The Program Manager - Defense is responsible for the successful execution of defense-related programs, with a strong focus on contract flow, operational coordination, and cost, schedule, and performance oversight.
This role is responsible for keeping programs moving?tracking activities, coordinating across teams, managing materials and subcontractors, and ensuring alignment with established cost, schedule, performance, and quality objectives.
The Program Manager works closely with program leadership and cross-functional teams to translate program objectives into actionable plans, monitor execution, provide oversight of program performance, and proactively identify and address risks, cost variances, schedule delays, and performance issues.
This is a hands-on, execution-driven role ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, structured environments where accountability, visibility, and follow-through matter.
Key Responsibilities
Program Execution & Coordination
- Lead day-to-day execution of U.S. Army and defense-related programs
- Translate program objectives into actionable tasks, milestones, and execution plans
- Coordinate activities across internal teams to ensure alignment with program priorities
- Monitor schedules, milestones, and deliverables to ensure timely execution
- Provide oversight of program activities to ensure work remains aligned with approved plans and objectives
- Identify risks, delays, blockers, and emerging issues, and develop or recommend mitigation strategies
- Communicate program status, progress, risks, and issues to leadership
- Support development and maintenance of program execution plans, schedules, and milestones
Cost, Schedule & Performance Oversight
- Monitor program cost, schedule, and performance against established baselines, contractual requirements, and internal objectives
- Track program budgets, expenditures, commitments, and cost variances
- Identify potential cost overruns, schedule impacts, and performance gaps and proactively communicate concerns to leadership
- Support forecasting of program costs, resource requirements, and schedule impacts
- Monitor subcontractor and supplier performance against cost, schedule, quality, and delivery expectations
- Develop and implement corrective actions when cost, schedule, or performance objectives are at risk
- Maintain visibility into key program performance indicators and milestones
- Prepare and support program reviews, status reports, and management briefings
- Evaluate program performance data and trends to identify opportunities for improved execution and resource utilization
- Maintain accountability for program commitments, deliverables, and performance objectives
- Support Earned Value Management (EVM) activities and analysis, as applicable
Contract & Operations Management
- Track and support all activities required to maintain contract flow
- Request quotes, issue purchase orders, and coordinate procurement activities
- Organize and track shipping, deliveries, and material flow
- Plan and monitor the use of materials across programs
- Maintain accurate records related to contracts, materials, costs, and program activity
- Ensure alignment between contract requirements and operational execution
- Support management and tracking of GSA schedules
- Monitor contract deliverables and requirements to ensure timely completion
- Identify contractual, operational, and financial risks that may affect program execution
Subcontractor & Customer Coordination
- Maintain strong working relationships with subcontractors and customers
- Communicate requirements, pricing, timelines, and deliverables clearly
- Ensure subcontractors are aligned with program expectations, cost targets, and schedules
- Monitor subcontractor performance and address issues that may impact program cost, schedule, or deliverables
- Provide timely updates and support issue resolution as needed
Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Review program and operational data to track performance, productivity, cost, and schedule
- Develop and maintain program performance metrics and tracking tools
- Identify trends, variances, and potential impacts to program objectives
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction, improved efficiency, and process improvement
- Support reporting on program health, execution metrics, financial performance, schedule status, and outcomes
- Prepare program reviews and executive-level status updates
- Maintain accountability and visibility across program cost, schedule, performance, and quality objectives
Process, Compliance & Quality Support
- Support compliance with company and industry standards, including:
- ISO requirements
- AS9100 standards
- Assist in maintaining and improving internal processes and documentation
- Contribute to quality initiatives and continuous improvement efforts
- Ensure program execution remains aligned with applicable contractual, regulatory, and company requirements
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Coordinate with engineering, operations, quality, procurement, finance, and leadership teams
- Ensure alignment between program goals and execution activities
- Support planning, prioritization, and resource coordination
- Facilitate communication between functional teams to address program risks, constraints, and priorities
- Support leadership in balancing program cost, schedule, performance, and resource requirements
