Emerge

Program and Strategy Manager - Naval and Defense Programs

Emerge$145K — $170K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 6+ years of experience in program or project management for complex engineered products, specifically in defense contracts.
  • Experience managing programs under federal acquisition requirements and collaborating with various departments.
  • Proficiency in managing contract cost, schedule, scope, risk, and deliverables in production programs.
  • Understanding of contract types, change management, and program financial forecasting.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Strong executive-level communication and negotiation skills with leadership in a matrixed organization.
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to translate complex information into actionable decisions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead cross-functional program teams by setting objectives and accountability measures.
  • Build and maintain relationships with Navy program offices and key stakeholders.
  • Act as the main point of contact for programmatic discussions and communications.
  • Interpret contract requirements and ensure compliance with regulations and specifications.
  • Manage various contract types and funding structures, including deliverable management.
  • Track and report on program performance metrics, including cost and schedule.
  • Identify risks and develop mitigation plans to safeguard program success.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
  • Retirement savings with employer match and profit sharing.
  • Employee stock purchase options.
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays, with additional leave programs.
  • Tuition reimbursement and performance-based bonuses.
Full Job Description
Undersea Program and Strategy Manager
The Undersea Program and Strategy Manager leads a major program across the full lifecycle and is accountable for customer outcomes, contract performance, and business results. This role serves as the primary interface with Navy undersea program offices, naval warfare centers, prime contractors, and other government stakeholders. The Program Manager integrates engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, contracts, and finance to deliver compliant products and services on schedule, within budget, and to technical requirements.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead a cross-functional integrated program team by establishing clear objectives, work plans, decision rights, operating cadence, and accountability.
  • Develop and maintain trusted relationships with Navy program offices, undersea warfare organizations, warfare centers, contracting activities, prime contractors, and end-user representatives.
  • Serve as the primary customer interface for programmatic matters; prepare for and lead program reviews, technical and schedule reviews, executive briefings, and customer communications.
  • Interpret and execute contract requirements under applicable federal acquisition regulations, contract clauses, statements of work, specifications, data item descriptions, and deliverable requirements in coordination with functional leaders.
  • Manage contract type and funding constraints, including fixed-price and cost-reimbursement work, options, incremental funding, deliverables, milestones, and change authorization.
  • Track and communicate cost, schedule, technical, supply-chain, and contractual performance; analyze variances and lead timely recovery plans.
  • Own the program risk and opportunity process, including identification, quantitative assessment, mitigation planning, escalation, and closure.
  • Control scope and configuration changes; evaluate customer direction, prevent unauthorized work, and coordinate requests for equitable adjustment, claims support, and contract modifications with Contracts.
  • Ensure timely and accurate completion of customer deliverables, reports, invoice or milestone evidence, and all records required by contract.
  • Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Export Compliance to meet applicable requirements, which may include export controls, cybersecurity requirements, supply-chain controls, and government property management.
  • Identify and lead corrective actions and continuous improvements that strengthen program execution and customer confidence.
  • Foster a positive, accountable culture consistent with core company values and perform other duties assigned by the Director of Program Management.

Required Qualifications
  • 6+ years of relevant experience in program or project management for complex engineered products, including significant responsibility for defense or other U.S. Government contracts.
  • Demonstrated experience managing programs under federal acquisition requirements and working effectively with Contracts, Finance, Quality, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain.
  • Experience owning cost, schedule, scope, risk, customer commitments, and contract deliverables for production programs.
  • Working knowledge of contract types, change management, government funding, proposal development, and program financial forecasting.
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, program management, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
  • Executive-level communication, negotiation, relationship-management, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead through influence in a matrixed organization.
  • Ability to translate technical, contractual, and financial information into clear decisions and recovery actions while maintaining attention to detail under deadline pressure.
  • Ability to travel up to 20% and engage regularly with Navy, warfare-center, prime-contractor, and supplier stakeholders.
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship and be able to obtain and maintain the security clearance and site/customer access required for assigned work.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Direct experience supporting U.S. Navy undersea warfare programs and established working relationships with relevant program offices, warfare centers, or related Navy laboratories.
  • Prior Navy program-management experience, such as service in a Navy program office, warfare center, acquisition command, or closely aligned prime-contractor role.
  • Experience as a Program Manager on a major defense development and production program, including customer reviews, contract modifications, and subcontractor management.
  • Active U.S. Department of Defense Secret clearance or recent eligibility for reinstatement.
  • PMP or PgMP certification; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt experience.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $145,000 - $170,000 and is commensurate with the applicant's experience.
A comprehensive benefits package is offered, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending and health savings accounts; disability, life, and AD&D insurance; retirement savings with employer match and profit sharing; employee stock purchase options; generous PTO and paid holidays; tuition reimbursement; performance-based bonus opportunities; and various leave programs.

About Emerge

Emerge is a technology company that provides a platform for shippers and carriers to connect and transact. The company's platform uses machine learning algorithms to match shippers with the best carriers for their needs, and provides real-time tracking and analytics to both parties. Emerge was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Learn more about Emerge
Size
200 employees
Industry
Founded
2017

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