationships with customers.
• Communicate confidently with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Take ownership and drive execution.
• Be proactive, decisive and solutions‑focused.
• Balance commercial priorities with operational delivery.
• Thrive in a dynamic, technically complex environment.
• Demonstrate exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Remain calm under pressure while managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Why Join Milkor?

At Milkor Integrated Systems, you will work alongside highly skilled engineering and operational teams developing advanced aerospace and defence capabilities for customers around the world. This is an opportunity to contribute to high‑impact programmes, solve complex challenges, and play a key role in delivering world‑class defence solutions.