Program Manager

Job Purpose

Key strategic programs that, if successful, will lead to the success and growth of AEC require a higher level of program leadership. Specifically, this position must include intense, frequent, and high-level communications across the spectrum of the customer's organization and AEC. The communications will run the gamut from day-to-day issues to technical issues to strategic communications that impact the nature of the relationship over the long term. Incumbents must clearly understand each and be skilled in each level. Further, the position will be accountable for program progress - the movement of the program along a typically ill or undefined path. This is not the same as the achievement of technical program milestones (which is a subset) but rather the consolidation of all pertinent milestones to construct the program-level roadmap and oversee the completion of that roadmap with functional counterparts. Position also includes typical program functionality including program budget/achievement of program budget and targets, new business, and the strategic value and communication of same. Additionally, the incumbent must have the general industry knowledge to understand where this program fits, why it is strategic, and any risks associated that require mitigation.

Job Responsibilities

• Key participant in pre-award strategy development and proposal activities. Supports preparation of proposals, program business plans, and statements of work. Translates customer requirements into product and service specifications and budgets. Works closely with and supports business development, engineering, production, finance, legal, and other personnel to develop and negotiate contract terms and conditions, and contract changes.
• Primary program interface with the customer and manages that customer expectations are consistently matched with contractual obligations throughout the program. Interfaces frequently with Customer personnel at all levels (Programs, Technical, Quality, and Purchasing/ Supply chain). Acts as primary customer contact for program activities, including coordination and direction of program review sessions with customer and internal functional groups to review cost, schedule, technical, and overall program performance regularly.
• Directs all phases of customer programs from inception through (life of program) completion. Responsible for delivering assigned programs on schedule and within budget. Coordinates with functional managers to secure the resources required to meet program objectives. Assumes lead accountability for developing and maintaining the master project plan/roadmap and for achieving project milestones and schedules. Influences various line functions and customers to deliver required outputs to meet project milestones on time.

• Support multiple projects of varying size and complexity.
• Manage priorities and objectives across functional groups for internal alignment against program requirements.
• Drive expedited key decisions for key program activities and requirements to avoid program delays and risk to the schedule.
• Escalate conflicts of capacity (equipment, materials, resources) across competing customers to senior management through resolution if appropriate.

• Coordinate with functional managers as required to identify and secure appropriate resources on assigned programs. Assures that contractual obligations and project scope are clearly defined and communicated to all members of the program team, and that functional managers meet objectives necessary for successful program execution. Manage development and production program scope increases to maintain margins on program.
• Lead assembly of monthly financial close reporting tools for assigned development programs and remaining costs and contractual compliance to internal audit standards, and customer budgets if they exist. (Responsible and accountable to accuracy)
• Lead activities in new business development and program extension activities within the assigned customer and technology readiness level.
• Nothing in this document restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Qualifications/Characteristics

• Strong skills in successful program management principles with emphasis on quality, cost, and schedule. Ability to strategically manage big-picture aspects and details.
• Financial skills and knowledge to fully understand what drives our customers in this program and what we need to put in place internally to meet those needs. This includes contractual and non-contractual issues covering the incidence of cost, revenue generation and recognition, capital requirements, project accounting for development, and NRC and lean accounting within the facilities.
• Contract and legal skills and knowledge to work successfully with our current contracts and help create new contracts that reflect what we can do straightforwardly. Ability to work with legal counsel to generate the most effective and beneficial relationship possible and express that legally.
• Ability to develop and maintain strategic customer relationships and have skills to manage difficult customer situations while projecting company competence and confidence to the customer.
• Ability to successfully communicate (internally and externally) complex issues surrounding a project with a solid grasp of the business / commercial details and the technical details, including the interpersonal skills required to create and confidently deliver a cohesive and structured presentation (within a group or by electronic communication media). Additionally, the emotional intelligence to assess across cultures the business needs and translate that into execution steps for the home team.
• 15+ years of program management experience, including new product introduction experience, operational leadership, or 10+ years project engineering/management experience in the aerospace industry or within an engineered products environment that requires significant product development and engineering input prior to transition to production.
• Demonstrated communications experience with customers including reducing complex issues to straightforward approaches while facilitating multiple levels and functions towards program objectives - internally and externally.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and individual programs/ projects.
• Bachelor's of Engineering or other appropriate degree from an accredited college, or equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA preferred.
• Demonstrates high sense of urgency, great listening/understanding skills, and the ability to work intensely to advance the program and fully understand why. Additionally, demonstrates the ability to get others to follow and the empathy to ensure we do not burn the teams out in the process.
• Technical background/ experience/ knowledge in complex aerospace deliverables. Direct composites or advanced textiles technical experience preferred.
• Strong business/program capture experience and/or technical sales plus key account management experience is helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience working with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems - experience with SAP and SAP Project Systems module is a plus.
• Understanding of AS9100 and related business needs for operation in aerospace required.
• Ability to receive DoD Secret security clearance.

Working Conditions

Office environment, duties performed indoors, moderate to quiet noise, and comfortable temperatures. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental condition levels. Ability to work 24/7 schedule and be available as business situations require. Some may be able to do part of their work remotely. Travel may be required.

Physical requirements

Occasionally positions self to move an office item >10 lbs.

Frequently move about the production floor and office area to attend meetings or trainings

Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 75% of the time

Frequently operates a computer, enters data into systems, verifies information, etc...