C-21 CLS Program Manager

Akima, LLC•Huntsville, AL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The C-21 Program Manager provides overall leadership, performance management, and strategic direction for a roughly $30 million annual aviation maintenance and operations program covering CONUS and OCONUS locations. The role ensures compliance with contract requirements, regulations, financial targets, and customer expectations while leading multi-site teams and sustaining operational readiness. The manager oversees program financials, including budgets, forecasts, funding, cost controls, reporting, and invoicing. They administer contract requirements and modifications, proposals, pricing actions, deliverables, and customer issue resolution. Operational oversight includes aircraft maintenance, logistics, supply chain performance, readiness, depot-level work, major inspections, structural repairs, aircraft modifications, and specialized offsite maintenance activities. The role also oversees quality assurance, safety, audits, corrective actions, and safety-incident resolution. It leads and develops site managers and other personnel, engages with government customers and corporate leadership, and communicates program status, performance, and risks. Regular travel to CONUS and OCONUS sites is required, with flexibility to support emergent site needs and customer meetings.

Requirements

At least 10 years of operations management experience in an aviation environment.
Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
Experience working with USAF, DoD, or similar organizations.
Strong understanding of aircraft maintenance, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to travel to CONUS and OCONUS locations.
Must have a SECRET clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience managing contracts valued at $20 million or more.
Knowledge of FAR/DFARS, government contracting, and aviation logistics.
Experience with aircraft modification programs, the RED process, and quality systems.
PMP or equivalent program management certification.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and decision-making for multi-site aviation operations.
Ensure program activities meet contractual requirements, schedules, and performance standards.
Maintain relationships with government customers, including Contracting Officers, CORs, Program Office leadership, and base-level stakeholders.
Conduct regular site visits to monitor performance, support local leadership, and ensure consistency.
Oversee program budgets, forecasts, burn rates, funding levels, cost controls, reporting, invoicing, and financial compliance.
Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and mission readiness.
Ensure compliance with contract obligations, performance metrics, reporting requirements, and deliverables.
Lead contract modifications, RFPs, technical proposals, and pricing actions; serve as the primary interface for contract issues.
Oversee aircraft maintenance, logistics, supply chain performance, and operational readiness across supported sites.
Ensure consistent implementation of processes, procedures, and maintenance standards.
Support site managers and maintenance leaders in resolving operational challenges and improving efficiency.
Plan and oversee depot-level maintenance events, major inspections, structural repair programs, and aircraft modifications.
Manage offsite aircraft maintenance, avionics upgrades, paint and corrosion control events, and specialized repairs.
Ensure compliance with USAF and company safety and quality standards.
Oversee quality assurance programs, audits, and corrective action plans; promote safety and ensure timely reporting and resolution of incidents.
Support REDs and ensure professionally written submissions to the customer.
Lead, hire, train, coach, and evaluate site managers, maintenance leads, quality managers, and administrative staff.
Promote documentation of performance, behavior, training, and corrective actions, and support leadership development.
Attend PMRs, operations meetings, site briefs, and customer forums.
Communicate program status, performance, and risks to corporate leadership; develop solutions to customer challenges and implement process improvements.
Travel regularly to CONUS and OCONUS sites and support emergent site needs or customer meetings.