Program Manager - Defense

Ward Leonard LLC, 401 Watertown Rd, Thomaston, Connecticut, United States of AmericaJob DescriptionPosted Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 6:00 AMPosition Overview:The Program Manager will be responsible for the successful execution of government programs by maintaining adherence to budget and schedule requirements. This role requires interaction with internal teams, including engineering, procurement, and shop floor operations, while ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction. The Program Manager will also identify additional business opportunities through regular customer interactions.In this function you will:Understand and communicate contract requirements with multiple internal departments, including Sales, Production, Engineering, Purchasing, and Planning.Identify customer requests as in-scope or out-of-scope and respond accordingly.Understand customer applications, critical timelines, and potential program constraints.Assure adherence to program budgets by managing activities around contract deliverables.Ensure all committed deliverables are achieved on time, every time.Develop and maintain project schedules while disseminating pertinent information to customers and internal teams.Identify opportunities to increase revenue and profitability within the program.Manage internal communication through regular meetings with cross-functional teams tasked with performing contract deliverables.Report program status (budget and schedule) to stakeholders regularly.Conduct after-action reviews to identify lessons learned and corrective actions.Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as required.Basic (Required) Qualifications:Technical or Business Degree from an accredited university.Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a Program Management role for government contracts.Must be a U.S. Citizen.Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build long-lasting relationships with internal and external customers.Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task.Data-driven and problem-solving mindset.Self-starter with creative thinking abilities.Ability to travel overnight when needed (<5%).Preferred Qualifications:Current PMP (Program Management Professional) training and certification.Skills in customer service, project management, negotiations, problem-solving, contracts, and finance.Position Criteria:Ability to understand and communicate contract requirements effectively.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a team environment.Familiarity with government contract regulations and compliance requirements.Ability to travel occasionally for customer or project needs.Must be able to work in both office and manufacturing environments.Ability to perform basic physical activities, including sitting, standing, and walking within an office or manufacturing facility.J-18808-Ljbffr