Program Manager 2 - Deputy Program Manager

Description

This Deputy Program Manager role sits on the Swordfish Portfolio, a multi-program effort supporting Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Department of the Air Force.

You will be the main leader for resolving complex program and technical problems, keeping cost, schedule and technical performance on or ahead of commitments.

You will work with the Portfolio Manager and program leadership on budgets, staffing, proposals and customer engagement, act as PM for some smaller efforts, and support business development.

You will build customer relationships, work across the Operating Unit and support functions, and bring an operational user view to development teams so obstacles get cleared quickly.

Responsibilities

• Run daily execution across several programs so work stays aligned with technical, cost and schedule baselines.
• Act as the primary problem solver for complex issues that span programs, and drive fast fixes through coordinated action plans.
• Track portfolio performance against standard metrics, then propose and carry out corrective steps.
• Serve as backup to the PM, including attending government and industry partner meetings.
• Guide and influence Space Command and Control development teams toward the strongest user experience, using modern software and systems engineering methods.
• Represent the user's view, mission thread detail and operational context for Operational Command and Control and Space Battle Management processes.
• Lead the team's part in Joint-Operator-in-the-Loop (JOITL) and other enterprise operator-in-the-loop events that feed back into capability development.
• With the Portfolio Manager, help build, manage and analyze program budgets, forecasts and EACs across several contracts or task order types.
• Work with Business Management to keep financial performance accurate and track risks and opportunities against contract and internal requirements.
• Find and push cost savings, margin gains and process improvements.
• Plan staffing and resources across projects, balancing program needs, skill sets and labor mix.
• Work with functional managers to secure the right people and resolve staffing gaps, and support workforce planning for onboarding, rotations and succession on key roles.
• Help plan and run proposals for captures, recompetes and contract modifications, making sure content matches what the programs can deliver.
• Pull together technical, cost, schedule, staffing and risk inputs, and help develop BOEs, schedules and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support customer meetings, program reviews, technical interchange meetings and working groups with SSC and other stakeholders.
• Prepare clear, data-driven status and issue briefings for internal and external audiences.
• Keep customer relationships strong through quick issue resolution, responsiveness and reliable delivery.
• Work regularly with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Management, Contracts, Security, HR, Quality and other enabling functions.
• Identify and manage risks, opportunities and issues, including dependencies between programs.
• Close action items and follow through on commitments made to customers and leaders.
• Support continuous improvement and carry lessons learned across the portfolio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business or a related field, with typically 8+ years in program or project management, systems engineering or a related area; or a Master's degree with 6+ years.
• Proven record of running programs against cost, schedule and technical performance while coordinating across functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including presenting status to leaders and/or customers.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance at the time of application, with the ability to obtain and maintain SAP access.
• Ability to work well with colleagues, customers and stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to see customers, partners and team members; anticipated travel is 20% of the time.
• Preferred: prior work as Program Manager, Deputy Program Manager, IPT Lead, CAM, Product Owner or Scrum Master on software-intensive or space C2 development programs.
• Preferred: experience supporting Special Access Programs (SAP) access.
• Preferred: proposal development, including BOEs, schedules, risk assessments and/or volume contributions.
• Preferred: ability to build relationships and influence across an Operating Unit and enabling functions.
• Preferred: familiarity with agile practices and tools such as Atlassian Jira/Confluence.
• Preferred: experience on complex defense or space programs, ideally involving Command and Control or Space Battle Management.

Conditions

Travel is listed at 25% of the time.

No relocation assistance is offered.

An active SCI clearance is required before start.

Internal codes: SPProgMgmt, COSpace.

Primary level base salary range is $161,100.00 to $241,700.00. This is a general guideline; the final offer depends on scope and responsibilities, plus experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The application window is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, and may be shortened or extended based on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• Depending on the position, possible overtime, shift differential and discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
• Annual bonuses reward individual contribution and let employees share in company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Health insurance, life and disability insurance, savings plan, company-paid holidays and PTO for vacation and personal business.