Job Description

The Deputy Program Manager (DPM) for a Veteran program serves as the second-in-command to the Program Manager, providing senior-level oversight, coordination, and operational support across all aspects of the program. The DPM ensures continuity of operations, drives performance excellence, and acts as the primary point of contact in the Program Manager's absence. This role supports the delivery of high-quality, timely, and compliant medical disability examinations for Veterans across multiple geographic regions in support of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Key Responsibilities
Program Management & Operations
• Assist the Program Manager in overseeing the full program lifecycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout activities across all regions.
• Serve as acting Program Manager when needed, ensuring uninterrupted performance and stakeholder communication.
• Support the development and maintenance of core program planning documents, including staffing plans, risk management plans, and project schedules.
• Oversee day-to-day operational activities including appointment scheduling, rescheduling, and contingency management.
• Monitor and report on key performance metrics related to production, timeliness, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate preparation and timely submission of all required program deliverables and reports.
Personnel & Staffing
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and management of contractor staff across clinical, technical, and administrative functions.
• Assist in managing government onboarding and credentialing processes for all contractor personnel.
• Coordinate with training leadership to ensure all staff complete required training and certifications.
• Support personnel transition processes, ensuring replacements meet required qualifications and that appropriate approvals are obtained in a timely manner.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
• Partner with the Quality Assurance team to oversee audits of examiners and examination reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Support the development and regular update of the Quality Assurance Plan.
• Ensure all examination facilities maintain compliance with applicable health, safety, and accessibility standards.
• Assist in managing incident reporting, service recovery, and responses to government reviews.
Clinical & Technical Coordination
• Coordinate with clinical leadership - including medical, audiology, mental health, and occupational health leads - to ensure clinical quality and examiner network adequacy.
• Support monitoring and maintenance of the examiner network across all regions.
• Facilitate coordination for specialized examination types and modalities, including telehealth and remote examination options.
• Support implementation and maintenance of technology platforms used by staff and Veterans.
Stakeholder Engagement & Risk Management
• Serve as a key liaison to government clients and program stakeholders on operational and programmatic matters.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks; escalate issues to the Program Manager as appropriate.
• Support the development and maintenance of business continuity and emergency response plans.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with all applicable conflict of interest and ethics requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications
• Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field such as Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Program Management, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in large-scale program or project management, preferably in a federal government contracting environment and 18 years of overall relevant experience.
• Federal Healthcare Experience: Demonstrated experience supporting VA, DoD, or other federal healthcare programs; familiarity with VA disability examination processes strongly preferred.
• Program Management: Proven ability to manage complex, multi-site programs with diverse teams, multiple workstreams, and demanding performance requirements.
• Performance Management: Experience monitoring program performance metrics and implementing corrective action plans.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interface effectively with government clients, clinical staff, and subcontractors.

Preferred Qualifications
• Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
• VA/VBA Knowledge: Familiarity with VA's Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination process and related systems.
• Healthcare Network Management: Experience with healthcare provider network management, credentialing, and compliance.
• IT/Systems Familiarity: Working knowledge of technology platforms, information security requirements, and government IT compliance processes.
• Training Program Oversight: Experience overseeing large-scale training programs, including distance learning modalities.

Security & Compliance Requirements
• Must be able to obtain and maintain required government credentials and access.
• Must comply with all applicable information security policies, including annual security awareness training.
• Must adhere to all conflict of interest restrictions applicable to the program.

Working Conditions
• This position supports a nationwide program spanning multiple geographic regions.
• Travel may be required to support site visits, facility inspections, program reviews, and stakeholder meetings.
• Position may require availability outside of standard business hours to address urgent operational needs.