Program Manager III

Job Summary

The Program Manager III is a senior program management position. The Program Manager III has responsibility for ensuring the planning and performance of assigned complex programs throughout all phases of the program lifecycle. The Program Manager III is responsible for the cost, schedule, quality, customer satisfaction, and technical performance of assigned programs and for using that successful execution to drive future growth. The Program Manager III is responsible for effective customer communication and is able to proactively respond to the customer, and gain customer trust by meeting commitments and quality standards. The Program Manager III may be required to mentor and/or lead junior project or program managers. This position will be required to forecast sales, new business, and gross profit on their programs, needed to meet the operational goals of the business unit. The Program Manager III will direct program teams or Integrated Product Teams in achieving excellence in program execution through the use of Earned Value and other techniques to identify program issues and monitor program performance. Program/Portfolio value vary depending on the mix of programs.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Holds self and team accountable for high-performance standards and coaches the team to effectively manage changing priorities. Models expected behaviors.

Able to mentor more junior project/program managers.

Understands and effectively communicates program objectives to the team. Relates how the program supports the strategic plans of the Company and Business Area and fosters strategic thinking.

Leads the development of detailed project or program plans through the application of company Policies and Procedures and Program Management industry best practices.

Leads assigned program teams in accordance with specific program plans to achieve program delivery and quality goals.

Expert in Risk Management. Proactively prepares and interprets Risk and Opportunity analyses and financial reports to anticipate problems and take corrective action to prevent/mitigate problems, and plan for management reserves.

Working with finance, prepares forecasts of new business, sales, and gross profit for annual operating plans for assigned programs. Establishes program budgets and holds Control Account Managers responsible for adherence.

Advocates for and proactively identifies continuous improvement opportunities to meet customer requirements by fostering an entrepreneurial and collaborative workforce.

Builds, develops, and maintains close customer relationships, anticipates customer needs, creatively addresses customer issues, and continually pursues open communications to strategically expand the business.

Assures customer satisfaction in terms of product performance, delivery, cost and contracted scope as the primary point of contact for the customer.

Demonstrated ability to provide Business Area leadership and customer with sufficient detail of program performance, risk assessments, and identification of opportunities along with relevant recommended solutions needed to solve problems.

Coordinates with marketing personnel and assists in the preparation and implementation of marketing plans and proposals.

Applies strategic thinking to anticipate challenges, align program objectives with organizational goals, and drive long-term value while balancing near-term priorities.

In close partnership with Contracts, leads development of contract negotiation strategies with customers, suppliers, and affiliates to achieve financial objectives. Understands contractual obligations, communicates contractual requirements to stakeholders and ensures these obligations are met by proactively identifying and mitigating risks.

Plans and executes programs per contractual obligations, directly and/or indirectly managing the performance of multiple suppliers, affiliates, or peer organizations.

Conducts periodic internal and external program reviews to monitor program execution, keep management informed, and collect program performance feedback, risk assessment inputs, and identification of opportunities for improvement. Create, maintain and present Program Scorecards.

In coordination with Operations and Engineering, ensures design for manufacturability efforts and smooth transition to production for development programs occur as part of the program plan.

Working closely with technical managers, leads technical discussions, both internally and externally, to ensure all technical requirements are met.

Acts as a steward for all company policies and best practices to achieve program quality goals.

Perform other job-related tasks as assigned by manager.

Education, Experience, License, or Certification

Bachelor's degree is required.

Master’s degree preferred.

Has demonstrated experience in the applicable technical area or product line.

5+ years program management experience is required. MP® Certification or Equivalent is required.

Skills and Abilities

Critical thinker who is able to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information effectively and efficiently.

Ability to create and maintain constructive customer relationships.

Thorough understanding of industry trends and our customers and competitors’ strategies, strengths and weaknesses.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in applicable technical area or product line.

Demonstrated experience with leading teams through the five phases of the project management framework (Initiate, Plan, Execute, Monitor & Control, Close).

Demonstrated ability to complete projects or programs on time, within scope and budget while delivering a quality product to the customer with a high level of satisfaction.

Demonstrated future growth potential.

Models the required behavior to manage in accordance with disciplined internal processes aligned with industry standard tools; holds self and others accountable for the following: Earned value management, Program Planning, Risk Management, Requirements Management.

Demonstrated experience and thorough understanding of program budgeting process.

Thorough understanding and significant experience in negotiations, collaborative problem solving, conflict management, meeting facilitation skills, and applying tact and diplomacy with internal/external customers and foreign personnel.

Significant experience using contract lifecycle management process to review/approve contract changes.

Demonstrated experience and able to lead/mentor others in managing program scope based on customer requirements, expectations, and required deliverables (e.g., proposals, contracts, statement of work).

Excellent communicator both verbally and in writing, with demonstrated ability to create and give program management review presentations. Able to mentor others in effective communications.

Ability to lead program teams through influence and to mentor junior project or program managers to effectively lead through influence.

Demonstrated ability to work independently to build, guide, and lead an integrated product team and to effectively mentor IPT leads.

Proficient in the use of MS Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Visio, Outlook, and Project applications.